Ferron Box Panels |

Western Swell

Hiking Ferron Box Panels - Western SwellRoadside Attraction Ferron Box Panels - Western Swell Ferron Box Panels

Western Swell

Overview

RATING: Easy hiking.
MAPS: Molen, Ut;

Fri

Rain showers likely before 9am, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 59. Southwest wind 6 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

59 | 43

Sat

Rain showers likely before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

56 | 38

Sun

Sunny, with a high near 62.

62 | 35

Mon

Sunny, with a high near 70.

70 | 35

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 75.

75 | 41

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any, hot in summer
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: None, bring all you will need.
NOTES: The last 1-1.5 miles to reach the trailhead requires high clearance or 4x4. This can be walked if needed.

Fri

Rain showers likely before 9am, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 59. Southwest wind 6 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

59 | 43

Sat

Rain showers likely before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

56 | 38

Sun

Sunny, with a high near 62.

62 | 35

Mon

Sunny, with a high near 70.

70 | 35

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 75.

75 | 41

View Full Weather Details
Segregation Panel - Ferron Box

Segregation Panel - Ferron Box

Home of the Segregation Panel and Rainbow Panel, Ferron Box contains two of the most unique panels in the San Rafael Swell. Segregation Panel has 4 red figures, a black figure, and 2 more red figures, all in a line. Very unique! Rainbow Panel is a true work of art, with a rainbow type depiction that contains figures underneath it. The location of the Rainbow Panel, in particular, makes it difficult to photograph and also difficult to vandalize.

Though Segregation Panel and Rainbow Panel are the main draws, there are several other panels and petroglyphs in the area, including several sets of moccasin petroglyphs which I have never seen anywhere else.

Note: The hike described is careful to avoid private property. Please be mindful that the area very near to the panels is private (to the west of the panels). Though some descriptions continue down stream from the main panels, this trespasses on private land and is not recommended. Doing the hike as suggested will visit the best panels without encroaching on private property.
Moccasin Panel near Ferron Box

Moccasin Panel near Ferron Box

Getting There

From Ferron, UT, head east on 100 S (Molen Road). This is across the road from the Millsite Recreation Sign. Reset your odometer as you turn off main street and onto 100 S.

  • 3.0 - 4 way junction. Go right, toward Dutch Flat Desert.
  • 3.3 - Road turns to dirt.
  • 4.3 - Stay straight on main road through 4 way junction. The road begins heading east.
  • 5.6 - Stay straight (don't take the lesser right)
  • 7.5 - A side road goes off on the left up a steep hill. Take it, and reset your odometer.
  • 0.2 - Top of hill, and junction with roads going off in all directions.
    Option 1: Go right, then immediate left and follow this road 1.2 miles to the Loop Junction on the map. Stay on the most traveled road. It has a couple of rough spots, with a VERY rough and steep hill just before the Loop Junction.

    Option 2: Go left, then immediate right. Stay on the most travelled. At 0.7 from the main road, go right. 1.4 miles from the main road is the Loop Junction at the bottom of the steep rocky hill from Option 1. This road also has some rough spots, but is likely better than the steep rocky hill on option 1.

The description below uses the Loop Junction as the starting point. This road can be driven or walked.

Ferron Box

Ferron Box

Route

Rock Art and Historic Site Etiquette
Rock art and historic sites are fragile, non-renewable cultural resources that, once damaged, can never be replaced. To ensure they are protected, please:
  • Avoid Touching the Petroglyphs: Look and observe, BUT DO NOT TOUCH!
  • Stay on the Trails: Stay on the most used trails when visiting sites, and don't create new trails or trample vegetation.
  • Photography and Sketching is Allowed: Do not introduce any foreign substance to enhance the carved and pecked images for photographic or drawing purposes. Altering, defacing, or damaging the petroglyphs is against the law -- even if the damage is unintentional.
  • Pets: Keep pets on a leash and clean up after them.
  • Artifacts: If you happen to come across sherds (broken pottery) or lithics (flakes of stone tools), leave them where you see them. Once they are moved or removed, a piece of the past is forever lost.

To The Moccasin Tracks
From the loop junction, follow the road due west as it begins descending. After 0.5 miles, the road makes a right at a small grey hill. The Moccasin Tracks are off the road on the left here, in the obvious dark patina sandstone, laying flat on the ground.

To The Main Panels
From the first Moccasin Tracks, follow the road north for an additional 0.5 miles to a log fence and parking area. There are two moccasin tracks about 100' before reaching the log fence on the right, marked by a couple of cairns.

From the parking area, overlooking Ferron Box, hike along the rim and descend to the creek as soon as possible to avoid crossing private land. There is an emerging trail near the bottom. With binoculars, you can see several panels across the creek on private land from here. They are on the up stream side of the bend, where the river is directly under the cliff.

Follow the social trail on the east side of the creek. On the downstream side of the bend, the Segregation Panel and other panels come in to view. Rainbow Panel is just down canyon from Segregation Panel, but is high off the canyon floor. You may need to step back to near the creek to be able to see it.

To return to the parking area, follow the social trail to where the cliffs subside and it is easy to exit on the right, then follow the rim back to the parking area.

Return
From the log fence parking area, follow the road south 0.7 miles (staying on the most used road) to get back to the Loop Junction.

Final Panel
There is one more small panel to see near the Loop Junction. To see it, go south on road 2 minutes to a junction. Go left for a minute to a parking/camping area. There is a small panel in the boulders above this parking area with a social trail going up to it.


Maps

Route / 1.81 miles / Elevation Range 5,682 - 5,860 ft.
Printable Maps:
Loop Junction

12S 497643mE 4326152mN

N39° 05' 04" W111° 01' 38"

Panel

12S 496742mE 4326335mN

N39° 05' 10" W111° 02' 16"

Panel

12S 497204mE 4326979mN

N39° 05' 31" W111° 01' 56"

Log Fence

12S 497238mE 4326994mN

N39° 05' 31" W111° 01' 55"

Panel

12S 497239mE 4327108mN

N39° 05' 35" W111° 01' 55"

Panel

12S 497243mE 4327116mN

N39° 05' 35" W111° 01' 55"

PanelView

12S 497204mE 4327142mN

N39° 05' 36" W111° 01' 56"

Exit

12S 497175mE 4327240mN

N39° 05' 39" W111° 01' 58"

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