San Rafael 9130

You will wonder what the travelers think as they watch you drive under I-70, out in this desolate landscape. It's a rare opportunity to drive across an interstate median, but it's legal and a creative link on your overland adventure across the San Rafael Swell. The moderate 6.4-mile trail takes about an hour to cross the seemingly endless desert flats. The dirt is soft, and there are countless deep washouts; a few can swallow an entire vehicle. Please use caution since they sneak up on you. A couple of the washouts have become so large you have to detour around them. The two tunnels under the interstate are large enough for full-size vehicles and rooftop tents. The camping is in the wide open and very exposed to the area's frequent winds. However, there is one protected site at the start of the gravel road, behind the large gravel mound, on the northern section of the trail.