Hike North Tent Mountain and South Tent Mountain Manti-La Sal National Forest, UT

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Route Map

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North Tent Mountain and South Tent Mountain GPX Track

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All information I read about getting to the trailhead for North Tent Mountain and South Tent Mountain was outdated – the road (Skyline Drive) was recently graded and was a mostly pleasant ascent from the south, and an equally easy descent to the north. There were only a few ruts that would give some lower clearance vehicles difficulty.

From the trailhead, which is just a pull-off along Skyline Drive, I located the remains of an old forest road, which meandered up the west slope of North Tent Mountain. The true peak was slightly to the north, so I headed over before continuing southeast along the ridge to South Tent Mountain. Although there are a few sections where there's a faint social trail, losing the trail should be expected, but getting to South Tent Mountain is easy-going overall. From the summit of South Tent Mountain, I opted to bushwhack down its west face (Class 2), avoiding steep sections and bushes, reflected by the weird zig-zagging on my attached map. There's no one correct way down. The base of the descent left me in a lightly marshy area, which I continued through to get to a forest road. I followed this forest road west and back to my car. I would almost recommend just going back over North Tent Mountain: it's a nice ridge and avoids the bushwhacking. I just like making things into loops, even when it's overkill.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

North Tent Mountain

11230 ft

310 rise

South Tent Mountain

11285 ft

3365 rise

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North Tent Mountain visible center, South Tent Mountain on the right.

Starting up the west face of North Tent. An old road sort of zig-zags up the face.

Looking back the way I came.

Approaching the south side of North Tent Mountain's summit.

View north to the true summit.

Approaching North Tent Mountain.

North Tent Mountain, view north.

North Tent Mountain, view southeast toward South Tent Mountain.

Continuing along the ridge to South Tent.

South Tent ahead, center.

Looking back toward North Tent as I continue along the ridge.

Looking back at North Tent.

South Tent ahead.

Almost at the summit of South Tent, view back toward North Tent.

South Tent Mountain summit, view south.

South Tent Mountain summit, view west. I'll be heading down this slope, but I recommend just going back along the ridge.

At the bottom of the slope on the descent from South Tent, continuing through some marshes to get to the dirt forest road.

View back up the slope I descended, Class 2.

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!