Hiking Slickrock Bench Trail
Torrey
Overview
|
Sat 82 | 57 |
Sun 83 | 59 |
Mon 81 | 59 |
Tue 82 | 57 |
Wed 83 | 57 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
|
Sat 82 | 57 |
Sun 83 | 59 |
Mon 81 | 59 |
Tue 82 | 57 |
Wed 83 | 57 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
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.
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
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.
Photos
Maps
| Trailhead |
12S 472338E 4227957N 38°11'57"N 111°18'57"W |
| Junction, go right. |
12S 472373E 4227722N 38°11'49"N 111°18'56"W |
| Forest Boundary |
12S 471868E 4227750N 38°11'50"N 111°19'17"W |
| Junction, go left. |
12S 471730E 4227268N 38°11'34"N 111°19'22"W |
| Corner and Views |
12S 472614E 4225282N 38°10'30"N 111°18'46"W |