Mussentuchit Wash | Western Swell

Hiking Mussentuchit Wash - Western Swell Hiking Mussentuchit Wash

Western Swell

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Overview

Sat A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny. High near 75, with temperatures falling to around 70 in the afternoon. South wind 2 to 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
75° | 53°
Sun Rain showers before 9am, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 67. South southeast wind 13 to 29 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
67° | 53°
Mon A chance of rain showers before noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64.
64° | 49°
Tue Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.
59° | 45°
Wed A slight chance of rain showers before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
59° | 40°
View Full Forecast
RATING: Easy Hike
SEASON: Fall, Winter, Spring (When roads are dry)
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: None
Sat A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny. High near 75, with temperatures falling to around 70 in the afternoon. South wind 2 to 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
75° | 53°
Sun Rain showers before 9am, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 67. South southeast wind 13 to 29 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
67° | 53°
Mon A chance of rain showers before noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64.
64° | 49°
Tue Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.
59° | 45°
Wed A slight chance of rain showers before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
59° | 40°
View Full Forecast
hikerock artdog friendlyfamily friendlybeginneraccess: high clearance
The Mussentuchit Wash Panel.
The Mussentuchit Wash Panel.

Mussentuchit Wash is often visited for the petroglyph panel on its rim. The panel is fairly large, with a mix of several distinctive styles of rock art over several different periods. The shapes and symbols are quite a mix, and fascinating to ponder.

We found the panel a treat to visit but found the gorge that the wash cuts through this part of the San Rafael Swell to be equally fascinating. The geology of this section of the wash is a mix of Curtis Formation sandstone on top of grey basalts with areas of Entrada sandstone. As the wash cuts a path through the layers, the colors and textures that are visible are quite striking. A loop hike visiting the panel, gorge, and looping back near Sand Cove Spring makes for an excellent 2 to 3 hour outing.

Note: The loop hike requires a little bit of navigation skill, but, more importantly, it requires minimal impact hiking skills. If doing the loop hike, be mindful of hiking on durable surfaces (rocks, wash, etc..) when possible, to avoid create social trails across the flats.
Mussentuchit Wash Gorge
Mussentuchit Wash Gorge

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