Hiking Slickrock Bench Trail - Torrey

Overview

Tue

68° | 45°

Wed

57° | 40°

Thu

57° | 30°

Fri

59° | 34°

Sat

57° | 34°

( Rated 3.0 / 2 Ratings )

6 Todo Lists / 0 Ticks

RATING: Easy hiking

LENGTH: 3-4 hours (6.5 miles)

MAPS: Grover, UT;

SEASON: Spring, Fall, Winter if no snow

GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear

WATER: None.

Tue

68° | 45°

Wed

57° | 40°

Thu

57° | 30°

Fri

59° | 34°

Sat

57° | 34°

Slickrock at the turn around.

It is a rare day that I recommend a hike that is along an ATV trail. Slickrock Bench Trail, near Capitol Reef, is a hike I will make an exception for. The hike is fairly unremarkable, but the destination is pretty, and I think well worth the hike. Even though this is an ATV trail, is it a rough one, and didn't seem particularly well traveled. If hiking in the off season, you are likely to have it to yourself. We visited on a late fall Saturday and saw no signs of recent travel and didn't see anyone on our trip. The end of the hike makes a great lunch spot.

Note: This hike is outside of the National Park, so dogs are allowed. There is no water on the hike, however, so bring all that will be needed.

Basalt and Sandstone, what a combo.

Getting There

From the east side of Torrey, head south on highway 12, toward Boulder/Escalante. Follow highway 12 for 7.1 miles. Just past the small town of Grover, the Miners Mountain Road takes off on the left and is signed.

Reset your odometer as you turn onto the Miners Mountain Road off of highway 12. 12S 470020E 4230475N / 38°13'18"N 111°20'33"W

Follows the road as it winds through a few houses and fields. At the junction at 1.2 miles, stay left on the main road. 12S 471194E 4229254N / 38°12'39"N 111°19'45"W

At 2.3 is a Y junction. Go right here, an addition 0.1 miles and park anywhere convenient in the large open area. 12S 472324E 4228142N / 38°12'03"N 111°18'58"W

Trailhead 12S 472338E 4227957N / 38°11'57"N 111°18'57"W

Volcanic boulders dotting the landscape.

Route Description

From the open parking area, follow the rough jeep/ATV trail south as it steeply climbs a very rocky hill. In 5 minutes is a signed trail junction. Go right here, as the trail flattens a little and becomes a bit less rocky.

In 30 minutes, a minor side road takes off on the right. Stay on the main trail (Left). The trail meanders in and out of small drainages and over ridges. At about 1.5-2 hours (3.25 miles from the trailhead), the trail climbs onto slickrock and rounds a point; this is the recommended destination.

The point has massive volcanic boulders dotting the landscape and creates a dramatic contrast of black rock on white sandstone. To the east is Capitol Reef National Park, with the Henry Mountains visible in the far distance past the park.

Note: The trail continues on past the point, but is not particularly interesting. This used to be used as an old road between Grover and Boulder.