Exploring a new zone is the beauty of bikepacking. Being able to look at a map and connect a number of roads coupled with some neat surroundings is an exciting experience, one that I wish I could do every weekend of ever year. Doing it every so often actually makes it more special, especially in a completely unknown area to me, so the wait is ok.

A few weeks prior to this trip, I went on a trip north of Interstate 70 near the San Rafael Swell, a underrated zone Northwest of Moab in my opinion. Many people only see the area from the highway, but what truly lies in the washes and canyons is bikepacking bliss. 

So it was a no brainer for Lindsay and I to go back and explore the area south of I-70 and see what it had to offer. For us who live in Colorado, this would be a farewell to our planned desert riding season, before we take out the fat bikes and skis for the winter. 

Planning The Route
Some routes are easier to plan than others. This one proved to be a bit difficult. I had an idea of what I wanted to do, but what seemed to be the main issue was running into dead ends where steep canyon walls fall hundreds of feet to valley floors. After trying to work on the route with Strava and Garmin Basecamp, I found myself using the Gaia App to map and create the entire route. This system worked well, especially when my Garmin died and I needed a GOS device to navigate.

We discovered two main terminuses of the route, one on the north end and one on the south end of the loop. You could start at either end of the loop. What we did was drop water at the southern most portion, near Cainville, and started at the northern most portion. In total the route would travel 146 miles with roughly 8,000 vertical feet of gain. We traveled in a counter-clockwise direction. The route travels through sandy washes, super straight roads, tight twisty roads, desolate canyons and areas with big views. 



The Trip

The San Rafael Swell
We left from the trailhead just east of the Interstate 70 at the Moore exit (116). We left our car there for the three day trip with no issues. We decided to start here, as temperatures were a bit chillier up at higher elevations.
The majority of the route is quality road, but there is a hand full of sections that were sandy, Including Cat Canyon around mile ten of the our route.
The majority of the route is on quality road, but there are a handful of sections that were sandy – including Cat Canyon around mile ten of the route.
Plus size tires proved to be the superior tire size in the washes.
Plus size tires proved to be the superior tire size in the washes. 27.5+ on the left, 29er on the right.
Looking at the map it showed there was potential for water, but we planned around there not being any. This was south Salt wash, but in November, I would trust it most times of the year.
Looking at the map it showed there was potential for water, but we planned around there not being any. This flow was from South Salt wash (route mile 20). For it being November, I would trust this source most times of the year. (update as of June 2017, South Salt wash was not flowing. Do not trust as a water source)  A few miles down the road is Muddy Creek, another quality water source, just a bit silty (route mile 23).
This is seriously desolate country, We did not see anyone all day besides a bunch of cows.
This is seriously desolate country. We did not see anyone all day besides a bunch of cows and one truck with a father and son exploring the area.
Lunch stop!
Lunch stop!

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For early November in this region, it was really nice, but the sun being out played a big role in us remaining warm in our tees.
For early November in this region was really nice, but the sun being out played a big role in us remaining warm in our tees.
More descending on open roads. We were waiting for hidden power climbs, but they were few and far between.
More descending on open roads. We were waiting for hidden power climbs, but they were few and far between.
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As we started to approach Capitol Reef the views became pretty awesome.

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As the night was starting to fall on us, the Moon rose, It would be close to a full moon, and it certainly looked bigger than normal.
Moonrise on night one as the temps dropped quickly. We were one day away from the super moon – what a great time to be out.

Have you heard of Good To Go Foods? Delicious bikepacking food.

Good morning Utah!
Good morning Utah!
The first day we made it roughly 56 miles and camped right off Cainville Wash Road. We saw two people in one car after the first 5 miles of the day.
The first day we made it roughly 56 miles and camped right off Cainville Wash Road.
Lindsay brushing the teeth getting ready for another big day on the bike.
Lindsay brushing the teeth getting ready for another day on the bike.
One of many awesome sights along the route, Temple of the Sun and Moon.
One of the many awesome sights along the route, Temple of the Sun and Moon.
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Saying goodbye to Cathedral Valley.
We dropped water off Caineville Wash Road, right where the route turned off to head back north. We were happy we dropped water, but could have relied on a few sources on route.
We dropped water off at Caineville Wash Road, right where the route turned to head back north. We were happy we dropped water, but could have relied on a few sources on route. We accessed this road by taking HWY 25 into Caineville.
As the route took north, we would ride along the san Rafael Reef to our west and neat canyons formations to our south and east.
As the route took north, we rode with the San Rafael Reef to the west and neat canyon formations to the south and east.
Passnig Muddy Creek on the east side of the route proved to be a bit more difficult, no bridge. It was refreshing to say the least.
Passing Muddy Creek on the east side of the route proved to be a bit more difficult with no bridge, however, it was refreshing to say the least.

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As we got close to Goblin State Park, we were surprised to ride pavement. It was a nice change of pace, especially as the sun was setting and we wanted to get to Temple Mountain Road to camp for the night.
As we got close to Goblin Valley State Park, we were surprised to ride pavement. It was a nice change of pace, especially since the sun was setting and we wanted to get to Temple Mountain Road to camp for the night.
The moon was a spectacle all night.
The moon was a spectacle all night.
We found a great campsite off of Temple Mountain road, another day in the books. (mile 116)
We found a great campsite off of Temple Mountain road. Another day in the books (mile 116).

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Our first glance of temple mountain was truly stunning, and a surprise to say the least.
Our first glance of Temple Mountain was truly stunning, and a surprise to say the least.
When it warms up, it warms up. Time to shed the layers.
When it warms up, it warms up. Time to shed the layers.
Turning our back to Temple Mountain, stunning.
Turning our back to Temple Mountain, stunning.
Each and every turn shared a new view, a new experience, and an new challenge, Thats the beauty of making your own route. It leaves you with plenty of unknowns, which is a wonderful thing.
Each and every turn shared a new view, a new experience, and a new challenge. That’s the beauty of making your own route. It leaves you with plenty of unknowns, which is a wonderful thing.
We climbed steadily from Temple Mountain to Eagle Canyon. We anticipated more climbing since we experiences what seemed like endless descending on the front end of our trip. Right then was when we realized this was the direction to take on this route.
We climbed steadily from Temple Mountain to Eagle Canyon. We anticipated more climbing since we experienced what seemed like endless descending on the front end of our trip. Right then was when we realized this was the direction to take on this route.
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99% of the route is on BLM land.
Eagle Canyon is a hidden gem, and a great way to end the trip.
Eagle Canyon is a hidden gem, and a great way to end the trip.
We knew we were close when we crossed under Interstate 70
We knew we were close when we crossed under Interstate 70.
One last hike a bike before the car. I was pretty impressed we were able to comple this route in the time we did. It was not easy, with the lack of day light, sand, and the unknown, A big thanks to my travel companion, Lindsa, It was an Awesome experience Bikepacking The San Rafiel.
One last hike a bike before the car. I was pretty impressed we were able to complete this route in the time we did. It was not easy with the lack of day light, sand, and the unknown. A big thanks to my travel companion, Lindsay. It was an awesome experience bikepacking The San Rafael.
Mile 146, time for a beer!
Mile 146, time for a beer and cold pizza!

18 Comments

  1. Pingback: Bikepacking in the San Rafael Swell: Part One – Into the Outdoors

  2. Pingback: Bikepacking the San Rafael Swell and Capitol Reef—Part One – Into the Outdoors

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