VJ Trail, San Rafael Swell

While searching for a post on the VJ Trail in the San Rafael Swell, I realized that I had never posted this ride. The VJ Trail is a lesser known trail among the popular "color trails" in the Southern San Rafael. It connects the Orange Trail back to the wash it starts in and makes a nice loop. One benefit of this is you bypass the lethargic Blue or Green Trail and the road back to the parking area.

Waterfall Trail San Rafael Swell

The Waterfall Trail is a fun single track trail located in the South side of the San Rafael, also known as the Temple Mountain Area of the swell. This trail can be ridden from the top or from the bottom. Either direction provides a few slightly difficult obstacles and it's hard to say which direction is better or more or less difficult, but if I had to say,

Blue John Canyon Hike

Ever since hearing of Aron Ralston and his hike down this canyon where he became trapped by a dislodged boulder for 127 hours only to escape by cutting off his own arm with a dull multi-tool we've known we had to do this hike. Thirteen years later we finally did. I am unsure of the route Ralston originally took to get to the actual Blue John Slot canyon, but we ultimately decided to hike down the west fork.

Another Five Miles of Hell..Video

One of my favorite trails, but I often find myself asking why. It is difficult and should challenge most who attempt it. This video is from my second time riding the trail and it wasn't any easier the second time. We had a pretty large group this time and we were to run the Red Trail first as a warm up.

Eardly Canyon Hike, San Rafael Swell

Eardly Canyon has been on our radar since we hiked to the pool last year and it did not disappoint. It is near where we like to camp and ride so it can be a fun diversion from the riding. The hike to the pool and back is a leisurely 2 mile walk to the bottom pool known as Eardly Pool and back to the truck. The canyon hike we did this year added a long steep climb up

Eardley Pool Hike, San Rafael Swell

Eardly Pool is yet another great hike in the San Rafael Swell. My brother in law told me about this hike after he took a group of scouts there and it turned out to be just perfect for a short afternoon hike after our Behind The Reef ride in the morning.

Little Wild Horse Canyon Hike, Flash Flood

Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon in the San Rafael Swell is one of the most popular slot canyon hikes in Utah, and for good reason. The trail head is easily accessible and within a relatively short distance from the trail head the canyon narrows and the adventure begins.

Horseshoe Canyon Hike, Canyonlands

During our trip to Caineville this year, we took a day off from riding to hike the Horseshoe Canyon Trail in Canyonlands National Park. This trail is relatively close to Caineville as well as the San Rafael Swell and can be visited easily in conjunction with one of these two riding areas. The major highlight of this hike are the numerous Indian pictographs that can be seen along the hike.

Fixit Pass to Devil's Racetrack ATV Loop, San Rafael Swell

Another very popular loop in the San Rafael Swell, the Fixit Pass to Devil's Racetrack offers more great scenery that you would expect in the Swell along with a few challenging rock sections and great sites to visit along the way such as Indian Pictographs and a couple arches including the massive Slipper Arch.

Eyes of The San Rafael Hike, San Rafael Swell

Occasionally we like to take the time to explore some of the non-motorized trails in and around Utah too. Most of the trails we hike are within a short distance from our favorite riding areas or trails and can be done as a break or in conjunction with a ride. This hike is a very easy hike that nearly anyone can enjoy. It is on the way to Goblin Valley and can be explored in conjunction with the park

Five Miles of Hell Trail, San Rafael Swell

The name of this trail really is Five Miles of Hell, and it lives up to it's name. This is an extreme single track trail made by dirt bikes, for dirt bikes. It travels mostly over slickrock but frequently drops into deep sand washes that must be climbed out of again and again. Before doing this trail, make sure you are ready for a challenge.

Eagle Canyon, Devil's Racetrack Trail San Rafael Swell

This is one of the more popular ATV and dirt bike loops in the San Rafael Swell. It is a scenic ride with multiple places to stop and take in the sites. Highlights of the trail are Lone Warrior Pictograph, Swasey's Cabin, Eagle Arch, I-70 bridges, and the views from Eva Conover Road and Devil's Racetrack.

San Rafael Swell Dirt Biking Orange, Red, Blue Trails

The San Rafael Swell trails offer unbelievable scenery, technical obstacles, fast washes and a great variety of terrain. The Orange, Red and Blue Trails are located on the South or Temple Mtn. side of the Swell. Our plan was to start near the turn off to Goblin Valley State Park, ride up North Temple Wash and ride the Orange and Red Trails.