Roadside Attraction Swasey's Cabin
Central Swell
Overview
Mon
Hi:48 Lo:41 |
Tue
Hi:52 Lo:37 |
Wed
Hi:58 Lo:40 |
Thu
Hi:60 Lo:42 |
Fri
Hi:64 Lo:45 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
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.
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" )
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
| Trailhead |
12S 516749mE 4298619mN N38° 50' 10" W110° 48' 25" |
| Cabin |
12S 516722mE 4298550mN N38° 50' 08" W110° 48' 26" |
| Icebox Trailhead |
12S 516477mE 4298553mN N38° 50' 08" W110° 48' 37" |