Riding and touring the San Rafael Swell has been a eye opener because of the many new and amazing trail systems we have discovered. The diversity and beauty of Utah is both staggering and amazing. The last couple of weeks we have been playing down in the swell. This is an area that i have driven by en rout to Moab and other more well know areas. It was an eye opener to ride into the heart of this amazing land form. This area is now day two of Back Country Adventure tours from now on know as bcat. You get the name of San Rafael because that is the river that flowes through it from the Manti La Sales to the west of the area. You get the swell because of the up lift of sandstone the river has carved its many canyons through, forming many spectacular canyons to travel and explore and also view the many panoramic vistas to gaze out from once you have wound your way to the top of the high canyon walls.
The Swell rises a thousand to fifteen hundred feet higher than all the areas surrounding it. as you enter from the north this is the one exception for hear you are even with the top layers. So as we enter a canyon here we enter a canyon that is born in the flat plains below chimney rock. As you make your way to the beginning of this infant canyon you will enjoy watching the walls grow ever higher the deeper in you go making you wonder if you will ever find your way out again with out turning and leaving the way you entered.
In these timeless canyons you will find the signs of the ancient people's of the past that have called these canyons home. They have left there mark on the canyon walls in the the way of paintings depicting there way of life.
In the heat of the summer you will welcome the opening of the canyon walls that is a sure sign that you are about to enter the oasis of the San Rafael River basin. With its many cotton wood trees and tamaracks and emerald green waters you will want to linger as the natives of old did.
The river is a good staging area for expeditions in to the many canyons beyond the river and its always an adventure finding trails that climb out of these walls to the panoramic vistas above. You will love where the trails will take you.
The Swell rises a thousand to fifteen hundred feet higher than all the areas surrounding it. as you enter from the north this is the one exception for hear you are even with the top layers. So as we enter a canyon here we enter a canyon that is born in the flat plains below chimney rock. As you make your way to the beginning of this infant canyon you will enjoy watching the walls grow ever higher the deeper in you go making you wonder if you will ever find your way out again with out turning and leaving the way you entered.
In these timeless canyons you will find the signs of the ancient people's of the past that have called these canyons home. They have left there mark on the canyon walls in the the way of paintings depicting there way of life.
In the heat of the summer you will welcome the opening of the canyon walls that is a sure sign that you are about to enter the oasis of the San Rafael River basin. With its many cotton wood trees and tamaracks and emerald green waters you will want to linger as the natives of old did.
The river is a good staging area for expeditions in to the many canyons beyond the river and its always an adventure finding trails that climb out of these walls to the panoramic vistas above. You will love where the trails will take you.
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