New Favorite Route Through The San Rafael Swell

My new favorite Route Through the San Rafael Swell! Over the past few years, I have been exploring the San Rafael Swell as much as I possibly can. This is a look at my new favorite route through the San Rafael Swell.
Most of my trips enter the Northern part of the San Rafael Swell via Wellington or Huntington Utah. This time I hit the dirt outside of Ferron Utah and made my way down Coal Wash Road which leads to two of the best trails in the Swell. Fix-It Pass and the Devils Race Track. After turning out of the wash due to flash flooding I spend time trying to find another route. The scenery is absolutely stunning, and despite several setbacks, I end up having one of my favorite adventures ever.
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Gear We Recommend:
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Camp Chef Everest High-Output 2-Burner Stove
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BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
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[@donnlongstreet5110]

Good call on turning around - Happy wheeling!

[@BackroadExploration]

Likely would have been fine but better safe than sorry. I can always go back.

[@robertscranton8293]

Great camera work. Nice job. thanks for the tour

[@BackroadExploration]

Thank you! Love this route so much. Lots more coming in the Swell soon.

[@NigelNaughton]

The way the dark skies contrast with the backlight and how it lights up the desert is amazing!

[@BackroadExploration]

The scenery is next level in this area. Add in the sky and some blue skies it’s amazing!

[@enchiladasmith014]

I love The Colorado Plateau

[@BackroadExploration]

It’s pretty amazing!

[@parrotheadlasvegas]

Howdy from Price! I've only lived here for about 9 years, but I've spent some time on the Swell and it's a great place 😎 I took my Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic cruiser motorcycle from Huntington to Green River via the swinging bridge and while I don't necessarily recommend taking a cruiser on that route, it did it and I lived to tell the tale 😜 Thanks for the video and have a fantastic day 😁

[@BackroadExploration]

Sounds like an amazing adventure! Thanks for watching.

[@billtimmer2462]

Love the video, especially prefer the soundtrack of gravel under the tires.

[@BackroadExploration]

Thanks for watching! This trip was so much fun. I’m really enjoying working on part 2.

[@softroadingthewest]

(Wow I'm really behind in my KZbin viewing!) Great day out, such a cool drive. Awesome work capturing the beauty of the area, this was a pleasure to watch.

[@StacySalmans]

So many miles of trails and awesome views! Been going there since 1979 and still haven't saw but a small part of it. Thanks for sharing your experience. Smart move on going to higher ground.

[@BackroadExploration]

Each time I visit I see more and more places I want to checkout. Not to mention show my family some of the other incredible places I have already been. I want to get back as soon as I can. Part 2 is incredible. Should have it ready by Sunday.

[@Martya55]

Was great to run into you at the Napa auto store in Kanab.I went to look you up on KZbin and found I was already a subscriber.Thanks for the kind words on my build.

[@BackroadExploration]

Great running into you. So glad we got to chat for a few minutes. Your build is fantastic. I wish we would have had even more time to check it out.

[@christiansaywhat4492]

So cool man! I didn't have much interest in off road exploration until recently. Your channel has opened up my perspective to the landscape that I live in, which is right here in Utah too. You really help make it look less intimidating. Can't wait to get a rig going and head off into the dirt!

[@BackroadExploration]

That is awesome! Utah is incredible and the landscape and views of the backcountry are amazing. You will be amazed at how many incredible places you can see with a simple 4 wheel drive. What are you thinking of getting?

[@GrizzlyPath]

What a cool place to explore. I’ve never lived in a desert area so it’s nice to get to see some of these remote backroads. Looking forward to seeing more!

[@BackroadExploration]

There's nothing like it.

[@keithblackburn7516]

I had to check my maps and yeah you were in South Coal Wash before you exited out. We did that a last year and connected to Eva Conover trail which would have brought you out of the wash but not completely cleared you of other potential flash flood low areas on Eva. Better safe than sorry for sure. Beautiful area and exciting trails.

[@BackroadExploration]

South Coal wash is incredible. Glad I made the right decision even though it ended up being unnecessary. Overall it was so pretty and a ton of fun. I’d like to come back and do the devils race track.

[@keithblackburn7516]

@@BackroadExploration kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5bQd5qiisqir7s Not the video quality that you put out but maybe you can enjoy it. This dash cam footage (edited down to 46 minutes) with a bit of onscreen narration for Devils RT, Coal Wash and Eva. We ran the three in a single day traveling up from Moab and then back as the sun was ready to set.

[@darronfletcher1297]

I go by myself a lot as well. You could have made that climb, but you showed wisdom turning around. With other rids, you would have been fine, but you owe it to your wife to not take unnecessary risks. Your responsibility is to return home safe.

[@BackroadExploration]

💯 better safe than sorry and I can always come back

[@TsarTrail]

Great video. We love getting out in the swell.

[@BackroadExploration]

Thanks!

[@ForgottenWaypoints]

Coal Wash + Devil's Racetrack is probably my favorite route. It stinks that the wash was washed out. I've never seen it rough at all from Fuller Bottom all the way to Eva Connover, but I guess it's a wash so anything can happen (I remember Eagle Canyon when it was messed up from a flash flood). Good call to back track, you can always cross another day.

[@BackroadExploration]

I need to hit Devils race track this Fall as well as Black Dragon Wash. I was supposed to make it to Black Dragon on this trip but ran out of time.

