Canyoneering the Northern San Rafael Swell

I spend a considerable amount of time in San Rafael Swell--especially the Northern Section--so I'm not unbiased about my love of this book. However, it gives great detail about trails. I do both day hikes and backpacking. I've tried Road Trip Ryan and All Trails and neither give adequate info on trails in the Swell. Yes, the photos in the book are too small to be of much use, and some trail info is disjointed at times, but all trail books have such issues. The more I use this book, the more I'm familiar with the author's thought process. It has guided me through Spring and Nate's Canyons, Horse Thief Pass, Sid's Mountain/Saddle Horse, Tower Arch, the Conquistadors, and numerous pictograph panels. All of these hikes are in dry, difficult, maze-like terrain. It's great to have a book that was written by guys who love the Swell as much as I do.

Useless topo maps, because of print quality and scale. The point to point routes might be useful, but only if you are following the identical waypoint format as the authors. The route text descriptions are extremely weak-while attempting a "step-by step" description.We have spent a total of 4 weeks,in 2 single trips to the San Rafael Swell-as well as having spent more than 20 weeks (beginning in 1989)exploring the adjacent areas-Dirty Devil drainage, Little Rockies, and the rough accesses routes into the DDR region from the north side. This huge area had few if any guidebooks. (that is it wasn't in the process of being "loved to Death" like the Escalante.)As much as I loathe Kelseys guides (mostly due to his extreme hiking style/trip duration) I actually do own most of his books. They are useful in pre-trip planning,and a good read for area background history.This book by Allen & Mitchell on the north SR Swell area ,doesn't contain enough information to be worth the price. Might be useful,in a limited way,for pre-trip planning-but certainly not worth carrying.I was disappointed with this purchase.There are better books out there.

We've been exploring the Swell for over ten years now and have found Allen's book absolutely indispensable. This is the backcountry, people, you don't go without GPS, topo maps and some basic BC navigation experience. We prepare by correlating USGS 7.5' topo data to Google Earth and generating GPS waypoints. It works amazingly well if you're careful. Stick to obvious Jeep tracks; trying to pick Navajo knobs atop the reefs can be tricky. We've found Allen's descriptions very useful, even with the inevitable interpretation that occurs. Even the desert BC looks a little different twenty years on.By comparison, my feeling is that Kelsey is a mad man. We refer to his book when planning and delight in the harrowing accounts of rapping into 'keepers.' I was more agro when I was younger and might have tried some of that "back in the day," but Allen is our go-to guy in the field.

excellent book

I am not a rope/technical hiker, but love to get out and move in the Utah desert. This book has new hikes I haven't come across with notes on the back roads and on mountain biking. Most hikes are designed for non-technical hiking.

This is a well-written and easy-to-follow guidebook about a spectacular place. I am so glad I got it. From easy to difficult, lots of potential routes for hiking and non-technical canyoneering are outlined here.

The San Rafael Swell is a huge geological blister located in east central Utah. It is crossed by several creeks and has numerous beautiful canyons, cliffs, mesas, slot canyons, and grottoes. It is also marked by spectacular cliffs of white Navajo sandstone, particularly on the east and southeast borders. There are a few big arches in the Swell and a host of gargoyle rocks. It's a place that, were it anywhere else, would be a National Park or Monument. However, in the scenic wonderland that is southeast Utah, it's just another unexplored place for the most part. Up to this book, the bulk of the Swell's publicity has come from occasional uranium strikes.Author Allen has turned out a masterpiece. The book extensively covers all the things previously discussed, and a lot more, too. Especially interesting is the history of the region. The maps and hikes/tours are clearly described, although I would have preferred measuring in terms of distance rather than time. Quite obvious is Allen's enthusiasm for the place, an enthusiasm brought out in the text. The pictures are good, but I would have preferred some of them in color, given the fantastic breadth of colorful formations in this region.I used the book last May in a brief Jeep tour of the Swell, and found it to be very accurate. I recommend the book highly to anyone who wants to see/explore this magnificent region.

Steve's book gives plenty of information to find these hikes with lots of detail about the highlights and routes. Being an experienced mountaineer but a novice canyoneer, I did find selecting hikes a little difficult without a rating system. I would recommend using the Falcon Guide to the same area in conjunction and as a cross reference to avoid getting in over your head. If you can only buy one, get this one, as the 2nd half of the book contains a rich overview of the history and geology of the area which will highly enhance your visit.

At first I found the book's organisation a bit confusing, but soon realised it's quite logical. Well written, just wish it provided a bit more info relevant to a photographer. Still, a worthwhile purchase for exploring the northern Swell.

Very good, one of the best book, very happy