Hiking Soda Basin
San Juan River
Overview
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Wed 98 | 69 |
Thu 96 | 70 |
Fri 98 | 66 |
Sat 101 | 66 |
Sun 102 | 66 |
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Wed 98 | 69 |
Thu 96 | 70 |
Fri 98 | 66 |
Sat 101 | 66 |
Sun 102 | 66 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
Views down river from Soda Basin
Between Comb Ridge and Mexican Hat, the San Juan River cuts deeply through the Paradox Formation, a limestone layer. This deep gorge is frequently visited by river runners, but is difficult to visit for non-river runners. The trail from Lime Creek to Soda Basin is about the only easy access hikers have to experience this deep gorge.
The trail, an old oil exploration road, follows along the river with excellent views of the San Juan and surrounding gorge. Because it is an old road, the hiking and navigation are easy. The turn around point, Soda Basin, has some old mining relics strewn about and is fairly interesting to check out.
Ledge Rapid
Getting There
The trailhead is reached by heading west out of Bluff toward Mexican Hat on US-191 for about 20 miles to milepost 25.4 on US-163 where a dirt road leaves on the south (left) side of the road. Reset your odometer as you turn onto this road.
- Mile 25.4 on US-163 ( 12S 601106mE 4117889mN / N37° 12' 07" W109° 51' 38" )
- 0.65 miles - Jct - Right ( 12S 601987mE 4117798mN / N37° 12' 04" W109° 51' 03" )
- 2.4 miles - Trailhead. There is decent primitive camping near the trailhead. ( 12S 603137mE 4115959mN / N37° 11' 04" W109° 50' 17" )
Old drill hole in the basin
Route
From the trailhead, the old road crosses Lime Creek. It can be a little tricky to find in a few spots, but once you find it across Lime Creek, it is easier to follow.
Follow it as it meanders along, heading up the San Juan River bank. About 3/4 of a mile from the trailhead, the old road crosses into the limestone layer and the canyon begins to deepen. A sandy campsite on the right here is known as Fossil Stop by river runners. The limestone around this area has fossils if you have a close eye.
From Fossil Stop, the old road continues as the gorge deepens. About 1.7 miles from the trailhead, the road rounds a corner and Ledge Rapid (class II) is visible just below in the river.
About 2 miles from the trailhead, the road deteriorates as you reach the old oil exploration area. From here, wandering around is your best bet. I have marked some sites on the map that I found interesting.
Return the same way.
Photos
Maps
| Trailhead |
12S 603137mE 4115959mN N37° 11' 04" W109° 50' 17" |
| Fossil Stop |
12S 604117mE 4115537mN N37° 10' 50" W109° 49' 37" |
| Ledge Rapid |
12S 605410mE 4115834mN N37° 10' 59" W109° 48' 45" |
| Old Well |
12S 605670mE 4116385mN N37° 11' 17" W109° 48' 34" |
| Old Structure |
12S 605603mE 4116383mN N37° 11' 17" W109° 48' 37" |
| Rock Chimney and Foundation |
12S 605660mE 4116485mN N37° 11' 20" W109° 48' 34" |