Hype:

Named the Little Grand Canyon, the San Rafael river carves an impressive gorge as it flows about 18 miles from Fuller Bottom in the west to the San Rafael bridge. This impressive canyon can be easily viewed from the Wedge Overlook, but to fully experience it's grandeur and scale, it is best to spend a day or two traversing it from top to bottom. There are several options for making the 18 mile journey. The easiest is to float the river, however, this option is only available for 2-3 weeks every spring when the spring run-off peaks. The rest of the year, you are relegated to traveling by foot or horseback. If you are floating, or traveling by horseback, this is relatively easy trip to do in a day. If you are hiking, it is a long day, and likely best done as a backpack. The route description gives some suggestions for the best camp spots along the way. If doing an overnight trip, please practice minimum impact camping techniques.

If floating, you need a CFS of at least 100 to pass with a lightly loaded canoe. 150+ CFS is better. At 500+ CFS, you will have a very easy, fast float. The river is rated Class 1+, and has only a few small riffles and obstacles to avoid. This is suitable for beginning boaters with a little experience. Keep a sharp eye out for trees and other debris that can block the river.

If traveling by horseback or foot, check the river before setting off. It should be below 50 CFS for easiest travel. Above that level, crossing could be difficult.

Trailhead:

Take highway 10 south out of Price for about 28.2 miles. Just before the town of Castle Dale, at milepost 39.4, go east on the signed San Rafael Swell Access road. Reset your odometer as you turn off the highway onto the dirt road. As you travel east on the dirt road, you will pass an information kiosk at 0.1 miles. Continue on this road, passing a cattle guard after 12 miles, and reaching a 4 way junction at 12.7 miles.

End of the Hike Trailhead
To leave a car at the takeout, continue east at this 4 way junction for 2.4 miles to the signed Buckhorn Wash road. Go right (south), heading down Buckhorn was as it deepends. There is a great pictograph panel 1/2 way down on your left that is signed and makes a nice stop. It is about 9.6 miles from the top of Buckhorn Wash to the bridge. Park on the south side on the bridge in a small fenced area on the left if you are floating (this is the takeout). If you are traveling by foot or horseback, continue past the bridge 0.4 miles to a road on the right. Take this well travelled road 0.8 miles to its end at a parking area and trailhead.

Start of the Hike Trailhead
From the 4 way junction, reset your odometer and go right (south) on the road signed The Wedge/Fuller Bottom. After 0.5 miles, go right on a small road signed Fuller Bottom. Follow this road, passing a corral at 1.0 miles and a cattle guard at 1.2 miles. At 5.5 miles, you will reach a parking area and information kiosk right before the road descends into the San Rafael River. Park here. If hiking or going by horse, follow the road down and across the river to begin the trail. Boaters can put in anywhere that is convenient.

Route:

If traveling by foot or horseback, the trail starts across the river, on the south side. It is easy to follow, and well traveled. Expect to cross the river many times, especially early on.

As you travel down canyon, keep an eye out on the left for an old tailing pile and mine. This is the Sorel Mine. Continue down from the mine until Virgin Spring Canyon comes in on the right. This area has good spots for camping, a spring and pool are about 15 minutes up from it's mouth. Please clean-up any garbage you find, this area is starting to show impacts from the many backpacker and boaters. This mouth of Virgin Spring is littered with recent graffiti, please do not add to it. There are supposedly some pictographs up canyon on the right about 10-15 feet off the canyon floor, but we could not locate them on our trip.

From Virgin Spring Canyon down, you are in the deepest parts of the gorge. High on your left (looking down canyon) is The Wedge Overlook. This stretch of river is amazing, and punctuated by a large wall on your right with a small window in it. At this point the river swings north, then around a bend and back south. The next side canyon on your right is Cane Wash.

Cane Wash is another great area to camp in. If you are filtering river water, let it sit in a container to settle out before running through a filter. There is a nice pictograph panel 3 minutes up Cane Wash on the left, and exploring up canyon as far as you like makes a nice diversion.

From Cane Wash, you are in the home stretch, with only a few miles left. When Bottleneck Peak becomes visible on your right, the end is near. If you are on foot or horseback, you will end at the parking area. By boat, continue down until you seen the San Rafael Bridge, this is the takeout.

Photos:

Maps:

Download map(s): Map 1 Map 2 Map 3

My History:

I've hiked up from the bridge several times over the years, but finally floated the entire section in the spring of 2009. It was one of the most enjoyable days in the desert I've had.

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