North Horn Mountain in Manti-La Sal National Forest, UT

Hike North Horn Mountain Manti-La Sal National Forest, UT

Class 2 3.8 miles 1400 gain 1-2 hr Out + Back Jun 18, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

North Horn Mountain GPX Track

I need to offset my substantial website costs somehow! You can download a hike/drive GPX to assist you here. Before sharing my GPX tracks with others, please remember my site is otherwise a free resource.

I grew infatuated with the Wasatch Plateau last year after exploring the higher peaks in the area, and North Horn Mountain was one of the peaks that stood out on a topo map. Even though this is a short hike, located on its own and with high prominence, I figured North Horn Mountain would likely would have incredibly sweeping views. It sure did! I used to be into bouldering, so I was looking forward to finally driving through a popular bouldering area called Joes Valley within the Manti-La Sal National Forest, where gigantic sandstone blocks riddled the sides of the road. I enjoyed the lengthy drive into the recreation area and then on excellent dirt roads to reach the trailhead. I parked at a fenceline since it felt like a good spot to start. I could have gone higher, but I'd driven way out here and the scenery was lovely. The road continues in decent condition for another half mile, and then burlier vehicles can make it all the way here (39.21204, -111.21801), which would make this an extremely short hike.

The road hike was uneventful except for some pretty wildflowers and the captivating landscape views behind me. I reached a road junction higher up and continued north through the lumpy terrain, very minimal bushwhacking required. I could see the rim of North Horn Mountain just ahead. To reach it, I hiked up a steep Class 2 slope to a toe on the peak's southeast side. A short, flat section led to brief, steep ascent using animal trails and I was on the rim. The views here were comparable to the rest of the hike, but eroded pinnacles on the south rim were cool to look at from above.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
North Horn Mountain
9665 ft
1905 rise

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!

From my parking spot at a fence, Is tarted up the road. North Horn Mountain seen center.
From my parking spot at a fence, Is tarted up the road. North Horn Mountain seen center.
Uneventful hike on the road.
Uneventful hike on the road.
However, the views back were fantastic.
However, the views back were fantastic.
Image 3 from gallery
Ascending along the good road before it started to get more rough.
Ascending along the good road before it started to get more rough.
View back at the incredible Wasatch Plateau landscape.
View back at the incredible Wasatch Plateau landscape.
View back toward South Horn Mountain, a smaller and lower point to the south.
View back toward South Horn Mountain, a smaller and lower point to the south.
North Horn Mountain's rim seen center.
North Horn Mountain's rim seen center.
Continuing north off the road to the toe seen center.
Continuing north off the road to the toe seen center.
Another shot back, it was quite nice.
Another shot back, it was quite nice.
Class 2 up to the toe.
Class 2 up to the toe.
A flatter section before a final short, steep ascent using animal trails.
A flatter section before a final short, steep ascent using animal trails.
Along the summit rim of North Horn Mountain, view west.
Along the summit rim of North Horn Mountain, view west.
Along the summit rim of North Horn Mountain, view south. There are some cool eroded pinnacles along the rim.
Along the summit rim of North Horn Mountain, view south. There are some cool eroded pinnacles along the rim.

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!