San Rafael Swell Wilderness Trailrides from Torrey Utah - 6 Days

San Rafael Swell Wilderness Trailrides from Torrey Utah - 6 Days -- The San Rafael Swell is 2,800 square miles of uninhabited wilderness--nearly two times the size of Rhode Island without a single human resident. The Swell is a gigantic bubble in the earth's crust which has eroded into a maze of deep, multi-hued canyons punctured by the mesas, buttes and pinnacles typical of the world famous canyonlands geography. Riders will explore intricate trails established by native Americans, herdsmen and outlaws during the day, then hear stories about these trailblazers while relaxing around the camp fire at night.

Always a high point of the trips are views of mustangs or bighorn sheep which occur, with rare exception, daily. From a deluxe basecamp riders will visit Red Canyon, The Penitentiary, The Chute, Muddy River Gorge, Chimney Canyon Gorge, Head of Sinbad, Courthouse Butte, Family Butte, Golden Gate, Twin Priests, Devil's Monument, Devil's Racetrack, Joe and his Dog, Sid's Mountain, Swasey Arch, Dutchman Arch, Saddle Horse Canyon, Cold Canyon, The Snake Dance pictographs, South Fork pictographs, The Blue Man pictographs, and more.

Detailed Itinerary
San Rafael Swell Wilderness

Note: This is a sample itinerary for two of several camps we may use. Each camp is unique and often offers more trails to explore than time will permit.

Day 1

Arrive scenic Torrey, Utah and check into your specified lodging--either the Capitol Reef Inn or the Chuckwagon Inn. Torrey is a town of a little over 200 population which is located at the junction of highways 12 and 24 near the west entrance of Capitol Reef National Park.
The Capitol Reef Inn is located on highway 24 at the west end of Torrey. The Chuckwagon Inn is located downtown one block west of our office. At 8:00pm meet at either the Capitol Reef Inn's Bookstore and Gift Shop or pool side at the Chuckwagon Inn for an orientation and final packing session with your trip leader and the trip's interpretative specialist.

Day 2

After breakfast, you'll travel a short distance down the road to our headquarters. Transfers will be provided as needed. Our headquarters are located on highway 24 in the middle of downtown Torrey. At our office and gift shop, we'll pack your gear in the camp 4X4, meet the remainder of the crew and your horse, then depart (9:00am) for our trailhead near Penitentiary Canyon or at the Head of Sinbad.
From the Penitentiary trailhead you'll ride to the mouth of Red Canyon, then to Tomsich Butte, then to Hondoo Arch, and then on to our basecamp at the old mining camp on Muddy Creek. From the Sinbad Trailhead you'll visit Locomotive Point, Devil's Race Track, Twin Priests and the Golden Gate before arriving at basecamp in Cold Canyon. Note: most days of the trailride, you should see mustangs or desert bighorn sheep. Mustangs from the Muddy Creek basecamp and bighorn sheep from the Cold Canyon basecamp.

Day 3

After breakfast and preparing lunch, from the Muddy Creek basecamp you'll visit Red Canyon Narrows, Courthouse Butte, Family Butte and Penitentiary Canyon before returning to camp situated under majestic cottonwoods along the picturesque stream. From the Cold Canyon basecamp you'll ride thru the Golden Gate to Bullock Canyon and the Blue Man pictograph panel, then on to the South Fork of Coal Wash and the pictograph panel there before returning to the hot showers and cold drinks at the slickrock canyon basecamp.

Day 4

Daylight at the Muddy Creek camp brings the prospect of visiting the magnificent Chute gorge and Chimney Canyon. From the Cold Canyon basecamp you'll ride to the pinnacles of Devil's Monument and Joe and his Dog, then on the return to camp you'll stop at the historic outlaw camp and mining ruins of the ZCMI mine. You should note that you will always arrive back at camp with plenty of daylight and time to clean up and enjoy hors d'oeuvres before dinner.

Day 5

From the Muddy Creek camp you'll explore the upper reaches of the Muddy Gorge where it meanders through the splendidly colored slickrock of Triassic sandstones. Mustangs are numerous along the stream where they come for water from their pastures in the deep side canyons. From the Cold Canyon location you'll ride to the Long Neck for views of Swasey Arch, Saddle Horse Canyon and upper Cold Canyon. After lunch, you'll ride up the McCarty Canyon trail to the head of Mesquite Canyon where a promontory point will provide a striking vista encompassing all the country you've covered during your trip.

Day 6

Departure day. After packing personal gear and breaking camp, you'll ride to McKay Flat via Red Canyon and the Grey Breaks. This route will take us to a favorite watering spring of the wild horses and furnish breath-taking panoramas of the country you've visited on your trip. From the Cold Canyon basecamp you'll ride the length of the Devil's Race Track to the incomparable Snake Dance pictograph panel. At the McKay Flat or the Snake Dance panel you'll exchange your saddle seat for the cushioned comfort of a vehicle ride over the San Rafael Swell to Torrey, Utah. You'll arrive Torrey late afternoon.

HORSERIDER'S PACKING LIST

CAMPS: Our trips feature tent camping at primitive sites and are supported by 4 WD vehicles. Our camp wagons allow us to furnish cooking, eating and shower tents, chairs and commode as well as feed for our horses. Guests stay in small tents for single or double occupancy. A base camp is the setting for most rides. We recommend that you: 1) pack as light as possible, 2) pack practically and with a utilitarian eye, and, 3) pack so you may layer clothing for warmth. We will provide each guest with water-proof gear bags for personal items. Participants on our trailrides will be assisted with final packing during the pre-trip orientation, the evening prior to departure--see confirmation letter for details.

OTHER INFORMATION:
Suitability

While no previous riding experience is required, participants should be in good health and physical condition. And although the minimum age of eight years is required, the important point you should understand is that we don't want to put any participant in a situation which they are physically or emotionally unable to handle. An appreciation of the outdoors is the only prerequisite for joining a trip.
Our trailrides are limited to 10 or 12 participants, depending on destination. Our trips are designed for horse lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. We pride ourselves in giving experienced riders the challenge and pace they desire without abusing the horses, and in giving wilderness seekers the untraveled and scenic backcountry they relish. Our high guide to guest ratio allows us to divide into groups by ability and interest when time and logistics allow.
It should be noted that although our trips are designed to accommodated hikers as well as riders, if you plan to combine both activities, let us or your travel consultant know so they may plan for appropriate personnel and horses before the last moment.

Tipping

Tipping is always optional and a personal decision on your part, based on your overall experience. A guide is rewarded by the opportunity to show you a beautiful area and to share your vacation with you. However, a financial gesture of appreciation will be well received! If you do choose to pass along a gratuity, it is appropriate to direct it toward the trip leader who is responsible for distribution. The industry standard is 10-20%.

Inclusions

-all meals from lunch on day two through lunch on the last day with special diets accommodated
-the first night lodging in Torrey, and with transfer package, post-trip lodging in St. George
-ground transportation from Torrey or St. George, and return
-complete outfitting with deluxe basecamp including cooking and dining tents, showers and chairs
-canvas sleep tent with choice of one or two person, or family occupancy
-sleeping bag and six inch foam sleeping pad or cot
-water bottles, saddle bags and quality tack
-daily guided horseback riding or hiking
-seasoned mountain horses for novice or experienced riders
-guides/wranglers, cook, camp jack and interpretive specialist well versed in canyonlands social and natural history

Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 800-961-7375.