rcwild
06-25-2008, 10:54 PM
Longer and more committing that its little brother, the Upper Black Box is a classic wet canyon hike through a deep narrow gorge.
Rating: 2C III
Time Required: ~8-10 Hours?
Longest Rappel: NA
Permit Information
No permit required
Camping/Lodging
There is a BLM campsite with toilets on the San Rafael River at the bridge. Plenty of primitive camping everywhere else.
Preferred Season
Mid summer to early fall when water levels are low and it isn’t too cold
Water Concerns
Requires warm weather and low river flow. Check both before you go. Also high potential for flash flooding. If the river is running over 30 cfs. expect to encounter strong current, undertows, strainers, entrapments and long exposure to very cold water. Doing the Upper Black Box at high water can be very dangerous and is not recommended.
Special Challenges
Will spend a lot of time in the water – see above
Equipment Suggestions
Good water hiking shoes, a walking stick, dry bags for what you don’t want to get wet, flotation, wetsuit, 20’ rope for handline
Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5’ Maps ‘Drowned Hole Draw’, ‘Devils Hole Utah’, ‘Mexican Mountain Utah’
Directions to Trailhead
From Green River go west on I-70 through the Reef to exit 129, the Cottonwood Wash Road. This road heads generally northwest through the Northern Swell crossing the San Rafel River where it turns into the Buckhorn Wash Road. From the bridge across the San Rafel River head east on the Mexican Mountain Road.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Approach
Indian Bench About nine and one half miles down the Mexican Mountain Road a dirt track comes in from the right. Drive out this track to the pinion/juniper and park next to a south running wash. Descend this wash into a short side canyon that leads down to the San Rafael River via ledges and easy down-climbing.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Description: Standard Route
Hiking, boulder hopping, wading and swimming often in very cold water. There is a rockfall toward the end of the gorge that will require some down-climbing or a rope used as a hand line.
Variations
Lockhart Box About eight miles down the Mexican Mountain Road turn right on a dirt track and park at the BLM sign for the Black Box. Descend the wash and follow an old cattle trail down Lockhart Box to the San Rafael River. This "classic" start to the Upper Black Box adds two to three hours to the Indian Bench start.
Exit
After the river snakes around pt. 4730 the canyon opens up. Strike left and head up to the Mexican Mountain road.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Rating: 2C III
Time Required: ~8-10 Hours?
Longest Rappel: NA
Permit Information
No permit required
Camping/Lodging
There is a BLM campsite with toilets on the San Rafael River at the bridge. Plenty of primitive camping everywhere else.
Preferred Season
Mid summer to early fall when water levels are low and it isn’t too cold
Water Concerns
Requires warm weather and low river flow. Check both before you go. Also high potential for flash flooding. If the river is running over 30 cfs. expect to encounter strong current, undertows, strainers, entrapments and long exposure to very cold water. Doing the Upper Black Box at high water can be very dangerous and is not recommended.
Special Challenges
Will spend a lot of time in the water – see above
Equipment Suggestions
Good water hiking shoes, a walking stick, dry bags for what you don’t want to get wet, flotation, wetsuit, 20’ rope for handline
Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5’ Maps ‘Drowned Hole Draw’, ‘Devils Hole Utah’, ‘Mexican Mountain Utah’
Directions to Trailhead
From Green River go west on I-70 through the Reef to exit 129, the Cottonwood Wash Road. This road heads generally northwest through the Northern Swell crossing the San Rafel River where it turns into the Buckhorn Wash Road. From the bridge across the San Rafel River head east on the Mexican Mountain Road.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Approach
Indian Bench About nine and one half miles down the Mexican Mountain Road a dirt track comes in from the right. Drive out this track to the pinion/juniper and park next to a south running wash. Descend this wash into a short side canyon that leads down to the San Rafael River via ledges and easy down-climbing.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Description: Standard Route
Hiking, boulder hopping, wading and swimming often in very cold water. There is a rockfall toward the end of the gorge that will require some down-climbing or a rope used as a hand line.
Variations
Lockhart Box About eight miles down the Mexican Mountain Road turn right on a dirt track and park at the BLM sign for the Black Box. Descend the wash and follow an old cattle trail down Lockhart Box to the San Rafael River. This "classic" start to the Upper Black Box adds two to three hours to the Indian Bench start.
Exit
After the river snakes around pt. 4730 the canyon opens up. Strike left and head up to the Mexican Mountain road.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
- -