Roadside Attraction Bluebell Knoll

Wayne County Highpoint

Overview

( Rated 3.5 / 2 Ratings )

2 Todo Lists / 0 Ticks

RATING: Easy

LENGTH: 30 minutes (0.5 mile)

MAPS: Blind Lake, UT; Government Point, UT

Sun

26 | 19

Mon

24 | 12

Tue

23 | 17

Wed

19 | 15

Thu

18 | 4

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SEASON: Late Spring, Summer, Fall

GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear

NOTES: The road up is rough, in particular the last few miles. A high clearance vehicle should be able to make it in most conditions. A low clearance vehicle can likely make it to within 3.2 miles of the trailhead. 3.2 miles from the Trailhead is a gate that is locked from November 1st to mid-June.

Sun

26 | 19

Mon

24 | 12

Tue

23 | 17

Wed

19 | 15

Thu

18 | 4

View Full Weather Details

county highpoint

peak

roadside

access: high clearance

Views across the plateau

You don't hike Bluebell Knoll for the sheer challenge and exhilaration of summiting a lofty peak. As its name implies, it is a knoll, not a peak and is barely higher than the surrounding landscape. Bluebell Knoll is one of the easiest of the county high points in Utah. The area around Bluebell Knoll, the Aquarius Plateau, however, is incredibly scenic. It is also the highpoint for Wayne County, which is likely the reason most people visit.

Rising 6000' above the surrounding desert, the Aquarius Plateau is a stunningly high (11,000') flat plateau dotted with dozens of picturesque small ponds and lakes. It is the highest timbered plateau in North America. Rumor has it that when named, Boulder Mountain (aka the Aquarius Plateau) and Thousand Lake Mountain just to the north, had their names mistakenly switched when transcribed at the USGS office. It is easy to see why this area would be called Thousand Lake. The views of the surrounding (comparatively) lowlands and the plateau with its many small lakes are what make this trip. Many of the lakes are known for fishing, so bring a pole, this is a great area to camp, fish, and enjoy a few relaxing days. There is a campground en route to Bluebell Knoll; however I would highly recommend just primitive camping on top of the plateau near any of the small lakes that strikes your fancy. Minimum impact camping techniques are required, and limit travel to existing routes.

big views

Getting There

Access is from Bicknell, Ut, on the north side of the Aquarius:

Go east out of Bicknell on highway 24. 2.5 miles from town, turn right on Bicknell Cr, this is just across from the Great Western Trailhead on the left.
Drive 3.8 miles from highway 24 on the paved county road to a junction. Go right, on the dirt road to Boulder Top. Reset Odometer
0.7 miles, go left on Forest Service Road 178
1.5 - enter National Forest
7.6 - Go left
12.6 - Go left
12.8 - Gate, closed in the winter, until mid-June.
14.2 - Left
16.0 - Trailhead. An old sign on the left of the road here is now just a post. If you reach a T-Junction, you've gone to far. Backtrack about a 1/4 mile.

The lofty summit from the trailhead

Harder than the actual summit.

Route

Summit: 3449 m ( 11316 ft. )
Trailhead: 3425 m ( 11237 ft. )

Not much to the hike. From the trailhead, wander north to the top of the small knoll and a summit cairn.