A Swell Winter Run, 2026 – Wanderin' the West

During the last weekend in February, I meet up with some of my Outlaw Palls for a long weekend out in the southern Utah Desert. A familiar place for us. Now most of these trips find some person backing out at the last minute. Life or family taking priority. Yet on the first full day of the trip, I counted 17 vehicles. Everyone showed up. Even Robbie showed up, someone I haven’t seen in a long, long time. Snow started falling during our first night at camp and the next morning I found myself walking around in a half foot of fresh powder. This weekend was needed.

We spent the weekend exploring the southern regions of the San Rafael Swell. It’s fun to look back on these trips and know we’ve been exploring this area for well over twenty years. This weekend had some old exploits and new areas to see. My beloved Henry Mountains always seemed to be present and the fresh snow just added to being out there.

After some winterish weather passing through the Tunnel and Val Pass it felt good to be passing into Utah.

Had to make a stop at Rays in Green River for a Burger.

Always nice to get to camp after a long day of highway driving. Slowly through out the evening the group would start showing up.

First view of my beloved Henrys. They would be present all weekend.

Weather set in and the snow started coming down as we played a game of campfire Jenga.

With the snow falling through the night, I woke to a winter wonderland. Walking around that morning, the desert was extremely peaceful and quiet.

Travis.

Corbet.

As we packed up for the days outing the storm started to lift.

Tim leading the way and making fresh tracks through the canyon.

The half foot of fresh snow and soon to be blue skies made for a most awesome day out exploring the desert with great friends.

A long time friend from the club even made an appearance ( driving the Ram). He was on the second Outlaws Run waaaay back in 2005.

Robbie descending Fixit Pass in 2005 in his nicely built 80 Series Land Cruiser.

The ever beautiful Temple Mountain. Lots of Uranium Mining activity.

Views from Temple Mountain.

Had a total of 17 vehicles for this trip. We stopped at Temple Mountain for a group shot but quickly found ourselves in a big snowball fight.

My beloved Henry’s.

Making our way above Temple Mountain and further into the Southern Portions of the San Rafael Swell.

A winter desert oasis.

Again, lots of views of my beloved Henry’s.

Tim making fresh tracks to the Hidden Splendor Mine. Bull Mountain in the distance.

Desert Vistas.

Dropping down in the Hidden Splendor Mine.

Hiking down to some of the ruins at the Hidden Splendor Mine.

Checking out the old cabin.

One of the mine shafts. Kurt of course got a good ways in.

Afternoon light on Lower Muddy Creek.

Post sunset views of the Henry’s as I make my way back to camp.

Another fine night around the campfire.

Another beautiful morning in the desert:).

Great views of the La Sal Mountains to the east.

Great Views of the Henry Mountains to the south west.

We set out to Hike Little Wild Horse Canyon.

Shortly after this we came to some narrow sections of the canyon filled with water. Not that great with heights or any kind of ledges, plus didn’t feel like getting wet, so headed back to the rig and hung out till the group was done.

Henry’s:).

From Little Wild Horse we made our way through some awesome country to cross Muddy Creek. Solid ground and an easy crossing. Corbet stood on the opposite bank just in case someone needed a tug.