Sea of Slickrock | Western Henry Mountains

Hiking Sea of Slickrock - Western Henry MountainsRoadside Attraction Sea of Slickrock - Western Henry Mountains Sea of Slickrock

Western Henry Mountains

Overview

RATING: Easy hike
MAPS: STEELE BUTTE, UT

Tue

Patchy smoke and a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny. High near 92, with temperatures falling to around 86 in the afternoon. South wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

92 | 70

Wed

A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind 6 to 12 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

91 | 67

Thu

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.

88 | 66

Fri

A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.

86 | 67

Sat

A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.

86 | 65

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Spring, Summer, Fall
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: None, bring all you need.
NOTES: I would recommend medium clearance to reach the trailhead.

Tue

Patchy smoke and a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny. High near 92, with temperatures falling to around 86 in the afternoon. South wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

92 | 70

Wed

A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind 6 to 12 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

91 | 67

Thu

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.

88 | 66

Fri

A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.

86 | 67

Sat

A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.

86 | 65

View Full Weather Details
The view from the trailhead.

The view from the trailhead.

The Henry Mountains are geologically unique for their laccolithic origins. This means they were created by a mass of igneous rock that intruded between layers of sedimentary rocks. This is why you can see sandstone layers surrounding much of the bases of the range. The geology makes the mountain range a fascinating place for geology students but also a spectacular place for hikers and sightseers.

On the west side of the range is what I call the Sea of Slickrock, where a large expanse of white and red sandstone has uplifted. It looks very out of place with the rest of the surrounding environment. Time and water has worn runnels down the uplift, in places creating small pools that grasses have been able to survive and create ecosystems in. I found it a colorful and photogenic place to wander. It can be viewed from the road, but a short hike to visit the slickrock slope up close is worth the time, in my opinion.

Vibrant colors!

Vibrant colors!

Getting There

Travel east out of Capitol Reef National Park on highway 24. Just past the park, 0.25 miles, is the well signed Notom road. Turn right onto the Notom Road and follow it for 13.6 miles to the Sandy Ranch Junction on the left (east) side of the road.

  • Reset your odometer as you turn left (east) off the Notom Road and start heading toward the Henry Mountains. The road crosses the open desert, before descending to and crossing Sandy Creek. Continue on the main road after the crossing as it continues across the badlands toward the Henry Mountains. There are a few minor side roads to ignore and a number of good primitive campsites along the way.  ( 12S 493905E 4217280N / 38°06'12"N 111°04'10"W )
  • 9.5 miles - Just after crossing South Creek, the road splits. Go right here. ( 12S 502752E 4215518N / 38°05'15"N 110°58'07"W )
  • 10.5 miles - Junction, stay right. ( 12S 503607E 4214410N / 38°04'39"N 110°57'32"W )
  • 13.2 miles - Junction. Stay straight, heading south. ( 12S 504942E 4211288N / 38°02'58"N 110°56'37"W )
  • 16.6 miles - Road crosses a wash. This is the trailhead for Sea of Slickrock. Park wherever you can find a spot off the road near the wash. ( 12S 508606E 4208694N / 38°01'33"N 110°54'07"W )
An expanse of slickrock.

An expanse of slickrock.

Route

From the trailhead, it is an easy stroll up the wash to the base of the slickrock. Wandering as your motivation dictates. On the west side (nearest the road) is a collapsed area with an alcove or two in it. This area is quite brushy; not recommended!

Return the same way.


Videos

youtube thumbnail

An aerial view of the sea of slickrock on the west side of the Henry Mountains

By: ryancornia

Maps

Route / 1.32 miles / Elevation Range 6,136 - 6,198 ft.
Printable Maps:

Trailhead

12S 508604E 4208696N

38°01'33"N 110°54'07"W

Comments

Want to make a comment? Login and let yourself be heard.