Hiking Lost Spring Area
Northern Henry Mountains
Overview
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Thu 90 | 69 |
Fri 89 | 66 |
Sat 89 | 69 |
Sun 91 | 70 |
Mon 91 | 71 |
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Thu 90 | 69 |
Fri 89 | 66 |
Sat 89 | 69 |
Sun 91 | 70 |
Mon 91 | 71 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
Table Mountain from near Lost Spring
Table Mountain on the northern end of the Henry Mountains has always intrigued me, its craggy slopes are studded with pillars and towers that look quite dramatic from a distance. When I finally visited Table Mountain via Lost Springs, I wasn't disappointed. The spires and towers are even more dramatic up close, and the views from the area of the badlands to the north and Capitol Reef National Park to the west are quite dramatic.
The higher elevation of this hike makes it a great one to do in the summer, when trying to escape the desert heat of the lower elevations. There is ok primitive camping in the area, though they do run cows around the springs.
The hike described has two different sections that start from the same trailhead. The first heads south, mostly along cow trails. This is shorter, but gets closer to the base of Table Mountain. The second option follows an old trail, likely used when moving cattle in the area, east along the base of the mountain. The second option is longer and probably my favorite.
The craggy Table Mountain
Getting There
Access requires driving across the Fremont River, which is generally quite low. After recent heavy rains or for a brief time during spring run-off, the crossing may be impossible. Current flow is available at USGS ( https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/09330000/#parameterCode=00065 ) At 80 CFS, it was easily passable in Subaru type vehicles. Likely passable up to 100 CFS or a bit more depending on the vehicle.
Reaching the trailhead starts in the ghost town of Giles. This is about 7.5 miles west of Hanksville on UT-24, or about 40 miles east of Torrey on UT-24. At milepost 106.9 is the turn off on the south side of UT-24. This is signed Giles/Blue Valley.
- Mile Post 106.9 - Turn south off the highway and reset your odometer. ( 12S 510999E 4245672N / 38°21'33"N 110°52'27"W )
- 500' - River Ford. This is generally shallow, but can be impassable during very high spring run-off or after heavy rains. Inspect before crossing. ( 12S 510981E 4245540N / 38°21'29"N 110°52'28"W )
- 1.6 miles - Juncition to Blue Valley (Private) just after Steamboat Point. Stay right, the road now heads south. There are a few side roads during this next section. Always stay on the main dirt road, ignoring the minor side roads. ( 12S 512743E 4245157N / 38°21'16"N 110°51'15"W )
- 7.8 miles - Small side road on the left going to slickrock. This is the side road to Riding Desert Sheep rock art panel. ( 12S 511719E 4236894N / 38°16'48"N 110°51'58"W )
- 10.1 miles - Major junction. Got right toward Lost Spring, staying on the main road from here for about 5.5 more miles. ( 12S 512710E 4233736N / 38°15'06"N 110°51'17"W )
- 15.7 miles - Lost Spring Trailhead ( 12S 513311E 4226298N / 38°11'04"N 110°50'53"W )
Panorama of Table Mountain
Route
Shorter South Option (1.5 miles round-trip)
From the trailhead, head east just a minute or two on an old road until it crosses a drainage. Go up this drainage. Once you get a short distance up, there are well-defined cow trails to follow. The cow trails go up to Willow Spring, a lush spring area. I continued up from Willow Spring about 1/4 of a mile, trending left at junctions, to get to the talus field at the base of Table Mountain and close-up views of the jagged base. Return the same way.
Longer Old Trail Option (up to about 4 miles round-trip)
From the trailhead, follow the old road as it heads east. In spots, on my visit, this showed ATV trails for a short distance, then settles into more of a cow trail. In general, it is east to find and follow.
After about a mile, it begins to get closer to the base of Table Mountain and climb a drainage that becomes deeper and more defined.
About 1.9 miles from the trailhead, it reaches what appears to be an old, closed road. The road doesn't show on USGS maps, but has clearly seen traffic. I assume it goes over to Birch Creek. The old road was my turnaround spot, as the hike is past the most interesting part of Table Mountain and now more forested.
Return the same way.
Photos
Maps
| Trailhead |
12S 513310E 4226299N 38°11'04"N 110°50'53"W |
| Old Road? |
12S 515804E 4225186N 38°10'28"N 110°49'10"W |
| South Route Wash |
12S 513427E 4226242N 38°11'02"N 110°50'48"W |
| Spring Area |
12S 513173E 4225186N 38°10'28"N 110°50'59"W |