Robertson Pasture Trail-Blue Mountains

The Robertson Pasture Trail is in the Blue or Abajo Mountains west of Monticello in southeast Utah. This small mountain range is one of several in the region that was formed as an igneous intrusion, molten rock pushing up and folding the overlying rock but not forming a volcano.


I started my hike at Foy Lake which is about 11 miles straight west of Monticello. There are several other trail heads in the vicinity of this small lake.

The trail starts in rich Pinon Pine and Juniper forest with  Gambel Oak mixed in. The route circles counter clock wise around North Peak at 10, 823 feet, and climbs fairly steeply.

Wildflowers are good along this trail. The lower part of the trail has good views to the north toward the Canyonlands National Park area. An area of petrified sand dunes is visible.

As the trail swings around the south side of North Peak the views to the west open up. The area to the west is the Dark Canyon Wilderness and Primitive Areas.

Arriving at the open meadow pasture areas there are views of Abajo Peak, at 11,014 feet the tallest point in this range. The Robertson Pasture Trail continues on and connects with other trails. I stopped after 2:15 hours at the point that seemed to be the crest of the Pasture area and returned to Foy Lake, going down in 1:15 hours, for a total hike of 3:30 hours.