Wild Horse Canyon Peaks via Wildhorse Window in San Rafael Swell BLM, UT

Hike Wild Horse Canyon Peaks via Wildhorse Window San Rafael Swell BLM, UT

Class 3 7.9 miles 2300 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Feb 20, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Wild Horse Canyon Peaks via Wildhorse Window GPX Track

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The terrain of the San Rafael Reef is pretty amazing, the tilted landscape always a bit disorienting. This lovely route visits the rim of the reef, getting to two different high points. It's really the first time I've been to the top of the Reef, and the views are fantastic. Access to the trailhead is fine for any vehicle.

Our group started out along the Wildhorse Window trail/route. It's pretty clear, cairns marking the route for much of the way. It's also a pretty popular spot, the destination being an impressive hole in the ceiling. After checking out the feature, we backtracked a short stretch and climbed out of Wildhorse Window's drainage on the east side of the canyon, fun Class 3 bringing us to the slickrock above. We continued generally northwest, our first goal being to reach Peak 6180. The terrain was overall easy to navigate, a couple of Class 2/2+ moves (and Class 3 if you don't do a good job of looking around) over ledges or boulders. Please avoid stepping on the plentiful cryptobiotic soil.

We took in the views from the summit for a bit before debating for a while if we wanted to go for Peak 6100, another peak just to the west. A major drainage separated the two peaks, meaning we'd need to descend all the way into Wildhorse Canyon to the south before reascending. After a lot of indecision, we decided to go for it. However, our route made pretty much no sense at all, so I removed it from my attached map and included a dotted line outlining a "probable" option. I say this because we didn't go this way, but based on the terrain we encountered overall, it seems like it would be a perfectly fine option. At least along the way we went, we had to zig-zag a bit to avoid ledges, but ultimately I can't imagine there aren't numerous ways down from Peak 6180. Choose your own adventure, I suppose.

Once within Wildhorse Canyon below, we continued toward its head, passing around some short narrows before locating a reasonable-looking Class 2 route up the tilted slope. We followed the slope on interesting terrain, more Class 2/2+ route-finding around boulders and ledges, but mostly the slickrock and dirt slope made for a nice ascent with little difficulty. We enjoyed the views from this peak (though they weren't much different than Peak 6180) before returning the way we came. The hike down Wildhorse Canyon was nice, the tall walls and sandy drainage giving way to a short section of narrows before we found our way back to the Wildhorse Window Trailhead.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Peak 6180
6180 ft
480 rise
2
Peak 6100
6100 ft
360 rise

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Starting along the Wildhorse Window Trail. The route leads into the slickrock ahead.
Starting along the Wildhorse Window Trail. The route leads into the slickrock ahead.
Entering the drainage leading to Wildhorse Window.
Entering the drainage leading to Wildhorse Window.
Wildhorse Window ahead.
Wildhorse Window ahead.
Wildhorse Window.
Wildhorse Window.
Image 4 from gallery
Class 3 escape from the Wildhorse Window drainage.
Class 3 escape from the Wildhorse Window drainage.
Slickrock above Wildhorse Window.
Slickrock above Wildhorse Window.
The terrain was overall pretty straightforward, moreso a slope than obstacle-ridden.
The terrain was overall pretty straightforward, moreso a slope than obstacle-ridden.
We did have to scramble down a ledge or two like this one.
We did have to scramble down a ledge or two like this one.
Continuing to the summit of Peak 6180.
Continuing to the summit of Peak 6180.
Looking back as we ascend to Peak 6180.
Looking back as we ascend to Peak 6180.
Peak 6180, view west toward Peak 6100.
Peak 6180, view west toward Peak 6100.
Temple Mountain over there.
Temple Mountain over there.
We dropped down into Wild Horse Canyon, but I didn't include any photos from this section since our route was a mess. You can likely find any number of options for descending the ledges and cliffy terrain. I marked that section in purple on my attached map.
We dropped down into Wild Horse Canyon, but I didn't include any photos from this section since our route was a mess. You can likely find any number of options for descending the ledges and cliffy terrain. I marked that section in purple on my attached map.
Heading up Wild Horse Canyon.
Heading up Wild Horse Canyon.
Leaving Wild Horse Canyon to ascend to Peak 6100.
Leaving Wild Horse Canyon to ascend to Peak 6100.
Looking back toward Wild Horse Canyon as we ascend the Class 2 slope toward Peak 6100.
Looking back toward Wild Horse Canyon as we ascend the Class 2 slope toward Peak 6100.
Relatively mild ascent with some minor obstacles.
Relatively mild ascent with some minor obstacles.
Looking back toward Wild Horse Canyon.
Looking back toward Wild Horse Canyon.
Another shot back as we near the summit of Peak 6100.
Another shot back as we near the summit of Peak 6100.
Peak 6100, view toward Peak 6180 (where we just were) and Temple Mountain.
Peak 6100, view toward Peak 6180 (where we just were) and Temple Mountain.
View west along the rim.
View west along the rim.
Within Wild Horse Canyon on our way back. There was one section of avoidable narrows, but the narrow offered a fun little downclimb (not pictured).
Within Wild Horse Canyon on our way back. There was one section of avoidable narrows, but the narrow offered a fun little downclimb (not pictured).
Some pretty narrows as we neared the mouth of Wild Horse Canyon.
Some pretty narrows as we neared the mouth of Wild Horse Canyon.
Looking back up Wild Horse Canyon.
Looking back up Wild Horse Canyon.

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!