Uploaded October 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago

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With more canyoneering than I bargained for, the San Rafael River Trail was certainly my most technical hike of 2019. For additional reviews and other info on this trail, visit:
alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/san-rafael-river

The remote Mexican Mountain area has a rich and colorful history. Archeological sites show we are not the first to visit here. This area was used not only by ancient peoples, but also around the turn of the last century to transport stolen horses through San Rafael Swell to points south. Near the airstrip at Mexican Bend is where Butch Cassidy, Elzy Lay and George Walker exchanged tired mounts for a fresh set of getaway horses during the Castle Gate payroll holdup of April 1897.

For more info on the Mexican Mountain Wilderness Study Area, visit:
blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/utah/mexican-mountain-wsa

For info on the CNOC bag I use for scooping water, check out:
cnocoutdoors.com/collections/vecto-family/products/2019-vecto-3l-28mm?variant=20550054314073

Voiceover by:
Nate Prudhon

Music by:
Afro Celt Sound System
"Release It (Instrumental)"

Patient Saints
"On Your Mind (Outer Limits Of Your Mind Mix)"

Washed Out
"Great Escape"

Royksopp
"Alpha Male"