Mussentuchit Wash | Western Swell

Hiking Mussentuchit Wash - Western Swell Hiking Mussentuchit Wash

Western Swell

Overview

Mon A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. West southwest wind 1 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
94° | 64°
Tue A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
93° | 63°
Wed A slight chance of rain showers before noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88.
88° | 63°
Thu Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82.
82° | 60°
Fri A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
82° | 57°
RATING: Easy Hike
SEASON: Fall, Winter, Spring (When roads are dry)
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: None
Mon A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. West southwest wind 1 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
94° | 64°
Tue A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
93° | 63°
Wed A slight chance of rain showers before noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88.
88° | 63°
Thu Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82.
82° | 60°
Fri A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
82° | 57°
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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