San Rafael Swell - Iron Wash

From I-70, take the Highway 24 exit and drive South toward Hanksville. The exit is approximately 10 miles West of Green River UT. Green River and Hanksville are the closest services to the East San Rafael Swell Area. While driving South on Highway 24, watch for turnoff on the West side of the road between mile marker 142 and 143. You will pass through a gate onto a dirt/gravel road. The road is passable for most vehicles but keeping a shovel in your vehicle to fill in any minor washouts is advisable. Follow this road to Lost Spring which you will be able to identify by its old wooden aqueduct. Just after the spring there is a fork in the road. The right fork will take you into the mouth of Ernie Canyon, Another great hike if you have the time. Follow the left fork until you come to another fork in the road. This time go right. Here you will find a stock pond. This is a great spot to park. From here there are two ways of getting to the wash. You can either hike back down the road and take the left fork which will take you to the bottom of the wash, or you can hike due South cross country. I recommend the later. It is much shorter.

Once you have reached the wash you are on the trail. As you follow the trail the canyon walls will begin to tower up along side of you. The canyon continues into the swell for about 4 miles and then begins to open up a little. As the canyon opens and the rock walls become black you have reached the end. However, it is possible to stay to the right and hike out through Ernie Canyon. This will add several miles to the hike so if you plan to do this make sure you have plenty of water. Iron wash is a very dry canyon. Most of the water seen in the wash come from infrequent rain storms. Therefore we recommend that you carry all of the water that you will need for your hike. Also, we found it very difficult to find our way to the top of Ernie Canyon. If you want to see Ernie Canyon we suggest you day hike in from the East side. The road from Lost Spring will take you there.

By Steve Mann
Steve Mann is the Editorial Director and a Co-Founder at GearReview.com.