Mussentuchit Wash | Western Swell

Hiking Mussentuchit Wash - Western Swell Hiking Mussentuchit Wash

Western Swell

Overview

Mon A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. South southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
94° | 67°
Tue A slight chance of rain showers before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. East wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
93° | 67°
Wed A chance of rain showers before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
87° | 65°
Thu Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
86° | 63°
Fri A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
88° | 64°
RATING: Easy Hike
SEASON: Fall, Winter, Spring (When roads are dry)
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: None
Mon A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. South southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
94° | 67°
Tue A slight chance of rain showers before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. East wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
93° | 67°
Wed A chance of rain showers before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
87° | 65°
Thu Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
86° | 63°
Fri A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
88° | 64°
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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