Thomas Range in Thomas Range BLM, UT

Hike Thomas Range Thomas Range BLM, UT

Class 2 4.7 miles 2100 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Jun 9, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Much of the Thomas Range is riddled with mines, but fortunately the range is on BLM land and therefore accessible to hiking without red tape. Colorful and unique, I thought the area was gorgeous and a nice change from the otherwise typical hilly or limestone peaks found in the Great Basin Desert. I wish I were more into rockhounding, since I'm sure lots of cool specimens could be found here. I started my hike on the west side of the range from just below Colored Pass. From the main road, there are two options to reach the trailhead. I recommend using the northern option here (39.74909, -113.17096) since the southern road is in much worse shape. I parked where I did since the road got much more steep, but it ended shortly after anyway. You'll want some clearance regardless, but a Crossover vehicle is fine.

I started up the old road and when it ended, continued ascending toward Colored Pass using an animal trail up a gully. There were neat formations on the north side of the gully, and the ground was bright white. I headed south from Colored Pass, taking the undulating ridge directly south. Thomas Range High Point came into view, a picturesque mountain surrounded by steep and colorful slopes. Along the way the terrain was generally solid, but a couple of Class 2 sections had poor footing on loose dirt/rock. Some exceptionally cool white rock formations led along the ridge as well, pocked and twisting clusters that seemed more breakable than they were.

After a steep few hundred feet, I reached a false summit and I took a long look back toward Thomas Ridge, the second peak of my hike. The ridgeline leading from here to it was totally unexpectedly cool-looking and inviting, and I immediately looked forward to hiking over there. From the false summit, a straightforward ridge walk led to the high point, flattish and lightly brushy. There was lots of obsidian scattered around the summit.

I backtracked to Colored Pass and then headed up a steep Class 2 slope, now making my way toward Thomas Ridge. As I reached the first hump above the pass, I noticed a dark cloud quickly approaching, so I hustled the rest of the way. The crest was somewhat narrow and introduced bright oranges, whites, and a variety of other colors. Past the extended colorful ridge, I was then assisted by an animal trail up a couple of steeper ascent sections. Now most of the way to Thomas Ridge, I found myself hiking along a flat section for a quarter mile. Past here there was a steep Class 2 slope with some light brush that finished at a Class 2+ move to gain the summit block.

On my way back, I decided to drop off the ridge to escape the looming thunderstorm. My descent ended up being quite nice, a faint animal trail taking me down to a scenic canyon hugged by the same unique outcroppings I'd noted when starting the hike. There was some boulder-hopping and a couple of dryfalls to bypass, but it was more efficient than going all the way back along the ridgeline to Colored Pass.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Thomas Range High Point
7106 ft
1746 rise
2
Thomas Ridge
6902 ft
502 rise

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Hiking the steep, bad road to Colored Pass. There were some colorful formations along the way.
Hiking the steep, bad road to Colored Pass. There were some colorful formations along the way.
The road ended, so I took this gully up to Colored Pass above.
The road ended, so I took this gully up to Colored Pass above.
View back below Colored Pass.
View back below Colored Pass.
At Colored Pass, view south at the start of the hike to Thomas Range High Point.
At Colored Pass, view south at the start of the hike to Thomas Range High Point.
View back toward Thomas Ridge and the ridgeline leading to it.
View back toward Thomas Ridge and the ridgeline leading to it.
Somewhat steep ascent, a bit rocky, but never exceeding Class 2.
Somewhat steep ascent, a bit rocky, but never exceeding Class 2.
Thomas Range High Point seen ahead.
Thomas Range High Point seen ahead.
Undulating ridgeline to Thomas Range High Point.
Undulating ridgeline to Thomas Range High Point.
Some very cool formations on the way up.
Some very cool formations on the way up.
View back at my progress from Colored Pass (seen right of center).
View back at my progress from Colored Pass (seen right of center).
The remaining ridgeline to Thomas Range High Point.
The remaining ridgeline to Thomas Range High Point.
A cool bump along the way.
A cool bump along the way.
Crazy formations along the ascent.
Crazy formations along the ascent.
Steep final push to the false summit.
Steep final push to the false summit.
More cool formations on the way to Thomas Range High Point.
More cool formations on the way to Thomas Range High Point.
View back along the ridgeline, Thomas Ridge (my second peak) seen top center.
View back along the ridgeline, Thomas Ridge (my second peak) seen top center.
At the false summit, continuing to the high point.
At the false summit, continuing to the high point.
Thomas Range High Point seen left.
Thomas Range High Point seen left.
Thomas Range High Point, view south.
Thomas Range High Point, view south.
Onward to Thomas Ridge, Colored Pass seen just below.
Onward to Thomas Ridge, Colored Pass seen just below.
View toward the colorful ridgeline to come. Thomas Ridge seen center.
View toward the colorful ridgeline to come. Thomas Ridge seen center.
Very cool colors along the narrow ridgeline.
Very cool colors along the narrow ridgeline.
View back, Thomas Range High Point seen right.
View back, Thomas Range High Point seen right.
More cool color stripes.
More cool color stripes.
Ascending along the ridgeline, Thomas Ridge seen center.
Ascending along the ridgeline, Thomas Ridge seen center.
Another shot back along the ridgeline.
Another shot back along the ridgeline.
Thomas Ridge seen right.
Thomas Ridge seen right.
Approaching Thomas Ridge.
Approaching Thomas Ridge.
Summit seen ahead. Class 2/2+ found on the right side.
Summit seen ahead. Class 2/2+ found on the right side.
Thomas Ridge summit, view toward Thomas Range High Point and an oncoming storm.
Thomas Ridge summit, view toward Thomas Range High Point and an oncoming storm.
After backtracking, I took this descent option through a pretty canyon.
After backtracking, I took this descent option through a pretty canyon.
Cool outcroppings on the way down. Thomas Range High Point seen top left.
Cool outcroppings on the way down. Thomas Range High Point seen top left.

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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!