Navajo Mountain in Navajo Nation, UT

Hike Navajo Mountain Navajo Nation, UT

Class 1 9.1 miles 3000 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Jun 1, 2022
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Navajo Mountain GPX Track

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This route may have access issues.

2023 Update: Someone reached out to alert me that accessing Navajo Mountain is illegal, referenced on their website. Even though there are radio towers on the summit, apparently the peak is "sacred" and access is forbidden.

Navajo Mountain stands high above the sandstone desert surrounding Lake Powell, a tempting summit since it can be seen from every direction from far distances. The peak is on Navajo tribal lands, but recent reports state no permit is necessary and all are welcome. This might change in the future because the native tribes seem to change their permit and access rules with absurd regularity. The hike follows a road for its duration and is completely underwhelming, the exception being one nice viewpoint along the way. To reach the summit, drive to here (37.01384, -110.79096) and turn left, heading west. The start of the road begins a bit sandy, but two wheel drive should not have a problem, though high clearance is necessary. Crossover vehicles could make it to where I parked, though the last half mile might give some trouble. I parked where I did because just past there was a very steep section. You could potentially drive to the summit with a crazy enough vehicle, but I really wanted some exercise after all the driving it took to get here. Also, being this far from civilization and all alone, I didn’t want to risk any car problems.

From my parking spot, I hiked the initial steep slope and a few switchbacks, some interesting rock outcroppings to the east making me think the hike could be prettier than anticipated, but after a few miles of forest and minimal views, I popped on my headphones. Past the initially steep section the road calmed down for a bit, so I was a little antsy about all the easy and fairly flat road walking. However, even if you did manage to drive past that initial rough patch, you really have to be determined to not do any exercise at all if you are willing to drive up the rough switchbacks that start at around 8700′. This is a very poor section of road with loose rock and steep hairpin turns. These road switchbacks cleared enough trees away that I was happy I could finally see the amazing desert scenery below. This lasted only a short time and I was back in the forest for the rest of the hike to the summit, which was covered in too many trees to see past the many ugly radio towers.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Navajo Mountain
10346 ft
4226 rise

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View toward where I parked. Some might have trouble with the last half mile to get to where I did. Others can drive farther.
View toward where I parked. Some might have trouble with the last half mile to get to where I did. Others can drive farther.
View back at some cool cliffs shortly after starting along the road walk.
View back at some cool cliffs shortly after starting along the road walk.
Mostly forested. Note a little sign on the rock just off the road reading "Welcome white man".
Mostly forested. Note a little sign on the rock just off the road reading "Welcome white man".
Just lots of forest walking.
Just lots of forest walking.
The south ridge of Navajo Mountain becomes visible on the right.
The south ridge of Navajo Mountain becomes visible on the right.
Switchbacks up the ridge.
Switchbacks up the ridge.
Yay, views!
Yay, views!
Close-up of the views from the switchbacks.
Close-up of the views from the switchbacks.
Another close-up.
Another close-up.
Gnarly road with tight switchbacks.
Gnarly road with tight switchbacks.
And then back into the forest.
And then back into the forest.
Glimpses of a view along the way.
Glimpses of a view along the way.
But mostly just forest. Not a fun hike.
But mostly just forest. Not a fun hike.
Radio tower pokes up in the distance.
Radio tower pokes up in the distance.
Navajo Mountain summit.
Navajo Mountain summit.

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!