Roadside Attraction Swasey's Cabin
Central Swell
Overview
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Sat 64 | 43 |
Sun 67 | 43 |
Mon 68 | 48 |
Tue 67 | 46 |
Wed 66 | 47 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
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Sat 64 | 43 |
Sun 67 | 43 |
Mon 68 | 48 |
Tue 67 | 46 |
Wed 66 | 47 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
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
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" )
The icebox trail. Joe's Office is visible as the alcove area on the right.
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. The sandstone dome that marks the trailhead has a small cave on the east side that you walk by. Joe Swasey, at one point, had a floor built in there, and it was known as Joe's Office before the cabin was built.
Take the Icebox trail a short distance. It passes an old fence and trough. Just beyond the trough is a narrow canyon ("cave") that is interesting to squeeze up into. From the first "cave", the social trail goes west a very short distance around the corner to another "cave". I am unsure which one, or maybe both, are referred to as the Icebox. An interesting place to visit!
Photos
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" |