Hiking - Deseret Peak, Grantsville 8/10/24

The best high altitude training peak along the Wasatch Front. Great training peak for Mt Timp.

Sample Itinerary:

Trailhead - 7:15 am

Hike - 7:30 am - 3 pm

Rope Swing - 3:15 - 3:45 pm

Directions: Deseret Peak Trailhead, Deseret Peak Wilderness

Activity: Hike Deseret Peak Wilderness Loop - 8.6 mile total loop trail. Great training for Mt Timpanogos. High altitude. Start at top of Loop Campground. After about 15-20 min, trail crosses a river. Trail heads sharp left on the opposite side of river and then forks. Take right fork. The trail heads up through pine forests and meadows to the lower ridge. Turn right up ridgeline to summit. We did the Deseret Peak Wilderness Loop at the top. This adds another 1.5 miles to the original out and back of 7.1 miles. All Trails Trip Report

Tips:

• Trim toenails, pack sunscreen/ibuprofen/moleskin

• Blister care. We have led this 6 times and every time at the peak a few people in group have blisters. Ask about it at the saddle and put bandaids/duct tape/blister care on it there.

• Wildflowers were amazing both times we went in late July and early Aug. Love the loop. All trails says it is 0.5 longer. We clocked it as .8 longer but no regrets. We all loved seeing all sides of the mountain with changing views. Saw deer, red tail hawk, grouse, turkey vulture.

• Glissading - usually a moderate patch of snow above the first ridgeline and generally you can hike around it, but it's fun to slide if you are careful and have a mountaineering axe.

• Rope Swing - great post-hike activity (located at the Upper Narrows Campground #1 on the right side)

• Hydrate a few days prior. 

• Steep parts we switched trail leaders and took a 1 min break every 10 min. 

• Super steep parts, 1 min break every 3 min. 

• 3 L & an extra 8 oz water bottle was sufficient for all in the group. We did the Wilderness Loop route which clocks between 8.8 -9.1 miles. We did leave early and went clockwise to maximize shade on the the uphill.

Gear: Hiking pants or shorts, synthetic T-shirt, long sleeve synthetic top, light waterproof jacket, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, camelback or regular back pack with waist belt, 3-4 Liters water, 6-10 snacks, first aid kit, hiking boots/running shoes, trekking poles (optional), microspikes if in June or any chance of snow near the summit.