The San Rafael Swell, located just south of Price, Utah, is a geological salmagundi. The area is referred to as an anticline (deep seated vertical fault) and a structural uplift, an almost impenetrable barrier. Today, Interstate Highway 70 is still the only paved road through the area. The high altitude (7,900 ft) swell is part of the Colorado Plateau and consists of a 40 by 75 mile area made up of sandstone, shale and limestone. Besides being a geophysical wonder, it is a land of enchanting rock formations, including a few major arches.
This unseasonable June snowfall adds another unusual element for the viewer. Fascinating names, such as; Black Dragon Canyon, Copper Globe, Head of Sinbad, Cottonwood Draw, Goblin Valley and Jackass Benches add more factors of intrigue.