(nr Hanksville UT)
Temple Mountain was important for mining high grade uranium and vanadium, and was active from 1898 to the late 1970s. During its most productive period the mines extracted ore amounting to 1,287,000 pounds of uranium oxide and 3,799,000 pounds of vanadium oxide.
Temple Mountain
The area is now closed to mining, and is protected as a Historic District and Area of Critical Environmental Concern by the BLM. Numerous hiking and ATV trails fan out into the surrounding hills of the San Rafael Swell.
Cliff at the Edge
Distant View of Temple Mountain
A pictograph panel was located in Temple Mountain Wash. Strangely, no details about it were posted. It was probably done by the Fremont, other ancestral peoples, or maybe by later natives. The mountain was named after its resemblance to a Morman Temple.
Tall Cliffs in Temple Mountain Wash
Pictograph Panel in the Wash
I had intended to hike to the Wild Horse Window; but, I couldn’t locate the trailhead. So, I only camped in the area one night, as it was getting too hot.
Camp: BLM-Temple Mountain Wash boondock
Scene: Rock formations
Thanks for the report. It is all new to me.
This is located on the way to Goblin Valley. There are some good boondocking spots, and hiking in the area around the state park.