North Caineville Mesa in Henry Mountains BLM, UT

Hike North Caineville Mesa Henry Mountains BLM, UT

Class 2 1.6 miles 1200 gain 1-2 hr Out + Back Oct 6, 2016
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

North Caineville Mesa GPX Track

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This is a short and steep hike with no official trailhead and just outside the boundary of Capitol Reef National Park. Starting from UT 24, I looked up at the dry and muddy finger ridges stretching down from North Caineville Mesa and tried to locate the least steep-looking of the fingers. A cairn marked a social trail that followed the dark dry finger leading into the weird landscape and to the base of the steep section. The dark old mud gave way to loose sandstone. Cairns marked the way up a somewhat unpleasant Class 2 slope to a pretty bench. A trail continued northeast along the bench at the base of North Caineville Mesa's well-fortified cliffy base before working up the rock outcropping on its east side. The social trail follows a weakness around to the north side of the outcropping before a short Class 2+ scramble took me through a talus cave and around a few bouldery moves. A final short section of slot canyon leads to the summit mesa. The true highpoint is a long way north, but I was content with this stopping point.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
North Caineville Mesa
6132 ft
n/a rise

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Starting from some old construction equipment, the ridge of choice in the center. North Caineville Mesa looks fairly imposing from here.
Starting from some old construction equipment, the ridge of choice in the center. North Caineville Mesa looks fairly imposing from here.
Starting up the dark ridge.
Starting up the dark ridge.
Image 2 from gallery
Continuing along the ridge.
Continuing along the ridge.
I thought my shadow looked cool.
I thought my shadow looked cool.
Looking back along the ridge I came up, South Caineville Mesa in the distance.
Looking back along the ridge I came up, South Caineville Mesa in the distance.
Toward the end of the black ridge as I got onto the sandstone slope.
Toward the end of the black ridge as I got onto the sandstone slope.
Looking back as I work up the steep slope.
Looking back as I work up the steep slope.
Sandstone Class 2.
Sandstone Class 2.
Looking back the way I came, just before making it to the bench.
Looking back the way I came, just before making it to the bench.
On the bench, the imposing cliffs of North Caineville Mesa ahead. The social trail leads to the right around the cliffs.
On the bench, the imposing cliffs of North Caineville Mesa ahead. The social trail leads to the right around the cliffs.
Following the bench, heading northeast.
Following the bench, heading northeast.
The social trail wraps around to the north side of the rocky cliffs.
The social trail wraps around to the north side of the rocky cliffs.
A weakness to get within the cliffs.
A weakness to get within the cliffs.
Working along the social trail, now heading west.
Working along the social trail, now heading west.
Fun talus cave obstacle.
Fun talus cave obstacle.
Entering a mini slot canyon.
Entering a mini slot canyon.
Looking back the way I came, South Caineville Mesa visible in the center.
Looking back the way I came, South Caineville Mesa visible in the center.
I really thought this was an interesting section, just before the top of the mesa (on the right).
I really thought this was an interesting section, just before the top of the mesa (on the right).
Image 19 from gallery
On North Caineville Mesa's rim, view south.
On North Caineville Mesa's rim, view south.
Image 21 from gallery
View north.
View north.
Image 23 from gallery
View west into Capitol Reef National Park.
View west into Capitol Reef National Park.
Cool cracks on the ground, taken once I returned to the trailhead.
Cool cracks on the ground, taken once I returned to the trailhead.

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!