Mexican hat closed/private

I went to climb Mexican hat last week and when we arrived there were many private property and no trespassing signs around the tower. The parking lot was also plowed in. I did some research and found that they are closing the area to public access. Just a heads up for anyone trying to go climb it soon.

Oh no, bummer. It looks like the Hat is on BLM land but the obvious and easiest approaches are not BLM. I wonder how it is hiking in from the north from the highway, staying on BLM land?  

We looked down that road that goes around and it seemed like you could hike in from the north but it would be a slightly more involved to access. I wasn't sure if the tower was on private property too so we opted to not climb it. Hopefully I can get back to it sometime! 

Some information from one of the property owners: Mexican Hat Rocks

BS & FU

I do remember that the 4th class approach was from the north and east aspects of the formation. That area is still open. You have to drive around the North side, just keep going straight on the entrance road until you clear a cattle guard, then you're back on BLM land.

Sounds like this was some sort of hostile take-over of this land by the state of Utah and/or San Juan County. I don't fully understand what's going on. I've had a bad feeling since they started making "improvements" to that property. I will relay anything more I find out . . .

Anybody know what access is like from the river? Planning a San Juan river trip in a few weeks and wondering if it's worthwhile to bring a little climbing gear.

There are dirt roads that make it down to the river around the hat - i'm sure you could piece something together.  I wouldn't be very enthusiastic about doing that in the late June heat though.

Yesterday...