We’ve been trying to visit a lot of new places in Utah this fall since we’ll only be living here for at most another year, and while it’s hard not to go to the same places over and over again when those places are Moab, it’s paying off. Last weekend, we went to the San Rafael Swell on our way back from Westwater Canyon to ride the Good Water Rim Trail. As far as I can tell, this is a relatively unknown trail, and at least among my circle of friends, a relatively unvisited area.
You can see why.
The Little Grand Canyon of the San Rafael is probably the most spectacular place I’ve been in Utah and I’m hoping to catch a window to paddle it and the Black Boxes downstream…but in the meantime, here are some photos from the rim, and from the Good Water Rim trail.
Looking downstream through the Little Grand Canyon. The Buckhorn Wash bridge and San Rafael Campground are at the distant end of the photo.
Good Water Canyon near the end of the ride.
The views from the trail are like this for the entire 15 mile singletrack.
The San Rafael makes some crazy bends through this section and you can easily see where the river used to flow from the overlook.
Can’t really go anywhere in Carbon County without seeing this on the horizon.