San Rafael Desert 9140

The sense of discovery is strong within Utah's rugged and remote San Rafael Desert. While exploring the countless sandy trails within the region, you're bound to stumble onto unmarked land features that are a total surprise. San Rafael Desert 1940 has one of the most unique discoveries you can find along a trail—a giant bubbling geyser in the middle of nowhere. A large murky bubbling pool of water is along the trail's edge in a wide-open sandy area. Unlike the two other popular area geysers, Crystal Geyser and Chaffin Geyser, this one doesn't appear to be documented. The water is cold and bubbles in the large round pool, overflowing down the slope, creating a trickling tiered landscape.

The soft sand along this scenic trail requires airing down your tire pressure, having 4x4, and high clearance. There are off-camber ruts on the sandy hill and deep washouts along the entire route. Joining the trail with Dry Lake Wash requires a little more courage and 4x4 experience. The sandy bank connecting the two trails is almost vertical and all soft sand. Entering from the eastern trailhead is easiest, leading past a beautiful natural reservoir, the geyser, then an epic campsite on the soft sand above the Green River.