Mount Ellen Summit Trail

This trail leads from the parking lot at the top of Bull Creek Pass north to
the summit of Mount Ellen (11,480 feet), which is located inside the Mount Ellen/Blue Hills WSA. Views from the top are outstanding in all directions and include the Thousand Lake Mountain, Boulder Mountain, The La Sal and Abajo Mountains, the Circle Cliffs and the Waterpocket Fold.  The trip from the Bull Creek Pass parking lot to the summit and back is a 5 mile round trip. The entire trip is all above tree line in an alpine zone. The trail is faint in places, but is marked by cairns.

Hikers can pick up a connecting trail which leads to Dandelion Flat Picnic ground in Sawmill Basin. This trip continues from the summit down the northeast flank of the mountain to the trailhead parking lot at Dandelion Flat in Sawmill Basin. This trail is also about 5 miles and passes through outstanding groves of aspen in sawmill basin. The path is not well marked but is an old logging path cut through the trees.
On the top of Mount Ellen there is a summit register and several primitive rock shelters which are used for overnight camping.  Please pack out whatever you bring in and leave no trace.

Take Notom Road south from Highway 24 at the east side of Capitol Reef National Park. Drive south about 8 miles to the Sandy Ranch Road. Follow this road east into the Henry Mountains. Follow the signs to Bull Creek Pass. The road is a well maintained dirt road for much of the distance. 

For more information, please contact:

Henry Mountains Field Station
(Hanksville Office)
380 South 100 West
Hanksville, Utah 84734
(435) 542-3461
utrfmail@blm.gov