Mansard Benchmark and East Mansard Peak in Vermilion Cliffs BLM, UT

Hike Mansard Benchmark and East Mansard Peak Vermilion Cliffs BLM, UT

Class 3 6.3 miles 1500 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back May 31, 2022
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Mansard Benchmark and East Mansard Peak GPX Track

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Mansard Benchmark is a cool-looking little mesa just outside of Kanab, Utah. Its neighbor to the east resembles the domes of Zion, and would serve as a nice addition with some light scrambling. These peaks were on my radar because a really nice trail known as the Mansard Trail leads nearly to their summits, making for a straightforward approach. Although my main goal was to visit the peaks, the Mansard Trail's primary destination is a slab with many petroglyphs, a worthwhile add-on. To reach the trailhead, navigate here (37.03125, -112.42115) and follow the good dirt road to the end.

The Mansard Trail switchbacks excessively up a slope, and it seems to be a pretty popular hiking spot. One Class 2+ move along the trail is the only notable obstacle, and I quickly found myself on a pretty ridgeline above. Both of my peaks of interest were just to the north, and the Mansard Trail continued pleasantly toward them. Just before reaching the southern base of East Mansard Peak, the trail curved left and headed west toward Mansard Benchmark. I'd come back for this east peak later.

Some easy walking got me to a junction with a very sandy ATV road at the base of Mansard Benchmark, and at the end of this road was a sign outlining the rules for visiting the petroglyphs. A short hike along the base of the southern cliff of Mansard Benchmark got me to a pretty alcove where I located the petroglyphs on a slab on the ground.

I backtracked along the sandy road and followed it north as it wrapped around to the north side of Mansard Benchmark. The road continued away from the peak, so I left it and headed up toward the cliff band surrounding Mansard Benchmark. I kept my eyes peeled for a weakness, finding a Class 3 move that worked nicely. Some steep hill climbing past this (Class 2) and I was on the mesa top. Some light bush-dodging got me to the high point.

I backtracked along the Mansard Trail to the base of East Mansard Peak, where I picked up a fairly good social trail that wrapped to the south side of the peak. A slickrock bowl offered some nice Class 2 scrambling and a Class 2+ move toward the summit.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Mansard Benchmark
6385 ft
585 rise
2
East Mansard Peak
6320 ft
240 rise

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Staring from the Mansard Trailhead. East Mansard Peak visible center.
Staring from the Mansard Trailhead. East Mansard Peak visible center.
View back toward the trailhead, seen below.
View back toward the trailhead, seen below.
Some nice switchbacks lead up to the rim above.
Some nice switchbacks lead up to the rim above.
A Class 2+ section along the Mansard Trail.
A Class 2+ section along the Mansard Trail.
View back at the many switchbacks.
View back at the many switchbacks.
Approaching the rim above.
Approaching the rim above.
Mansard Benchmark (left) and East Mansard Peak (right) come into view.
Mansard Benchmark (left) and East Mansard Peak (right) come into view.
The Mansard Trail passes right by East Mansard Peak (seen right).
The Mansard Trail passes right by East Mansard Peak (seen right).
Along the Mansard Trail, approaching the base of Mansard Benchmark.
Along the Mansard Trail, approaching the base of Mansard Benchmark.
Junction with a sandy road.
Junction with a sandy road.
The petroglyphs are located on a slab within this alcove.
The petroglyphs are located on a slab within this alcove.
Mansard Petroglyphs.
Mansard Petroglyphs.
View from the alcove.
View from the alcove.
Signage for the Mansard Petroglyphs.
Signage for the Mansard Petroglyphs.
I backtracked to the road and followed it as it wrapped around to the north side of Mansard Benchmark.
I backtracked to the road and followed it as it wrapped around to the north side of Mansard Benchmark.
I left the road and headed up to the base of the cliffs.
I left the road and headed up to the base of the cliffs.
I stayed along the northern cliff band of Mansard Benchmark in search for a weakness.
I stayed along the northern cliff band of Mansard Benchmark in search for a weakness.
View back along the base of the cliff.
View back along the base of the cliff.
A Class 3 weakness.
A Class 3 weakness.
Short, steep slope above the Class 3 move. I kept to the right at the rocky stuff ahead and easy walking brought me up and to the flat top.
Short, steep slope above the Class 3 move. I kept to the right at the rocky stuff ahead and easy walking brought me up and to the flat top.
Hiking to the high point of Mansard Benchmark.
Hiking to the high point of Mansard Benchmark.
View toward East Mansard Peak from Mansard Benchmark.
View toward East Mansard Peak from Mansard Benchmark.
Back on the sandy road, on my way to East Mansard Peak.
Back on the sandy road, on my way to East Mansard Peak.
A social trail leads to the base of the peak.
A social trail leads to the base of the peak.
A nice Class 2 slickrock bowl.
A nice Class 2 slickrock bowl.
View back at my progress up the slickrock bowl. I came from the center in this photo.
View back at my progress up the slickrock bowl. I came from the center in this photo.
There's a Class 2+/3 move above due to a steep slab.
There's a Class 2+/3 move above due to a steep slab.
East Mansard Peak summit, view west toward Mansard Benchmark.
East Mansard Peak summit, view west toward Mansard Benchmark.
East Mansard Peak summit, view north.
East Mansard Peak summit, view north.

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!