So you want to bag a big peak, but the crowds in Big and Little Cottonwood are just too much. Or perhaps you want to get above 11,000′ but aren’t quite ready for the Class 3-4 scrambles that many Utah mountains require. What if I told you that there was a gorgeous summit just 50 miles west of Salt Lake City where there are no crowds, and no need to bring a rope? The place is Deseret Peak, and the drive to the Stansbury Mountains will pay off in spades.
To get to the trailhead, head out on I-80 West and exit at Tooele. From here, take UT 36 south to UT 138 (this will get you to Grantsville). Once you are on main street, follow the Forest Service signs to North and South Willow Canyons. South Willow Canyon is home to six developed campgrounds. The road is paved for the first 4 miles, then becomes a graded dirt road suitable for most vehicles in dry conditions. Take the road all the way to Loop Campground and park near the trailhead. There are bathrooms conveniently located in the parking area. Swing on your pack and head out; you might want to stretch your legs because they will soon be feeling the burn.
The trail begins in a heavily wooded area near a stream. Soon after setting out, you cross the stream. On the other side, look for the sign showing you the way to Deseret Peak. You will continue through the dense wilderness before arriving at a meadow. The meadow is the tail end of the glacial cirque below the peak, and is the beginning of the real workout. Your route heads straight up the cirque through a series of steep switchbacks. Occasional shady spots allow for much needed water breaks out of the sun. The canyon walls to the north provide great views for the slog up. Keep on trucking and you will eventually top out on a ridge below the peak. The views are great here, but they will get even better at the top. Just 1,000′ vert to go!
The trail continues up the ridge and though steep, is not tough to follow. You pass some false summits on the way to the top, but take a closer look at these: the bold amongst you can get right up to the edge of the ridge for an exhilarating view down into the cirque you just climbed. A few more switchbacks and you are there- the summit stands at 11,031′.
The view from the top of Deseret is incredible. 360 degree vistas allow you to see an abundance of major landmarks. To the north and east you can spot Antelope Island and the big peaks of the Wasatch range, all the way down to Mount Nebo. To the west you can see the monstrous salt flats, and all the way to Pilot Peak in Nevada. From the desert floor below, the summit rises 5,811′, making Deseret one of the ultra-prominence peaks of America, a fact that might mean very little to you. The real reason to get to the top is the scenery. Take it all in before deciding which way to return to the car.
You can head back down the way you came, but what fun is that? To really experience the rugged beauty of the Stansbury Mountain range, opt for the loop hike of Deseret Peak. From the summit, follow the obvious trail to the north. The Stansbury Crest Trail offers more breathtaking views of the glacial cirques and peaks of the area. Personally, I thought the views from this portion of the hike made the entire trip. Follow the Stansbury Crest Trail until you get to the Pockets Fork Trail. From here, take a right and head down through the cirque to get home. The entire round trip takes between 5-7 hours, and covers a total of 8.5 miles. You will be climbing just under 4,000′ so make sure you have plenty of water for your journey.
Author’s note: I am always impressed by the beauty I encounter on every Utah trail I hike, but the Deseret Peak hike is truly special. I had no inkling of how gorgeous this area was before I made the trip. The woods were dense; more dense than many in the Uintas or Wasatch, and the peaks were every bit as rugged as those that border SLC. My friend and I saw only two other hikers in the entire area the day we hiked, and this low volume of people went a long way in making this one of the most memorable and picturesque hikes I’ve taken yet. In short, put this one on your “must do” list!
I did this hike based on your review and loved it, however this year I would like to try and catch the wildflowers up there. What time of year do you think would be best. Early July? Mid July?
It depends on the snowpack and how soon it melts. Generally July is your best bet.