Grand Castle in Dixie National Forest, UT

Hike Grand Castle Dixie National Forest, UT

Class 2 3.4 miles 1400 gain 1-2 hr Out + Back Sep 23, 2024
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Grand Castle GPX Track

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I thought Grand Castle was only particularly grand when viewed from below. Its eroded southern slopes are dotted with interesting pinnacles and colorful dirt, but the hike itself is somewhat brushy and loose, and the summit isn't much more than a large, red mound. Surrounding its base are gorgeous, colorful hoodoos and steep cliffs that prevent direct access, so I figured it might be easiest to drive up the road a fair distance and choose the first ridge that seemed navigable without risk of getting cliffed-out. My choice worked out okay, though I should have anticipated the bushwhacking given my familiarity with this landscape.

I parked at the Henderson Hill Trailhead and started north from a bend in the road. The initial slope was steep and led through some brush. Although the climb remained steep, the brush was manageable, mostly just trees and clusters of manzanita to navigate around. For the most part, I was able to walk normally without too much ducking or high-stepping. This spur ridge led to the main eastern ridge of Grand Castle, where the brush became thicker and more challenging, and I ended up with a few scratches from the ascent. I enjoyed the hoodoos sprinkling the slope across the canyon to the north, blanketed with some nice sunset light.

There was a drop in the ridgeline that led into a portion with more interesting red scree terrain. Just ahead lay the final ascent to the summit. Two large columns of sandstone flanked the ridge, with a social trail leading up through light Class 2 terrain between them. The final portion involved some scree walking, followed by a straightforward push to the high point. The canyon housing Bowery Creek below, where I had driven in, was stunning from above.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Grand Castle
8576 ft
462 rise

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I started up the slope ahead, across the road from Henderson Hill Trailhead.
I started up the slope ahead, across the road from Henderson Hill Trailhead.
A bit brushy at times, but this was the worst of it.
A bit brushy at times, but this was the worst of it.
View back down toward the Henderson Hill Trailhead.
View back down toward the Henderson Hill Trailhead.
Grand Castle's interesting hoodoos visible to the west.
Grand Castle's interesting hoodoos visible to the west.
Ascending the spur ridge.
Ascending the spur ridge.
A lone pinnacle on the way up.
A lone pinnacle on the way up.
View back down at my progress.
View back down at my progress.
I reached the main east ridge of Grand Castle.
I reached the main east ridge of Grand Castle.
Grand Castle seen ahead on the right. There was a bit of a dip in the ridgeline along the way.
Grand Castle seen ahead on the right. There was a bit of a dip in the ridgeline along the way.
The route leads between the columns ahead.
The route leads between the columns ahead.
View back at the dip in the ridgeline.
View back at the dip in the ridgeline.
Some scree along the way.
Some scree along the way.
Above the sandstone columns, view back.
Above the sandstone columns, view back.
Last bit to the summit.
Last bit to the summit.
View back the way I came.
View back the way I came.
Grand Castle summit, view north toward some nicely lit hoodoos across the canyon.
Grand Castle summit, view north toward some nicely lit hoodoos across the canyon.
Grand Castle summit, view down toward the trailhead (center).
Grand Castle summit, view down toward the trailhead (center).
Grand Castle summit, view northwest.
Grand Castle summit, view northwest.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!