[@johnlewis2624]

Glad you picked up a GPS unit to communicate with especially traveling alone or with the family, sucks on the cost and subscription required but well worth it if it comes to an emergency situation or even just to check in, remember the fella from 127 hour's would still have that ✋ if he had one lol.

[@BackroadExploration]

Totally agree. It's a really nice piece of mind. Especially when traveling with the family. I like that if something were to happen to me. Wyatt could easily activate it and get us help. I also really like having the flexibility to be able to veer off route without hesitation.

[@RVingwithG]

LET IT SNOW ! ! !

[@vertisce2845]

Welcome to my back yard! There's a ton to explore out there!

[@BackroadExploration]

It’s such an incredible area!

[@rael6_4wd]

Nice video. Utah is so beautiful. I’m hitting Valley of Fire this year. I think I’ll push a bit north east and check out some of the Swell too.

[@BackroadExploration]

I have driven past Valley of Fire so many times on the freeway. I need to jump off and check it out!

[@rael6_4wd]

@@BackroadExploration I passed through it two years ago on the way to a different place. It was so beautiful, I’ve wanted to go back ever since.

[@kyleloper6921]

Looking forward to part 2 and your thoughts on the satellite unit. Keep up the great videos.

[@BackroadExploration]

Part 2 is even better. Hoping to have it out next week. Might be longer as it’s spring break and we have a few things planned.

[@tommysimmons5266]

Try being a truck driver in the winter months coming over the summit, freaking snow all the time even with rain in the forecast

[@BackroadExploration]

💯 The people who have to drive it daily are much braver than I am.

[@dr.a006]

Snowing on Soldier Summit??!! No way. I’m surprised when there’s NOT snow there!😄👍

[@BackroadExploration]

For about 6 months you are 💯 right!

[@utahwanderlust700]

Yep, you found the famous Lower Eagle Canyon Crossing. We just took 17 UTV'S and ATV's through there last weekend. The widest rigs had the toughest time. Many vehicles have been rolled over there through the years, and several deaths. Good move not doing it by yourself.

[@BackroadExploration]

That first section up the hill was what had me the most worried fairly steep with the loose ground and not a lot of room for error so without a spotter it seemed like the right thing to do. I'd like to go back and try again or at minimum go the other direction and go down the steep hill vs up.

[@utahwanderlust700]

@@BackroadExploration That's a good idea. The road comes out near the top of the Moore Cutoff Road. First unlocked gate past the quarry.

[@philliphanvey6051]

Next time enter through Emery and go east.... there's some amazing Indian writings in the little canyon they're also farther on up there's some Spanish inscriptions right before the three ghosts at the Moore exit

[@BackroadExploration]

That sounds amazing I’ll check it out! Thanks for the tip.

[@SilasZoeBell]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on solo traveling. I use the same tire deflators, takes 1 minute to drop my tires from 30 psi to 20, which is as low as I go on my current street tires. What did you think of the Falkens?

[@BackroadExploration]

So far I am really happy with the Falkens. On my way over Solider Summit it snowed a ton and I was very impressed with how they handled there. They are comfortable off-road and I have not had any traction issues yet. Looking forward to doing some more testing in the mountains this spring/summer.

[@distilledfreedom1840]

Heading out next week solo on the bike. Hope I don't break down. I wonder if there is any off road recovery tow services nearby. Seems like most are down by St.George/Moab

[@BackroadExploration]

How was it?

[@distilledfreedom1840]

@@BackroadExploration No breakdowns. But should really get a partner..

[@stout_tossme7541]

Lol. I have only been to the Swell by Highway 6. But I live in Payson, so yeah

[@BackroadExploration]

It’s a little more driving headed to Ferron but worth it. You can also make it on dirt to that area from the highway 6 route.

[@stout_tossme7541]

@@BackroadExploration I have done the dirt route before 🙂 the first time was by accident. Lol.

[@tommysimmons5266]

What happened to people going to a auto parts store, really on line shopping

[@jojobball1]

Just your random cows standing next to the road in the middle of nowhere.

[@BackroadExploration]

Most BLM land is shared access where permits are granted to ranchers for grazing. I’m amazed at the amount of places I run into a couple of cows on the side of the trail.

[@jojobball1]

@@BackroadExploration enjoying your videos. Keep em coming

[@AstrophotoUT]

While I'm sure my explorer wouldn't handle a lot of the trails down there, I think I'm going to be planning a trip to the swell this year, awesome job dude

[@BackroadExploration]

So many awesome places you can explore in the Swell in your Explorer. I’d say you can visit 90% or more of it. This trip has one really narrow section that would be tight in the Explorer.

[@tyjferre]

Link to deflator you used?

[@BackroadExploration]

I have this one. I think they are a few others now that are even cheaper around the $12 range. amzn.to/3g0yzoo

[@myexplorenow]

We love the Swells area and there is so much to see and do. The dark clouds at 6:12 looked very familiar on one of our days there. Since you like the area so much, I thought I would share a really cool loop we drove to Reds Canyon. We took one side road marked in the video and it was awesome too. The loop takes you around much of the area south of the Interstate. Check it out if you want on our channel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIHMgYqHgdZjptk

[@steffenrosmus9177]

People like you ruin the last remote places on earth by posting videos here. Like the trappers 300 years ago telling stories of the wonderful land west of the Appalacians complaining 10 years later that it is crowded now. Enjoy it and do not tell anyone, that is what I do. I drove and hiked thru the swell long before you were born when I came over for vacation from Europe in the 1960ies. And there are some amazing spots in there you have not found😂😂😂