September 17, 2022 - Utah Flight -
San Rafael Swell - Price, UT
After the break at Huntington Airport, we took off again and set off to explore the San Rafael Swell.  It's one of my favorite places to fly first because it's incredibly scenic:  a combination of canyons, buttes, hoodoos, red rock and just incredible views.  Second, it's huge:  roughly a 75 by 40 mile square.  You can fly around for two hours and not see the same thing twice.  Finally, the area is uninhabited, and is not a National Park or Wildlife Refuge or anything like that.
   
The northern half has three or more canyons that run east -west and are fun to fly.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
The San Rafael River runs through the Swell.
   
From another angle.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Pretty as a picture.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
The eastern edge of the Swell called the "Eastern Reef" consists of distinctive sloped rock.
   
Looking south at the Eastern Reef.
   
The San Rafael Swell attracts hikers, backpackers, horseback riders, campers, recreational vehicles, trail runners and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) enthusiasts.
   
Looking east out over the big desert valley.
   
At the southeast corner of the Swell area is Goblin Valley State Park.
   
The park features thousands of hoodoos, referred to locally as goblins, which are formations of mushroom-shaped rock pinnacles, some as tall as 3-4 yards.
   
 
   
The hoodoos are probably better seen from the ground.
   
Passing over a badland area.
   
 
   
While we headed southeast following Wild Horse Creek, I saw a gaggle of seven or so planes on ADS-B, dead ahead near an airport called Hanksville.  So we headed there to check them out.
   
Looking down at Hanksville Airport (KHVE).  No services like fuel are available here but it has a nice runway.  I visually identified one of the bogies as a high-wing Supercub type plane.  They were headig north.  We didn't want to spoil their fun so we broke off and headed northwest up Muddy Creek.
   
Hanksville Airport also has a 4,800 foot dirt strip seen below.  Utah State Route 24 heads north out of Hanksville, a little town south of the airport, on the Fremont River.
   
Muddy Creek in sight!
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Following Muddy Creek northwest.
   
Passing by an unusual Chimney rock formation made of grey stone.
   
Muddy Creek is heading into canyon country.
   
 
   
 
   
Muddy Creek emerges from the canyon into an area known as Castle Valley.
   

Imagine my surprise when I looked down and saw this dirt airstrip.  It's not on the sectional chart.  But it is on Google Maps and is called Hidden Splendor Airstrip.  I googled it and found all sorts of info on it.  The Utah Back Country Pilot Association has a nice page on it:  Link.   There is a dirt road that goes to this airstrip.

Another similar airstrip was Mexican Mountain on the San Rafael River.  I saw it but did not take a picture for some reason.  And, there was the Sand Wash airstrip near the Green River yesterday.

I have discovered on this trip multiple airports not on the charts but very accessible to a bush-type plane.  Maybe I should build an RV-15 and fly it out here someday?
   
 
   
Muddy Creek continues on.
 
Late Entry:  I discovered an awesome YouTube video made by Chris Wheeler ( Wheels ) flying his Rocket up Muddy Creek and doing low passes at Hidden Splendor.  It was amazing video -- almost as good as actually flying the area.  Check it out:  Link
 
Next time I fly Utah, I'll be shooting some video!
   
 
   
 
   
You can't go wrong by following Rivers and Creek in Utah!
   
 
   
 
   
The rock changes from red to white.
   
Big plateau up ahead.
   
Then suddenly there is Interestate 70, which crosses through the Swell heading east - west.
   

 

 
   
 
   
We turned east along I-70;  I wanted the others to see San Rafael Knob, highest point in the Swell, at 7,921 feet.
   
And there it is -- San Rafael Knob -- at center.
   
 
   
People passing through on I-70 probably have no idea of what spectacular scenery lies to the north and south.
   
 
   
Now working our way back north.  Destination: Carbon County Airport (KPUC) near Price, Utah.  It's only 20 or so miles north of Huntington.
   
 
   
 
   
On the San Rafael River again.
   
Which turns into a canyon as it exits the Swell.
   
 
   
 
   
Looping around a huge Mesa called Buckhorn Flat.
   
 
   
I believe that is the Price River.
   
 
   
 
   
Looking southeast as the Price River heads into the West Tavaputs Plateau, through a fun to fly canyon, where it will join the Green River.
   
A good shot of Carbon Canyon Airport (KPUC).
   

Safe on deck after a fun flying day.  Some nasty weather is approaching to the northwest and in fact, our planes would get rained on during the late-afternoon.

When I had overnighted at this airport on a previous trip, the motel provided a shuttle to and from the airport.  But no motels in Price provided a shuttle service anymore.  I didn't think the FBO -- Redtail Air -- allowed their courtesy cars for overnight, but I just assumed we could get a taxi or Uber.  Bad assumption.  The Redtail attendent told me Price had no taxi service, but that he would take care of us.  He juggled his courtesy car schedule and was able to let us use one overnight.  Another great guy!  Still, I wouldn't recommend Price as a good place to overnight.  We were lucky the FBO helped us out.
   
Getting the planes tied down and ready for the approaching weather.
   
 
   
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