Temple Mountain Loop, Swasey Cabin, Dutchman Arch and Head of Sindbad Panels, San Rafael Swell, UT


 

As I had some time on my way to Moab, I drove the loop trails around Temple Mountain in the San Rafael Swell. Those two trails around Temple Mountain have a 5/8 rating in one of the guide books, but besides some washouts, which needed some careful driving, there was nothing really serious. After I was back on Temple Mountain Road further north, I went through Rods Valley to Swasey Cabin. After a short visit there, I went to the Lone Warrior Panel close by and then to Dutchman Arch on the other side of I70. After leaving Dutchman Arch, I checked out the Head of Sindbad Panels and from there I went to the Temple Mountain exit of I70. This was a fun trip and I had excellent weather. I did not meet anybody all day.

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Coming from Hanksville, UT, I went left at the Goblin Valley turn off of UT24.
From there I went up on the pavement until I reached a lesser trail to the right.
That trail brought me to the mouth of Temple Wash. I went in there and followed the wash.
At the beginning it was an easy drive.
Temple Wash got more and more narrow.
Compared to last time, we drove here, it was definitely rougher. It seemed like there was a flash flood going through some time ago.
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Narrow spot...
...and interesting geological structures.
After some time, it got wider.
And I was able to see Temple Mountain.
After I reached a fork, I followed the left trail.
It went slowly up to a higher elevation.
Temple Mountain in the middle.
Easy trail...
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Temple Mountain coming closer. Just in front of me was a bigger washout, which is not visible in this picture.
Almost up at the pass. There was another road going up closer to Temple Mountain (maybe next time).
And then I arrived at the highest point.
Temple Mountain, which saw a lot of uranium mining...
Looking towards the other side of Temple Mountain.
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Looking backward towards Temple Mountain.
Nice view...
The trail is looping around...
Temple Mountain view from the trail.
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After some time, I reached a mining camp.
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Some nice leftovers...
Mining shafts all over in Temple Mountain...
After I went down from the upper level via a pretty washed out trail, I drove around the front side of Temple Mountain.
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I followed another trail, which was leading back to the backside of Temple Mountain on the other side of it.
Checking out the vicinity...
Going down the north side of Temple Mountain.
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Almost back down on the trail, which I came in though Temple Wash.
A look back on Temple Mountain.
From there I went north and followed a bumpy road back to Temple Mountain Road.
Temple Mountain in all it´s beauy...
Almost out...
I followed Temple Mountain Rd. for a bit and then went in left towards Rods Valley.
Going up Rods Valley.
And almost at Swasey Cabin.
I stopped there to have a look. We had been there a couple of years ago.
Swasey Cabin...
From there I followed the main trail until I reached the next fork. There I went left and arrived soon at the Lone Warrior Panel.
Lone Warrior Panel is still in a very good shape.
Vicinity of the Lone Warrior Panel area...
The panel is located at that wall.
One has to hike a bit, because the last, sandy part of the road got washed away.
Washed out road...
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From there I left and drove towards I70. The trail goes under I70 to the other side.
Not far away from there is Dutchman Arch. I had a short stop there.
The ongoing road leads to Devil´s Racetrack...
Backside of the arch...
And one more picture of the arch...
I followed a sandy road into Heat of Sindbad.
Not far from Dutchman Arch are the Head of Sindbad Panels.
Here the petroglyphs is in pretty good shape.
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I continued my way and went in the next side road...
At this wall are is the second Head of Sindbad Panel.
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The quality is not as good as the first panel.
From there I left via Reid Nelson Draw...
Locomotive Point to the left...
The trail was smooth...
And finally I made my way back to the Temple Mountain exit of I70.

Here one can also download a gpx file of this trip:

Tracklog: Temple Mountain Loop, Swasey Cabin, Dutchman Arch and Petroglyphs, San Rafael Swell, UT (702 downloads )

The following map shows the trail:

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