Hiking Lost Spring Area
Northern Henry Mountains
Overview
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Tue 34 | 22 |
Wed 34 | 20 |
Thu 38 | 25 |
Fri 40 | 26 |
Sat 40 | 29 |
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Tue 34 | 22 |
Wed 34 | 20 |
Thu 38 | 25 |
Fri 40 | 26 |
Sat 40 | 29 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
Table Mountain from near Lost Spring
Table Mountain on the northern end of the Henry Mountains has always intrigued me, its craggy slopes are studded with pillars and towers that look quite dramatic from a distance. When I finally visited Table Mountain via Lost Springs, I wasn't disappointed. The spires and towers are even more dramatic up close, and the views from the area of the badlands to the north and Capitol Reef National Park to the west are quite dramatic.
The higher elevation of this hike makes it a great one to do in the summer, when trying to escape the desert heat of the lower elevations. There is ok primitive camping in the area, though they do run cows around the springs.
The hike described has two different sections that start from the same trailhead. The first heads south, mostly along cow trails. This is shorter, but gets closer to the base of Table Mountain. The second option follows an old trail, likely used when moving cattle in the area, east along the base of the mountain. The second option is longer and probably my favorite.
The craggy Table Mountain
Getting There
Access requires driving across the Fremont River, which is generally quite low. After recent heavy rains or for a brief time during spring run-off, the crossing may be impossible. Current flow is available at USGS ( https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/09330000/#parameterCode=00065 ) At 80 CFS, it was easily passable in Subaru type vehicles. Likely passable up to 100 CFS or a bit more depending on the vehicle.
Reaching the trailhead starts in the ghost town of Giles. This is about 7.5 miles west of Hanksville on UT-24, or about 40 miles east of Torrey on UT-24. At milepost 106.9 is the turn off on the south side of UT-24. This is signed Giles/Blue Valley.
- Mile Post 106.9 - Turn south off the highway and reset your odometer. ( 12S 510999mE 4245672mN / N38° 21' 33" W110° 52' 27" )
- 500' - River Ford. This is generally shallow, but can be impassable during very high spring run-off or after heavy rains. Inspect before crossing. ( 12S 510981mE 4245540mN / N38° 21' 29" W110° 52' 28" )
- 1.6 miles - Juncition to Blue Valley (Private) just after Steamboat Point. Stay right, the road now heads south. There are a few side roads during this next section. Always stay on the main dirt road, ignoring the minor side roads. ( 12S 512743mE 4245157mN / N38° 21' 16" W110° 51' 15" )
- 7.8 miles - Small side road on the left going to slickrock. This is the side road to Riding Desert Sheep rock art panel. ( 12S 511719mE 4236894mN / N38° 16' 48" W110° 51' 58" )
- 10.1 miles - Major junction. Got right toward Lost Spring, staying on the main road from here for about 5.5 more miles. ( 12S 512710mE 4233736mN / N38° 15' 06" W110° 51' 17" )
- 15.7 miles - Lost Spring Trailhead ( 12S 513311mE 4226298mN / N38° 11' 04" W110° 50' 53" )
Panorama of Table Mountain
Route
Shorter South Option (1.5 miles round-trip)
From the trailhead, head east just a minute or two on an old road until it crosses a drainage. Go up this drainage. Once you get a short distance up, there are well-defined cow trails to follow. The cow trails go up to Willow Spring, a lush spring area. I continued up from Willow Spring about 1/4 of a mile, trending left at junctions, to get to the talus field at the base of Table Mountain and close-up views of the jagged base. Return the same way.
Longer Old Trail Option (up to about 4 miles round-trip)
From the trailhead, follow the old road as it heads east. In spots, on my visit, this showed ATV trails for a short distance, then settles into more of a cow trail. In general, it is east to find and follow.
After about a mile, it begins to get closer to the base of Table Mountain and climb a drainage that becomes deeper and more defined.
About 1.9 miles from the trailhead, it reaches what appears to be an old, closed road. The road doesn't show on USGS maps, but has clearly seen traffic. I assume it goes over to Birch Creek. The old road was my turnaround spot, as the hike is past the most interesting part of Table Mountain and now more forested.
Return the same way.
Photos
Maps
| Trailhead |
12S 513310mE 4226299mN N38° 11' 04" W110° 50' 53" |
| Old Road? |
12S 515804mE 4225186mN N38° 10' 28" W110° 49' 10" |
| South Route Wash |
12S 513427mE 4226242mN N38° 11' 02" W110° 50' 48" |
| Spring Area |
12S 513173mE 4225186mN N38° 10' 28" W110° 50' 59" |