Swasey's Cabin |

Central Swell

Roadside Attraction Swasey's Cabin - Central Swell Roadside Attraction Swasey's Cabin
Central Swell

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

Overview

RATING: Roadside Attraction
LENGTH: 1+ hours
MAPS: SAN RAFAEL KNOB, UT

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 30. Wind chill values as low as 4. West northwest wind 10 to 18 mph.

30 | 16

Mon

Sunny, with a high near 35.

35 | 15

Tue

Mostly sunny, with a high near 43.

43 | 20

Wed

A chance of snow showers.  Partly sunny, with a high near 47.

47 | 29

Thu

A chance of snow showers.  Partly sunny, with a high near 41.

41 | 27

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any, though summers can be hot. Roads can be impassable if there is much snow.
WATER: None

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 30. Wind chill values as low as 4. West northwest wind 10 to 18 mph.

30 | 16

Mon

Sunny, with a high near 35.

35 | 15

Tue

Mostly sunny, with a high near 43.

43 | 20

Wed

A chance of snow showers.  Partly sunny, with a high near 47.

47 | 29

Thu

A chance of snow showers.  Partly sunny, with a high near 41.

41 | 27

View Full Weather Details
Abby checking out the cabin

Abby checking out the cabin

The Swasey brothers, Joe, Sid, Charley, and Rod, were some of the early cattlemen that explored the San Rafael Swell while running cattle there in the late 1800s and early 1900s. You find their names on many features in the Swell such as Sid and Charley Tower, Joe and His Dog, Sid's Leap, etc. The stories and places they have roamed have given them a larger than life persona in my mind. It is hard to imagine wandering the Swell when it was so remote and little known.

In 1921, Joe Swasey built what is known as Swasey's Cabin in the heart of the Swell. The cabin was to be used as shelter by the Swasey's and other cowboys when running cattle in the area. Almost 100 years later, the cabin still stands in its picturesque spot near Broken Cross Tower. It is a fascinating historical place to visit.

The picturesque setting of Swasey's Cabin

The picturesque setting of Swasey's Cabin

Getting There

Take exit 131 from I-70 (about 30 miles west of Green River). Go south off the freeway.

  • Reset your odometer at the cattleguard after getting off I-70. ( 12S 529653mE 4303574mN / N38° 52' 50" W110° 39' 29" )
  • 3.95 miles - Turn right. Signed Swasey Cabin. ( 12S 525563mE 4299464mN / N38° 50' 37" W110° 42' 20" )
  • 5.0 miles - T-Junction, go right. ( 12S 524103mE 4298697mN / N38° 50' 12" W110° 43' 20" )
  • 6.7 miles - Good side road on the left. STAY RIGHT. ( 12S 521720mE 4299944mN / N38° 50' 53" W110° 44' 59" )
  • 7.65 Miles - Junction - Stay right. ( 12S 520577mE 4300717mN / N38° 51' 18" W110° 45' 46" )
  • 8.5 miles - Junction - Stay left. Right goes to Dutchman Arch/Locomotive Point. ( 12S 519543mE 4301501mN / N38° 51' 44" W110° 46' 29" )
  • 10.0 miles - Side road on the right to Lone Warrior Pictograph. Stay left for Swasey Cabin. ( 12S 517721mE 4300189mN / N38° 51' 01" W110° 47' 45" )
  • 10.7 miles - Jct, go right. ( 12S 517774mE 4298971mN / N38° 50' 22" W110° 47' 43" )
  • 11.4 miles - Swasey Cabin ( 12S 516761mE 4298620mN / N38° 50' 10" W110° 48' 25" )
Inside of Swasey's Cabin

Inside of Swasey's Cabin

Swasey's Cabin - Central Swell

Swasey's Cabin - Central Swell

Route

From the parking area and pit toilet, the cabin is visible a short distance down the trail. Behind the cabin is Broken Cross Tower.

No visit to Swasey's Cabin is complete, in my opinion, without visiting the Ice Box, especially if it is a hot day. From the cabin, head west on the well defined trail. It passed Broken Cross Tower, then intersects the jeep road that goes into Eagle Canyon. Go left on the jeep road about 2 minutes (0.1 miles) to a log fence trailhead signed the Icebox Trail. Take the Icebox trail a short distance to the cliff face and the Icebox. It is a unique and interesting place.


Maps

Printable Maps:
Trailhead

12S 516748mE 4298618mN

N38° 50' 10" W110° 48' 25"

Cabin

12S 516722mE 4298549mN

N38° 50' 08" W110° 48' 26"

Icebox Trailhead

12S 516477mE 4298552mN

N38° 50' 08" W110° 48' 37"

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