Long Dong Silver Spire | Hanksville

Hiking Long Dong Silver Spire - Hanksville Hiking Long Dong Silver Spire

Hanksville

Overview

RATING: Easy hike
MAPS: SKYLINE RIM, UT; STEAMBOAT POINT, UT

Sat

Sunny. High near 48, with temperatures falling to around 44 in the afternoon. North northeast wind around 1 mph.

48 | 24

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. North wind around 2 mph.

47 | 23

Mon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

44 | 22

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 40.

40 | 16

Wed

Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.

39 | 15

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any though very hot in the summer. Roads must be dry to reach the trailhead.
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: None, bring all you need.

Sat

Sunny. High near 48, with temperatures falling to around 44 in the afternoon. North northeast wind around 1 mph.

48 | 24

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. North wind around 2 mph.

47 | 23

Mon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

44 | 22

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 40.

40 | 16

Wed

Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.

39 | 15

View Full Weather Details
Long Dong Silver at Sunrise

Long Dong Silver at Sunrise

Known as Long Dong Silver, Black Spire, Silver Tower, Lone Tower, and many other names, this area near Hanksville has exploded in popularity recently. The valley is a moonscape scene, with a couple of dramatic towers punctuating the views. It is a unique and otherworldly place to visit.

Access Notes
Reaching the trailhead requires driving 1.3 miles on a dirt road. The road is accessible by medium clearance vehicles, except when wet. Do NOT try to visit when wet, as you will definitely tear up the road and likely get stuck!

Moreover, the map shows the route from highway 24. Please try to stay on the route shown on the map. People are driving just about everywhere and trampling the flats. The path marked on the map is the official road.

The BLM has closed the road before entering the valley proper, so to visit will require a short hike of about 2 miles roundtrip. The valley, compared to my first visit years ago, has been trampled by vehicles. Please respect the closure and hike from the closure sign.

Name History: The name Long Dong Silver comes from Matt Moore and Josh Blumental, who climbed the tower in February, 1993. Before grabbing your chalk bag and shoes and heading out, keep in mind the tower is a crumbling A3 choss-fest. Well-experienced desert aid climbers only! Hats off to Matt and Josh for putting a route up such a beautiful, yet crumbly tower.
Long Dong Silver Spire

Long Dong Silver Spire

Getting There

Head west on UT-24 from Hanksville for about 7 miles to mile post 109.35. There is a dirt road leaving UT-24 hear on the right (north) side of the highway. Reset your odometer as you turn off the highway.

Follow the dirt road north. At about 0.5 miles it curves left which a lesser used track continues north. Go left staying on the main road. The road heads west, then curves north ending 1.2 miles from the highway at a road closure sign. This is the trailhead.

The first spire on the hike in.

The first spire on the hike in.

Route

From the trailhead, follow the now closed road north into the valley. An impressive tower in on the left, a short distance from the trailhead, and I think worth the side trip to visit up-close.

Stay on the old road, it crosses the wash, then rounds a corner to where Long Dong Silver comes into view straight ahead. Social trails go up to and around the tower. A dramatic tower.

Return the way you came.


Videos

youtube thumbnail

Long Dong Silver Spire

By: ryancornia

Maps

Route / 2.27 miles / Elevation Range 4,400 - 4,573 ft.
Printable Maps:

MP109.35

12S 514680mE 4246818mN

N38° 22' 10" W110° 49' 55"

Trailhead

12S 514153mE 4248228mN

N38° 22' 56" W110° 50' 17"

First Tower

12S 514018mE 4249091mN

N38° 23' 24" W110° 50' 22"

Long Dong Silver Tower

12S 514659mE 4249528mN

N38° 23' 38" W110° 49' 56"

Comments

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