Hiking Pine Creek
Boulder Mountain
Overview
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Fri 75 | 51 |
Sat 74 | 52 |
Sun 76 | 51 |
Mon 76 | 54 |
Tue 74 | 56 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
|
Fri 75 | 51 |
Sat 74 | 52 |
Sun 76 | 51 |
Mon 76 | 54 |
Tue 74 | 56 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
Quaking Aspen in the spring
Torrey is known by most as the gateway to Capitol Reef National Park and the surrounding desert. Boulder Mountain, just south of Torrey, is an often overlooked destination with high mountain terrain and cooler temperatures that is one of my favorite places to wander in the summer when the lowlands become scorching hot.
Pine Creek, on the northwest side of Boulder Mountain, is a serene mountain sanctuary from high summer temps at lower elevations. The trailhead is less than 30 minutes from Torrey, with excellent primitive camping in the area.
This is an excellent family and dog-friendly hike. The hike meanders through the high mountain forest before passing a small lake and reaching Pine Creek Reservoir.
Bring a pole. The lake is popular with fisherman.
Cascade feeding the small lake.
Getting There
Access is from Bicknell, Ut, on the north side of the Aquarius:
Go east out of Bicknell on highway 24. 2.5 miles from town, turn right on Bicknell Cr, this is just across from the Great Western Trailhead on the left.
- Drive 3.8 miles from highway 24 on the paved county road to a junction. Go right, on the dirt road to Boulder Top. Reset Odometer ( 12S 450047E 4237464N / 38°17'02"N 111°34'16"W )
- 0.7 miles, go left on Forest Service Road 178 ( 12S 449061E 4237958N / 38°17'18"N 111°34'57"W )
- 3.0 - Stay left. ( 12S 446065E 4235977N / 38°16'13"N 111°36'60"W )
- 3.5 - Stay left again. ( 12S 445955E 4235147N / 38°15'46"N 111°37'04"W )
- 4.2 - Left again - Reset odometer here. ( 12S 445523E 4234115N / 38°15'12"N 111°37'21"W )
- 4.7 miles - two track going off on the left. Take this road for 1.25 miles. It is braided in places, always choose the best looking path. At about 1.1 miles, stay right. The road crosses Pine Creek here, then goes right a short distance to the trailhead. ( 12S 448770E 4228697N / 38°12'17"N 111°35'06"W )
- Trailhead ( 12S 450058E 4229179N / 38°12'33"N 111°34'14"W )
Pine Creek Reservoir
Route
From the trailhead, follow the trail as it parallels Pine Creek. The path is easy to follow, but not overly well traveled. You may have to climb over a few downed logs!
The trail ascends the rocky slope for about 0.5 miles to a first, small, unnamed lake. On the south side of the pond, a picturesque cascade feeds the lake from Pine Creek reservoir above.
Another 0.25 miles beyond this first small pond is Pine Creek Reservoir.
Return the same way.
Photos
Maps
| Trailhead |
12S 450059E 4229180N 38°12'33"N 111°34'14"W |
| Shelter |
12S 450285E 4228961N 38°12'26"N 111°34'04"W |
| Pine Creek Reservoir |
12S 450288E 4228368N 38°12'07"N 111°34'04"W |