Swasey's Cabin | Central Swell

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

Central Swell

Overview

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

Sat

Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. South southwest wind 6 to 10 mph.

71 | 51

Sun

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Sunny, with a high near 68. South southwest wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

68 | 49

Mon

A slight chance of rain showers before noon, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

63 | 49

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 63.

63 | 46

Wed

Sunny, with a high near 64.

64 | 46

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

Sat

Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. South southwest wind 6 to 10 mph.

71 | 51

Sun

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Sunny, with a high near 68. South southwest wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

68 | 49

Mon

A slight chance of rain showers before noon, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

63 | 49

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 63.

63 | 46

Wed

Sunny, with a high near 64.

64 | 46

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" )
The icebox trail. Joe's Office is visible as the alcove area on the right.

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!


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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