Mussentuchit Wash | Western Swell

Hiking Mussentuchit Wash - Western Swell Hiking Mussentuchit Wash

Western Swell

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

Overview

RATING: Easy Hike

Wed

Sunny. High near 39, with temperatures falling to around 33 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as 4. Southwest wind 3 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph.

39 | 12

Thu

Sunny, with a high near 37. West northwest wind around 6 mph.

37 | 11

Fri

Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.

39 | 14

Sat

A chance of snow after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

37 | 17

Sun

A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 34. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

34 | 16

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SEASON: Fall, Winter, Spring (When roads are dry)
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: None

Wed

Sunny. High near 39, with temperatures falling to around 33 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as 4. Southwest wind 3 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph.

39 | 12

Thu

Sunny, with a high near 37. West northwest wind around 6 mph.

37 | 11

Fri

Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.

39 | 14

Sat

A chance of snow after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

37 | 17

Sun

A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 34. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

34 | 16

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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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