I can see the Henry Mountains from my front yard but in the three years I'd lived here I hadn't made my way over there. They seem so remote and barren
and most people that write about them use the word 'inaccessible'. Nonetheless there are several interesting facts about them, geologically they are
a mammoform laccolith which is a feature where volcanoes have pushed lava up under them but not broken through the overlying sedimentary layers. The Henry Mountains were
in fact the first range to be called a laccolith and are mentioned in every basic university geology book. They are also home to the largest free roaming herd
of buffalo in the US, they were introduced in the mid 20th century and now number around 200. They range over a
huge area on the mountain range and the surrounding deserts and have no restrictions, unfortunately they were nowhere to be seen on this day.
The mountains are named after the secretary of the Smithsonian who helped Powell finance his expeditions in this area, they were the last major mountains to be named
in the US (Powell actually called them The Unknown Mountains on his first expedition).
The weather forecast called for a clear day so it was time to go an explore The Unknown Mountains. I decided to take the CRF because I had no idea
what the roads up the mountain were like or what condition they would be in after all the recent rain, as it turned out the roads were good and the CRF
definitely overkill. I also wanted to get to the highest point in the range which would involve a healthy hike between an altitude of 10,500 feet and 11,500 feet.
The topo maps of the whole route and the hiking section are here if you want to see them.
To reach the range I took the Notom Road to Sandy Ranch and then headed east across the Waterpocket Fold, just the usual mix of sand and dirt roads with a few bumpy patches in the washes.
� Bob Palin 2007
Even from east of the Waterpocket Fold the Henrys seem a long way off, the obvious spike in the range is Mount Ellen Peak but the highest point is on the ridge
to the right of it which I've seen referred to as Mt Ellen but it isn't marked that way on the topo map. Mount Ellen is named for the wife of the leader of
one of Powell's survey parties, 'Prof' Thompson.
� Bob Palin 2007
Rising up the western flank of the mountain the vegetation quickly changes to rabbit brush, grass and a sparse pinyon juniper forest, it's probably a bit
greener than usual at this time of year because of all the rain. Good views of Boulder Mountain to the west soon appear.
� Bob Palin 2007
Higher up the road goes through small pine and fir forests, there are also some aspen stands.
� Bob Palin 2007
From up high an abandoned school bus can be seen, there's a story there I'm sure
� Bob Palin 2007
Bull Creek Pass is the highest point on the road and is where the hiking trail to Mt Ellen Peak starts.
� Bob Palin 2007
That's where I'm going, the point on top is actually the high point on the ridge not Ellen Peak, the path pretty much follows the ridge, the wind was blowing quite hard up here.
� Bob Palin 2007
Almost up to the ridge line, the bike is way back down there almost dead centre in the picture where the road makes a V.
� Bob Palin 2007
The path continuing up onto the ridge.
� Bob Palin 2007
In places the path crossed some very rocky areas.
� Bob Palin 2007
On the ridge at last, it seemed a long way to here and still looked a long way to the top!
Stumble It!