San Rafael Swell - Swaseys Leap (2006)

hatchcanyon

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This is an old story out of 2006. Pictures are scanned analog slides (grainy!) with limited quality. Therefore the size is limited too.

There were stories in a book and a black and white picture from the Lower Black Box of the San Rafael River and an old sheep bridge. (We got a glimpse of the Upper Black Box years ago on a trip from the river bridge towards Mexican Mountain.) Especially the tale about jumping over the chasm on a horses back :eek: made the place interesting.

Ranch Exit 131, Buckhorn Draw Road. After less than 4 miles at 12S 0534256, 4305470 we turn right onto a smaller road but do not drive to the culvert.
Swaseys_Leap2006_01_8.jpg

Sagebrush Bench

Down to the trailhead means to navigate through a lot of different roads and trails. A list of coordinates and what to do there:

- after 2 Miles at 12S 0537491, 4306554 turn left (Jerrys Flat)
- more than half a mile at 12S 0536943, 4307356 turn right to Rattlesnake Reservoir. Do not turn right at the next juction after a mile.

Swaseys_Leap2006_02_8.jpg


- at 12S 0537991, 4308199 straight ahead
- at 12S 0539083, 4310129 turn right
- at 12S 0541564, 4310148 turn left
- at 12S 0541982, 4312641 straight ahead

Swaseys_Leap2006_03_8.jpg

Rain

- at 12S 0541259, 4313764 turn right
Now you are on a Jeep trail leading to the trailhead (2.25 miles)

Swaseys_Leap2006_04_8.jpg

Trailhead

The length of the foot trail to Swaseys Leap is approximately 4 miles one way.

Swaseys_Leap2006_06_8.jpg

Still something like a road but closed to motorized traffic

Swaseys_Leap2006_07_8.jpg

Mexican Mountain

Swaseys_Leap2006_08_8.jpg

Point of no return

There is a second barrier that blocks the old road. On USGS Topo Maps it still run down to some point 120 feet above the river.

Swaseys_Leap2006_09_8.jpg

Behind the bench but in front of the peaks in background San Rafael River is running.

Swaseys_Leap2006_10_8.jpg

San Rafael River Canyon south of Mexican Mountain

Swaseys_Leap2006_11_8.jpg

Mexican Mountain base cliffs

Swaseys_Leap2006_12_8.jpg

Mexican Mountain

Swaseys_Leap2006_14_8.jpg

At the end of the closed 4WD road

Swaseys_Leap2006_15_8.jpg

Lower Black Box crevice

Swaseys_Leap2006_16_8.jpg

Black Box and some cliffs of the reef

Swaseys_Leap2006_17_8.jpg

Lower Black Box

Swaseys_Leap2006_18_8.jpg

Standing 100 feet away there is still the fissure but one can't see it.

Swaseys_Leap2006_19_8.jpg

Some Sunshine!

Swaseys_Leap2006_20_8.jpg

On our way back to the car

Swaseys_Leap2006_23_8.jpg

Waiting for us

We didn't find the old sheep bridge. Later we learned it fell in 1999(?).

Swaseys Leap
 
I just walked this! I was circumnavigating Mexican Mountain and ran into that rolled over car. Great part of the Swell.
 
I could've sworn there was a thread on this site where people had posted photos of this car over the years in various states of upside-down and right-side-up, but I can't find it now. Anyhow, I'm catching up on trip reports from last year and here's how the car was sitting in May 2020.

IMG_1923.JPG
 
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