Mussentuchit Wash | Western Swell

Hiking Mussentuchit Wash - Western Swell Hiking Mussentuchit Wash

Western Swell

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

RATING: Easy Hike

Tue

Patchy smoke between 9am and noon, then patchy smoke and a chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 3pm, then patchy smoke and a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny. High near 95, with temperatures falling to around 87 in the afternoon. South wind 3 to 12 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

95 | 66

Wed

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Sunny, with a high near 95. West wind 7 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

95 | 64

Thu

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.

93 | 63

Fri

A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.

90 | 66

Sat

A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.

90 | 62

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SEASON: Fall, Winter, Spring (When roads are dry)
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: None

Tue

Patchy smoke between 9am and noon, then patchy smoke and a chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 3pm, then patchy smoke and a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny. High near 95, with temperatures falling to around 87 in the afternoon. South wind 3 to 12 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

95 | 66

Wed

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Sunny, with a high near 95. West wind 7 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

95 | 64

Thu

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.

93 | 63

Fri

A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.

90 | 66

Sat

A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.

90 | 62

View Full Weather Details
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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