Swett and Woodruff Canyons | Trachyte

Hiking Swett and Woodruff Canyons - Trachyte Hiking Swett and Woodruff Canyons

Trachyte

Overview

RATING: Class 4

Sat

Mostly sunny. High near 45, with temperatures falling to around 41 in the afternoon. South southwest wind 2 to 9 mph.

45 | 26

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. North northwest wind around 7 mph.

45 | 29

Mon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.

42 | 27

Tue

Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

44 | 27

Wed

Sunny, with a high near 43.

43 | 26

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any, although can be cold wading in the winter.
GEAR: 10 m ( 33 ft. ) rope useful for beginners and dogs.
WATER: Typically a small flowing stream in Woodruff and Trachyte, pools and seeps in Swett.
FLASHFLOOD: Low / Moderate

Sat

Mostly sunny. High near 45, with temperatures falling to around 41 in the afternoon. South southwest wind 2 to 9 mph.

45 | 26

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. North northwest wind around 7 mph.

45 | 29

Mon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.

42 | 27

Tue

Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

44 | 27

Wed

Sunny, with a high near 43.

43 | 26

View Full Weather Details
Hoskinnini Monument near Swett/Trachyte confluence.

Hoskinnini Monument near Swett/Trachyte confluence.

Swett and Woodruff canyons, although neighbors, have very different characters.

Woodruff, at least the lower half, is riparian with large cottonwoods, willows, small waterfalls, and an intermittent stream, The scenery in Woodruff tends to be open, with low canyon walls and short narrow sections. Canyon walls here are generally Wingate sandstone, and take the shape of large domes and rounded top walls.

Swett, in contrast, starts out with shallow Navajo narrows, then opens into a lovely valley with nice views of the Little Rockies and La Sal mountains. The valley gives way to a quickly deepening Wingate canyon. The narrows in the section are deeper, and sublime.

The Swett/Woodruff loop is a long one, about 17 miles round trip. Although it can be done in a long day, the availability of water and tranquility of the area lend itself much better to a 2 day backpack. For those wanting a short day, going down either canyon from the top as far as comfortable and returning makes for a great day out. Suprisingly, given the easy access and proximity the the highway, it feels remote and seldom trodden.

Morning light in upper Swett

Morning light in upper Swett

Full Details

To help keep the riff-raff out, and encourage participation, you must login to see the details.

Login For Full Details!

- OR if you are not yet registered -

Register
(It is free and easy.)

Comments

Want to make a comment? Login and let yourself be heard.