ShareTrails | Lost Trails Guidebook #14 | San Rafael Swell, UT | Copper Globe Area | Scenic View | BLM Route SS4555

Overview: Utah’s San Rafael Swell (just east of Green River, UT and south of Price) is home to some of the most spectacular deserts trails of the Intermountain West. This area is home to breathtaking sandstone cliffs and sweeping sands. Along the outskirts of the San Rafael Swell TMA, there are several lesser-known networks of BLM managed trails. These networks provide access to a nearly untouched backcountry, leading to the extreme solitude that many outdoor recreationists crave. Within these networks, BLM Route SS4555 provides access to a stunning view of the Swell and access to a remote dispersed camping experience. This route is one you won’t want to miss.

Getting There: There are several ways to approach BLM Route SS4555 within the many existing routes in the San Rafael Swell. If you choose to approach SS4555 directly from I-70, you can reach it by traveling south through Justensen Flats, past Devil’s canyon (pictured below on the right), along Copper Globe Mine Road toward the network of routes connected to SS4554. We recommend, however, approaching Copper Globe Mine Road more organically through networks connected to the other areas you choose to explore within the San Rafael Swell TMA during your trip.

Take time to familiarize yourself with the map and coordinates and plan a route that best fits you and your group. Be sure to not head off into the wilderness alone and tell someone where you are going before starting your trip. BLM Route SS4555 turns off of BLM Route SS4554 at GPS coordinates 38°48’3.06″N and 110°53’8.76″W.

Route Conditions & Access: As shown in the above left image, BLM Route SS4555 features more rugged, technical terrain. We recommend using a well equipped, high clearance 4WD or AWD vehicle.

As always, utilize LEAVE NO TRACE practices. While this trail features a possible dispersed campsite at its end, there is no fire ring. We recommend using a fire pan. Careless recreation leads to ecological damage, road closures, and loss of access to important resources. It is important that motorized users stay on the trail and camp within a 30′ buffer zone on either side of the road.

Where BLM Route SS4555 is remotely located, the casual passersby or agenda oriented environmentalist activist may claim that this trails is reclaiming when it in fact sees regular, light or moderate, and valid use. We hope publicizing this route will encourage volunteer restoration projects while also ensuring that the county road departments maintain it.

Trails marked as reclaiming are often closed in travel management plans, even when a short trip past an obtrusive bush or rocky wash (see above left and middle images) reveals a clear trail. Traveling more frequently in these areas helps to keep them on the map. Please help us in our fight to keep these trails open by visiting and responsibly recreating on them with your family and friends.

The route ends (as pictured above) at GPS coordinates 38°48’0.07″N and 110°53’32.60″W. We hope you enjoy the solitude and the view!

These and other nearby spurs are at risk of closure under claims of natural reclamation if they are not used. Please come and enjoy this beautiful area and help to keep our roads open.

This route report is part of a larger guidebook BRC is completing to educate users about high-value motorized trails that are at risk of closure if we don’t use them. This guidebook will be called the Lost Trails Guidebook, and has been funded by a generous grant from the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative with Jorgensen Powersports as a sponsoring dealer.