Uploaded December 2020 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago
Cottonwood Wash Loop Utah November 2020
Cottonwood Wash Loop has been on my bucket list for some time after finding out about it through the San Rafael Swell portion of Road Trip Ryan's smartphone app and website. Like most adventures in this area, this trailhead does require a lengthy drive off-pavement near the Old Spanish Trail and an old railroad bed but decent camping once you get there.
Petroglyphs are supposedly present within lower Cottonwood Wash although not seen by me on this day trip. The 13+ mile loop can be done as an overnight trip if you're prepared to carry water out of Cottonwood Wash; Outside of potential snowmelt, I did not see any water sources above the rim during this hike. Seeing the upper reaches of Nate's Canyon and other features was a treat though.
This was an excellent opportunity to develop light canyoneering and navigation skills but Road Trip Ryan's GPS Track was still an essential tool for this adventure. For more info visit:
roadtripryan.com/go/t/utah/san-rafael-swell/cottonwood-wash
Check out the relive platform here:
relive.cc
Music by:
Thomas Fehlmann
" Alles, immer"
Cottonwood Wash Loop Utah November 2020
Cottonwood Wash Loop has been on my bucket list for some time after finding out about it through the San Rafael Swell portion of Road Trip Ryan's smartphone app and website. Like most adventures in this area, this trailhead does require a lengthy drive off-pavement near the Old Spanish Trail and an old railroad bed but decent camping once you get there.
Petroglyphs are supposedly present within lower Cottonwood Wash although not seen by me on this day trip. The 13+ mile loop can be done as an overnight trip if you're prepared to carry water out of Cottonwood Wash; Outside of potential snowmelt, I did not see any water sources above the rim during this hike. Seeing the upper reaches of Nate's Canyon and other features was a treat though.
This was an excellent opportunity to develop light canyoneering and navigation skills but Road Trip Ryan's GPS Track was still an essential tool for this adventure. For more info visit:
roadtripryan.com/go/t/utah/san-rafael-swell/cottonwood-wash
Check out the relive platform here:
relive.cc
Music by:
Thomas Fehlmann
" Alles, immer"
