Singles Events Guide

Backpacking and Outdoor Recreation Group

This Trip will also be subject to weather conditions. If it rains the day of for Greasewood Draw or the day of or before for the Black Box we will not be able to enter the canyons safely.

This will be a totally awesome two day trip into some of the least known areas of the San Rafael Swell.

On Saturday starting at 2 pm, we will do the Upper Black Box. The Upper Black Box cuts over 300 feet into the Coconino Sandstone layer. Carved out by the San Rafael river that flows through the black colored walls that give the canyon its name. This is a short adventure that is so fun it will be on your list of things to do yearly.

After a 185 foot rappel (anyone who is afraid to rappel I can belay down from the top) to the bottom of the canyon, you follow the river downstream for a mile and a half. Boulder hopping and swimming are something that occurs regularly in this canyon. The most appealing part of this canyon is that it is 15 minutes from car to drop in point and 25 minutes from the end of the box back to your car. With all the water this is an excellent way to escape the summer heat.

We did this canyon last year in August and you can see some pictures here. (Requires facebook account)

http://www.facebook.c…
The second day we will head up to Greasewood Draw. This is a little known canyon located in the Cedar Mesa sandstone layer. Greasewood draw will require anywhere from 5-8 hours to complete. The entrance and exit from the canyon aren’t very bad and will only total about an hour of desert hiking. The rest of the time will be spent in the canyon. Greasewood is a pretty straight forward canyon. It has several rappels up to 50 feet and several pools of water. Wetsuits will not be needed for this canyon (at least not this time of year).

There is a great video, of Greasewood draw from when we did it in May, here:

http://www.youtube.co…
Nevermind how weird we are, Bruce brings out our crazy side. The canyon ends with a great view overlooking the eastern half of the San Rafael Swell.

I plan on leaving to go down there on Friday afternoon. There is a campground close to the Black Box and I will try to hog as many camping spots as possible. This is a very primitive area with no facilities. The nearest town is 24 miles away. For people who want to come down Friday night we will do something in the morning on Saturday morning. The black boxes are about 3 and a half hours from Salt lake city so if you leave at 9 am in the morning on Saturday you should make it there in time.

To get to the campground. Take I-15 south to Spanish Fork. Take the first Spanish Fork exit which should be labelled Highway 6 to Price. Stay on Highway 6 until you get to the second Price exit which will be Highway 10 to Castle Dale. Make sure to fill up with gas in Castle Dale. Leave Castle Dale and return the way you came. When you are leaving Castle Dale the road will make a left turn. Once the road straightens out watch your Odometer. After about one half a mile look for a dirt road that comes in from the right. Turn onto this road. The road is graded often and will present no problems or damage for a regular passenger car. Follow this road and the signs to Buckhorn Draw or the Petroglyph panel. After a total of 24 miles you will come to a pretty awesome petroglyph panel. There is a pit toilet here if you need to use the restroom.
Another four miles brings you to the San Rafael river bridge. The campground is right before the river and the bridge on your left hand side.

PLEASE CARPOOL. If you have a high clearance vehicle it would be great if you could bring it. The road from the campground to the Black Box can become interesting sometimes.

Things to bring.
-There is a small fee for the campground. I have never stayed there before so I am not sure what it is. Just bring a little extra cash.
-Harness- If you don’t own one, you can rent them from the U of U outdoor rec center.***
-Carabiner***
-Belay/Rappel device.***
***(I have some extra ones, but not enough for everyone so help me out here)
-Shoes that you don’t care if they get wet, the more sticky the better.
-I would prefer you bring a helmet but it isn’t necessary.
-Nalgene bottles if you have them or a Camelbak will do.
-These canyons don’t slot up to be super tight so you can wear just about any clothes without worrying about them getting ruined.
-All of your camping gear. aka sleeping bag, tent, you know camping stuff. I have some extra stuff like this too, so if you need to borrow just let me know.
-Girls with hair past their shoulders, please bring a scrunchy thingy to hold your hair back.
-Bring your own food.
-A little firewood, would be awesome.

Salt Lake City, UT 84109 - USA

Saturday, August 14 at 8:00 AM

Attending: 20

Details: http://www.meetup.com/backpackers-128/calendar/14185157/