Hiking Peak 8235
Torrey
Overview
|
Wed 74 | 60 |
Thu 72 | 57 |
Fri 74 | 55 |
Sat 76 | 55 |
Sun 78 | 56 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
|
Wed 74 | 60 |
Thu 72 | 57 |
Fri 74 | 55 |
Sat 76 | 55 |
Sun 78 | 56 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
The Henry Mountains and Capitol Reef from the summit.
When visiting the Capitol Reef area with a dog, it can be a challenge to find scenic hikes outside of the park. Abby “Wonder Dog” McGee and I decided to visit unnamed peak 8,235’ north of town. This out of the way hike has great red rock views and is outside of the park. The hike follows an old exploratory drill road for most of the route and ends with views of Capitol Reef. It turned out to be a great out-of-the-way outing.
I have had a Grand Cherokee and Ford Ranger to the trailhead without issue, but suspect a full-size truck or lower clearance 4x4 would be fairly difficult to get to the trailhead. This is part of the Great Western Trail, and ATVs would be a great option for reaching the trailhead if available.
The view west from the summit. The Ant Hill is the prominent summit on the right.
Getting There
From the west side of the town of Torrey.
- Turn north on Sand Creek Road and reset your odometer. ( 12S 462189mE 4239096mN / N38° 17' 57" W111° 25' 57" )
- 0.7 miles - Turn left onto Forest Road 146. ( 12S 462196mE 4240272mN / N38° 18' 35" W111° 25' 57" )
- 1.5 miles - After a rough wash crossing, the road splits. Go right. ( 12S 461319mE 4241237mN / N38° 19' 06" W111° 26' 33" )
- 2.3 miles - Junction, stay right toward Sulphur Basin. ( 12S 461494mE 4242311mN / N38° 19' 41" W111° 26' 26" )
- 2.4 miles - Junction on a bend. Go left. The road gets rougher the farther you go. Stay on the obvious main road as it follows near the wash, crosses, then climbs to the mesa above. ( 12S 461590mE 4242356mN / N38° 19' 43" W111° 26' 22" )
- 5.5 miles - Road bends to the left after reaching the hill top. This bend is the trailhead. ( 12S 461505mE 4245945mN / N38° 21' 39" W111° 26' 26" )
Abby heading over to the final climb up the peak across the narrow neck of land.
Route
From the trailhead, follow the old, very rocky road as it heads southeast. This now impassable road appears to have been used for drilling exploratory wells in the area. It makes for easy walking and route finding. Follow the old road. It heads east, then curves and heads south. At about 1.4 miles (30-ish minutes) from the trailhead, an old drill hole is visible just off the left (east) side of the road. Continue on the main old track. It is generally easy to follow, though becoming less visible with time in spots.
About 1.85 miles, the track becomes faint and turns due east. Where it turns east, you can see the narrow neck of land separating the larger part you have been hiking on, with peak 8,235 to the south. Leave the track wherever is convenient and begin heading directly for the peak.
Side Trip: The track continues east for just a minute or two through a cactus patch and ends at an amazing view of Capitol Reef to the east. It is well worth the short side trip, but beware of cacti if travelling with dogs.
Cross the land between the mesa and peak, then work your way up the peak. There are many options. The track shown on the map had a few cairns and very faint old foot prints. Good route finding makes reaching the summit easy with no exposure or major difficulties. The summit has excellent views of Capitol Reef to the east, Boulder Mountain to the south, and Thousand Lake Mountain to the north.
Return the same way.
Photos
Maps
| Trailhead |
12S 461504mE 4245936mN N38° 21' 39" W111° 26' 26" |
| Well Pipe |
12S 462621mE 4244709mN N38° 20' 59" W111° 25' 40" |
| Overlook |
12S 462870mE 4244116mN N38° 20' 40" W111° 25' 30" |
| Route Up |
12S 462667mE 4243667mN N38° 20' 25" W111° 25' 38" |
| Summit |
12S 462859mE 4243277mN N38° 20' 13" W111° 25' 30" |
| Leave Track |
12S 462740mE 4244114mN N38° 20' 40" W111° 25' 35" |