San Rafael Knob and Devil’s Canyon East in San Rafael Swell BLM, UT

Hike San Rafael Knob and Devil’s Canyon East San Rafael Swell BLM, UT

Class 3 7.0 miles 1500 gain 3-5 hrs Loop Sep 28, 2016
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

San Rafael Knob and Devil’s Canyon East GPX Track

I need to offset my substantial website costs somehow! You can download a hike/drive GPX to assist you here. Before sharing my GPX tracks with others, please remember my site is otherwise a free resource.

This was a fun off-trail adventure through the higher sections of the San Rafael Swell. Apparently the last mile leading to where I parked has become 4WD in the last few years. Expect to add a couple of miles to your day if you can't make it all the way. Soon, I came across a dirt road (the intended "trail") and followed it to the base of the San Rafael Knob. Of course, the most annoying part was figuring out a reasonable way to the summit. If you find youself doing any moves harder than 3rd class, there's an easier way. I accidentally went across a scay, but interesting, ledge and was able to find a way up, but on the way down from the summit, the trail seemed more obvious and led me past some cairns that, naturally, I missed, and led me more safely to the ground.

I followed the dirt road all the way back and to where the opening of Devil's Canyon (east side) began. A short section of beautiful narrows led to a nice sandy wash before getting to the official trailhead for Devil's Canyon (4WD accessible only). I followed the dirt road back to my car to complete the loop.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
San Rafael Knob
7921 ft
1961 rise

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!

This is where I parked, the San Rafael Knob looking super far away (the little mound in the center).
This is where I parked, the San Rafael Knob looking super far away (the little mound in the center).
Looking around the landscape during the cross-country section before meeting up with the dirt road.
Looking around the landscape during the cross-country section before meeting up with the dirt road.
San Rafael Knob in the distance, a cliff being one of many obstacles along the way.
San Rafael Knob in the distance, a cliff being one of many obstacles along the way.
Finally, after heading southeast for a while, I got to the dirt road.
Finally, after heading southeast for a while, I got to the dirt road.
Follow the dirt road all the way to the base of San Rafael Knob.
Follow the dirt road all the way to the base of San Rafael Knob.
I walked all the way around the San Rafael Knob, and this is the view from the other side (where there is no way to get up the mountain).
I walked all the way around the San Rafael Knob, and this is the view from the other side (where there is no way to get up the mountain).
One of two proper approaches.
One of two proper approaches.
A fun little 3rd class ledge. If this seems too scary, the alternate route to get to the summit is the way I came down, and it avoids this ledge.
A fun little 3rd class ledge. If this seems too scary, the alternate route to get to the summit is the way I came down, and it avoids this ledge.
Looking back at the ledge I just crossed.
Looking back at the ledge I just crossed.
Heading up the Class 2 scramble section.
Heading up the Class 2 scramble section.
Image 10 from gallery
A lookout to the south, before the final Class 2 section to the summit.
A lookout to the south, before the final Class 2 section to the summit.
Cool terraces while heading to the summit of the San Rafael Knob.
Cool terraces while heading to the summit of the San Rafael Knob.
View from almost near the summit.
View from almost near the summit.
The notch to enter to get to the top.
The notch to enter to get to the top.
The summit, looking north.
The summit, looking north.
The San Rafael Knob summit, looking south.
The San Rafael Knob summit, looking south.
Close-up looking north.
Close-up looking north.
Summit view from the San Rafael Knob overlooking the San Rafael Swell.
Summit view from the San Rafael Knob overlooking the San Rafael Swell.
After descending from the San Rafael Knob, I decided to follow the dirt toad back and meet up with the east side of Devil's Canyon.
After descending from the San Rafael Knob, I decided to follow the dirt toad back and meet up with the east side of Devil's Canyon.
Overlooking the narrows of Devil's Canyon East.
Overlooking the narrows of Devil's Canyon East.
In the Devil's Canyon right before the narrows.
In the Devil's Canyon right before the narrows.
Image 22 from gallery
Image 23 from gallery
The narrow section.
The narrow section.
In order to get around the pretty deep water, I climbed up and over. This is looking down into the narrows.
In order to get around the pretty deep water, I climbed up and over. This is looking down into the narrows.
Image 26 from gallery
Ridiculously cool textures.
Ridiculously cool textures.
Leaving the narrows of Devil's Canyon East.
Leaving the narrows of Devil's Canyon East.
Some sections of slickrock while headed out of the canyon.
Some sections of slickrock while headed out of the canyon.
Image 30 from gallery
Image 31 from gallery
Image 32 from gallery
Image 33 from gallery
Approaching the official trailhead (4WD only) for Devil's Canyon. In front of me is Devil's Canyon West - I'll save it for another day. From here, I turned right and headed up the rough dirt road.
Approaching the official trailhead (4WD only) for Devil's Canyon. In front of me is Devil's Canyon West - I'll save it for another day. From here, I turned right and headed up the rough dirt road.
Looking into Devil's Canyon East where I came from.
Looking into Devil's Canyon East where I came from.
Following the dirt road back to where I parked.
Following the dirt road back to where I parked.
San Rafael Knob in the distance.
San Rafael Knob in the distance.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!