Wasatch Solo: Cycling, Swett Ranch at Flaming Gorge

Red Canyon

The Swett Ranch is a homestead above (south-east) of Red Canyon of Flaming Gorge, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We rode the dirt, double-track that circles the ranch, riding clockwise. Three-fourths the way around the loop, about mile five (of eight total), we took the detour to the Swett Ranch, which located in the middle of the loop. We spent more time touring the ranch than we did pedalling, which was a good choice, it was inspiring to see the beautiful ranch that was carved out of wilderness beginning in 1909. When Oscar Swett was sixteen and too young to homestead, he persuaded his Mom to buy the original 151 acres. When he reached legal age (21 years ?) he bought the 151 acres from his Mom.

Oscar and his wife, Emma, acquired more land, totaling 397 acres after 58 years. Over those 58 years they raised nine kids, built two more homes when they needed space for their growing family, and raised/sold beef-cattle for income. They lived off deer and elk, never beef, they didn’t want to eat their livelihood. Deer and elk were free other than the effort to hunt. The ranch is located on the east end of the Uintah Mountains at about 7,000 feet elevation. I loved walking through the homes and out buildings, I could feel the energy of the family that created a life here. They lived during the same era as my grandparents and, seeing their work, the gap between two completely different worlds was bridged. All my respect! I’m convinced their era was much healthier physically, mentally and emotionally than today's tech-obsessed world.

Our ride was just over 8 miles, including a half-mile starting and aborting a ride of the Red Canyon Rim trail. We started the Rim Trail but it was a crowded, rocky, narrow single-track, and, after getting crusty looks from hikers with way too-many unleashed dogs, we quickly decided the Rim Trail would have wait for another day. Both the Rim Trail and Swett Ranch trails start at the same scenic overlook, about two miles south of the turn-off to the Red Canyon Visitor Center on Highway 44. The Swett Ranch road is a smooth, gravel double-track with very few riders, perhaps because it’s considered ‘easy.’ I’m OK with easy-non-technical riding, crowds not so much. We saw only two other cyclists on the loop and NO unleashed dogs. I’ll always take zero dogs over a technical trail. I’m not a dog hater, I just don’t like an uninvited wet nose shoved into my junk. The loop is beautiful, mostly rolling, open sage meadows, but there are also forests of big Ponderosa Pine. The scent of pine throughout the ride was wonderful.

Cutleaf Balsamroot

Easy riding through sage and Ponderosa.

Kara way ahead.

One stream crossing at about mile two.

The first half of the loop is a gentle descent, the second half a gentle ascent. We rode clockwise but the gain and loss is the same either direction because the trailhead is the highpoint of the trail.

The first home was a one-bedroom building, just 12 x 12 feet. Oscar lived here with his Mom until he married Emma, at which time his Mom moved back to Vernal.