The Henry Mountains Revisited

[IntrepidXJ]

This past Labor Day Weekend Amanda had to unfortunately work on Sunday and Monday, so I was on my own. I figured that I would head back to The Henry Mountains to complete some of the trails that were blocked by snow on our last trip, plus do a little hiking to the top of Mount Ellen. You can find the previous trip report <a href="http://www.myxj.net/blog/3201" target="_blank">here</a>.

After some breakfast on Sunday morning I made my way to Hanksville, where I topped off of my gas tank and headed south towards The Henry Mountains.

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I did a little exploring on some side roads before actually reaching the mountains.
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Following the Sawmill Basin Road around Bull Mountain
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...and then up to Wickiup Pass at 9,200 feet.
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Nice views of the desert stretching out beyond the mountains
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On my way to Copper Ridge
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[IntrepidXJ]

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View over the desert from the end of Copper Ridge. You can just see the outline of the La Sal Mountains in the distance.
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Circling around the South Summit of Mount Ellen. Waterpocket Fold in the distance
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Stopped at Bull Creek Pass. Mount Ellen in the background. It was very windy this day, so I decided to wait until the next morning to hike to the high peak in this photo.
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On my way down from Bull Creek Pass
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[IntrepidXJ]

Past Bull Mountain again
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...and into Crescent Creek Canyon
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This old miner's cabin was along Crescent Creek
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This cabin built from stone was a little further down the road
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I looped back around Bull Mountain and setup camp for the night in Sawmill Basin
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The following morning I packed up camp and headed five miles up to Bull Creek Pass again, so that I could start my hike up Mount Ellen. It was pretty cold when I started the hike, but before I reached the top the weather finally warmed up a bit and got much more pleasant.

On my way up
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Finally out of the shade.....my shadow overlooking Capitol Reef
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[IntrepidXJ]

Looking back towards Bull Creek Pass
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Continuing up
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Nearing the high point
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Great views from the top
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There were a few small shelters built into the rocks at the top
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Self portrait at the top
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Time to head back down
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Back at the trailhead
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[IntrepidXJ]

Before driving home to finish off the weekend, I made a stop at Little Egypt and took a few photos.

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Thus ends another nice weekend of exploring. It was nice to be able to finish what I started back in June :)

[offpiste]

:clap:

[accadacca]

Good stuff as always. :popcorn:

[Udink]

Sweet trip, Randy! Got some desert and mountains all in one. I've never been to the Henrys, but it looks like a great place to hang out.