Hike Temple Mountain Overlook Peak via Temple Wash San Rafael Swell BLM, UT

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Temple Mountain Overlook Peak (Peak 6100) is a nice overlook along the rim of the San Rafael Reef. There are at least two ways to get to the high point. The more standard route follows likely would mean coming from the southeast through Temple Wash. This sandy wash leads through some gentle wannabe-narrows before an old ATV/mining trail leads the way farther up Temple Wash. We reached a junction, where heading right leads to a small arch known as Arrowhead Arch. This was a feature we learned of from the website gjhikes.com and we included it in our route since it was so close, but in my opinion it's probably not even worth the visit.

We continued along Temple Wash until the ATV trail led out of the canyon and onto Temple Wash's south rim. The old road continued to just a few hundred feet from the summit, where Class 2 brought us up from there. The obstacles were minimal until the Class 2 summit block. We had nice views toward the impressive Temple Mountain to the north.

If you'd rather shorten the hike and exlude Arrowhead Arch, you can use this alternate trailhead (38.66052, -110.67067). The slope is Class 2 and meets up with an ATV road not long after reaching the top of the slope. This route would make the hike 2.1 miles and 800 vertical gain.

I should also note that the imagery is incorrect on my attached map; a rather major-looking bench circles the south side of the peak, but this bench doesn't actually exist in real life. I indicated this false feature on the map.

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

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Temple Mountain Overlook Peak (Peak 6100)

6100 ft

320 rise

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Temple Wash.

Continuing up Temple Wash.

At the junction of the ATV road, right leads to Arrowhead Arch, center of this photo somewhere.

Arrowhead Arch. It's small enough I had to question if it even fits the Utah 3-foot-opening rule.

Back on the main ATV road, we left Temple Wash (visible on the right), as the road ascended the south rim.

Looking back into Temple Wash.

Approaching the top of the slope.

View back again into Temple Wash.

After the ATV road ended, we continued along the slope toward the summit. The alternate rout I noted on my attached map follows the base of the cliffs visible in the center of this photo.

Slickrock and dirt slope leading us higher.

A shot back as we near the summit.

Nearing the summit, Temple Mountain poking out.

Summit block.

Summit of Temple Mountain Overlook Peak, view west.

Summit of Temple Mountain Overlook Peak, view east. Temple Mountain visible on the left.

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!