A very long time ago, before life as we know it, the earth was a violent place. Earthquakes and volcanoes were regular occurrences as pressure escaped from deep within.
During this time inner forces of the earth that we still don’t entirely understand, caused a huge dome of rock to swell. Over time rain and wind carved huge canyons that now attract hikers, bikers and canyoneers from all over the world.
Welcome to the San Rafael Swell.
The San Rafael Swell is a big place. Very big. It’s impossible to do an inclusive tour of “the Swell,” but I’m going to attempt an overview and suggest a few activities.
The Swell covers approximately 3,000 square miles. Wikipedia says, It “consists of a giant dome-shaped anticline of sandstone, shale and limestone that was pushed up during the Paleocene Laramide Orogeny 60-40 million years ago.”
Besides hiking, biking and canyoneering, other popular recreational activities include scenic exploration, study of geology and paleontology, ATV/UTV/motorcycle riding, viewing Native American rock art, backpacking, camping, wildlife viewing, floating rivers and a whole lot more.
There is enough history in the Swell to last an armchair historian a lifetime. Native Americans pre-date Europeans by thousands of years. Rock art offers a glimpse into the life they led. Burros, descendants of donkeys that escaped or were abandoned by early prospectors, run wild. Who knew they were so well adapted to such a harsh environment?
Opportunities are only limited by one’s interest, imagination and time. In addition, there are mining activities and ranchers with grazing rights. Like I said, it’s a big place.
The Bureau of Land Management is charged with managing the resources of the Swell. It’s a daunting task. There are wilderness areas, roadless areas, multiple use areas and areas that have been basically sacrificed in order to save other places. There are hiking and biking trails, ATV/UTV/motorcycle trails and scenic areas that rival any national parks have to offer.
It’s a special place. One could spend a lifetime exploring the Swell. Many have.
Regular visitors each have a favorite place in the Swell, as is apparent on heavyuse weekends like Easter and Labor Day. During these times every corner of the Swell is crawling with people. If you’re looking for solitude, busy weekends are not the time to find it. At other times one can sit on a rock overlooking the Little Grand Canyon (the Wedge) or other popular spots for hours without seeing another person.
The magnificent reef
One feature deserves mentioning above all others. If you have driven from Price to Green River, as we all have many times, off to the west as you get close to the interstate is a massive uplift of rock. This is the San Rafael Reef. It looks like a flat bed of rock was forced up on one side, standing it on edge. That is actually just what happened, although the process took millions of years. It is one of the most incredible geologic formations on earth.
Add the Reef to sheer rock walls, monoliths, pinnacles, buttes and canyons and you have one of the most spectacularly rugged places on earth. The bottom line, the Swell has something for everyone. You just need to find it.
If you go exploring, I’d love to hear about your experience. For specific information about the Swell, or activities popular in The Swell, contact the Price office of the Bureau of Land Management, located at 125 South 600 West in Price.
Recreation and Travel | Right in our neighborhood – the San Rafael Swell
Interstate 70, at Spotted Wolf Canyon, cuts through the daunting San Rafael Reef. STEVE CHRISTENSEN