The San Rafael Swell is a large region in the east central part of Utah.  It occupies a good part of western Emery County and is the home of many wonderful places to explore and enjoy.

One such place is the Thin Man Pinnacle, located out on the Mexican Mountain road which follows the San Rafael River downstream from the Swinging Bridge campground.  The Image above has our destination in it. A sharp eye may find the Thin Man. Those wishing to explore the area can contact me directly for more specific directions.  The hike begins 14.5 miles from the turn off from Buckhorn Wash road.  In a beautiful desert side canyon the route follows an old mining/ranching road (track) that climbs the side of the valley to a saddle between towering buttes on the east and cliff bands on the west.

Once to the saddle the next canyon comes into view. The Thin Man Pinnacle is visible to the keen eye at the end of a higher cliff band that divides the upper reaches of the canyon. Following the track down to the canyon floor will bring the explorer to the broad flat land of the canyon where two washes eventually connect. One can cross the flat land to the north until the other wash is reached, then simply follow it upstream to its beginning.  As the wash continues it becomes increasingly chocked with boulders which must be negotiated.

The wash ends with a dry fall and a boulder slope that seems impassable but with patience it can be climbed and the dry fall can be skirted to the right and the intrepid explorer will reach the broad upper shelf of the canyon with its towering walls of Navajo sandstone.

 To the left along this wall stands the impressive Thin Man Pinnacle.  I estimate the height to be about 260 feet based on the height of the trees below. 

Hiking over to and around the pinnacle is relatively flat and is not exposed to the hoof of cows nor the droppings they leave which gives the area a feel of pristine desert environment. 

The views from the high shelf are spectacular with high canyon walls above and below the vistas are wonderful and well worth the struggle to climb up out of the canyon.

Sunsets looking down the canyon to the Mexican Bend area of the San Rafael River and the distant LaSal mountains are amazing and worth the hike out in the dark.

The trip back is by simply retracing your route out. For those who venture out to the Thin Man Pinnacle it will be a trip of solitude and of satisfaction knowing that very few people have seen what you will experience.

Happy exploring and be sure more about the San Rafael Swell will be coming in future posts.