May 15 & 16 2009
We made a quick trip to the San Rafael Swell to take in the sites and see some interesting old mines. We were able to see about 15 head of wild horses on this trip at the bottom of Link Flats below the Copper Globe Mine. I (Elden) any time we can see wild horses then the trip has been worth while.

I have been wanting to go into this area for a long time and invited three other couples to tag along. We cut the trip short and did not make it to the Hidden Slendor Mine and Behind the Reef ATV Trail but vowed to came back at another time and finish the trip.

We spent our first day traveling to the Moore Exit and then went on a short 50 mile trip to Copper Globe, then to the top of Red Canyon Buttes looking down on Red Canyon, then to Link flats This is here we say the two bands of Wild Horses and tried to make it to the Muddy River but gave up due to lack of time and it would have ben at least another 30 - 40 miles added to the trip.

We had a great Ductch Oven meal of Marinated Pork Tenderloin Medallions, baby red potates, baby carrots, corn bread and blackberry cobble and ice cream. This is the way to camp. Good food and good friends and seeing great scenery.

The next day we drove over to Justeson Flats and dropped down into Eagle Canyon. We then made our way up the canyon to Swasey Cabin an old cowboy who tried to eek out a living in the Swell in the early 1900's.

We traveled from there to Reds Canyon and visited a couple of old ghost towns and mines. The Lucky Strike mine, and another mine at the bottom of Reds Canyon. We then decided to return back to camp and pack up and leave for home. This ended up being a 75 mile trip. Some of the group was not feeling to well so vowed to come back at a latter date and see the rest of the mines and ATV trails.

We came home through Rods Canyon and made a side trip to Eagle Canyon passing up Swasey's Cabin on a true ATV trail. Some in the group really enjoyed this trail since most of the other roads were just that - Roads.

I have not got pictures from the rest of the group but will add these as I get them. Eddie and Ken got some good pictures of the Wild Horses.