Sids Mountain Wilderness | Friday – Sunday, October 31 – November 2, 2025
Although I was originally hoping to be out hiking in the Canyons of the Escalante with Jared for a long weekend at this time, Diane’s recovery is progressing slowly and I didn’t want to leave her home for an extended period of time just yet, so I figured I would just save the PTO for another time and delay the trip until sometime next year. However, I still wanted to get out hiking a little deeper into the backcountry this weekend and Diane is doing well enough that we were comfortable with her staying home for the weekend- she would be having a few friends stop by to visit her throughout the weekend- so I thought it would be nice to head over to the San Rafael Swell to get in some hiking and exploring around Sids Mountain. It’s been just over a year since my last visit to the Swell and I was looking forward to the return!
After leaving work on Friday afternoon I headed into Utah and made my way over to the western side of Sids Mountain. I explored a few rougher roads that I have not driven before and managed to get crossed up in a washed-out wash crossing and needed to use the A-TRAC feature on my 4Runner for the first time, which worked well enough to get me out.
Driving past The Red Ledges shortly before sunset.
Following the dusty track onto the Little Wedge.
I found a place to camp at the edge of the Sids Mountain Wilderness and watched the sunset.
Saddle Horse Canyon
Last Light on the Rim
Little Wedge Camp
Rincon Sunset
On Saturday morning I was up before sunrise and hiking down into North Salt Wash at dawn.
North Salt Wash was flowing and muddy in places, but I was able to find easy crossings most of the time- sometimes using beaver dams which were numerous in the canyon. I would only need to get my feet wet during my final crossing hiking back up to the rim.
There were a few nice golden cottonwoods along the wash.
After leaving North Salt Wash I did a little more exploring along The Red Ledges.
After finishing up my morning hikes I grabbed lunch and fuel in Castle Dale and then drove around to the east side of Sids Mountain- exploring a few more backroads along the way. I found a nice campsite at the edge of the Limestone Bench and watched the sunset before getting to bed early.
There was a good view of Window Blind Peak from my second campsite of the weekend.
Light & Shadow
Oil Well Draw at Dusk
Limestone Bench Camp
Mexican Mountain
I got another early start on Sunday morning as I drove over to Cane Wash to hike up the Sids Mountain Trail at dawn.
I watched golden light illuminate the surrounding amphitheater from the trail at sunrise.
A view from the trail over Road Draw and the Limestone Bench.
The trail was in better shape than I was expecting and it didn’t take me long to reach the top of Sids Mountain.
I walked over to the other side of the point for a different view.
View From the Top
I continued across the top of Sids Mountain towards Swazy Point.
My turnaround point was at the Kofford Cabin.
Comet Stove
Kofford Cabin
After hiking back down the Sids Mountain Trail I returned to my vehicle and drove back to I-70 and then home. This weekend was a nice overdue return to the San Rafael Swell for me and hopefully Diane will be able to join me again soon.
I’ve been looking for this petroglyph panel for many years, so it was nice to finally find it this weekend. Of course, I have walked right below it a couple of time before and had just missed it…
Black Patch Panel
High Dive
Sheep & Bent Arm Guy
White & Red Fremont Pictographs
Faded Snake
Although this faded panel of sheep was hard to see, there were nice and interesting petroglyphs here.
I liked this little striped sheep below the larger figures.
I enjoy exploring the Swell and your post and photos are nudging me to go back. As always, your photos are superb and I enjoy reading about your travels and details.
Excellent. Thanks