Overview: A great less crowded but strenuous day hike or overnighter to the highest point in the Stansbury Mountains. This hike gives you outstanding views of The Great Salt Lake, Skull Valley, and both the Oquirrh and Wasatch Mountains. On a clear day you can even see Mt. Nebo to the South

• Trail Head: Take I-80 West from Salt Lake for about 20 miles. Take exit 99 (HWY 36) towards Tooele. After about 4 miles turn right (West) on HWY 138. Continue 10 miles to Grantsville. In the town center (West Street), find the Forest Service sign on the right side of the street stating "South Willow Canyon". Turn left and drive about 5 miles to the South Willow Canyon fork. Take the right fork and go past the campgrounds to the trailhead (about 7 miles).
  
  • Coordinates: 40°28'58.26"N 112°36'25.55"W
    
    
• Distance: 8 Mile Loop
  
• Difficulty: 4
  
• Hike Time: 7-8 Hours
  
• Trail Condition: Well maintained until ridge, rocky and steep to summit
  
• Season: Summer to early Autumn
  

  
  

Detailed Description: The Deseret Peak loop starts with a 3600 foot ascent through a lush stand of aspen trees with runoff fed streams that last through the beginning of summer. After about half a mile the trail will fork. When you come to the Mill Fork Trail fork, take the left trail (you will come back via the Dry Fork Trail on the right). As you follow the fork you will climb to an elevation of 9500 feet in about 1 ½ miles. While hiking, you will pass some beautiful mountain meadows but will also cross some rockslides from the occasional winter avalanches. As the trail wanders up you will cross over a northwest facing cirque and start to see the Great Salt Lake to the north. On top of the ridge you will continue north and climb the last 1,000 feet over ½ mile to reach the summit.

On a clear day at the summit you will see The Great Salt Lake, Stansbury Island, and the Salt Flats to the North. To the East you will see the Tooele Valley, and the Oquirrh and Wasatch Ranges. To the West you will see Skull Valley and even Pilot Peak in Nevada. To the South you will see Mt. Nebo in the distance.

After you have spent time at the summit, follow the trail down to the North which will turn west after about half a mile which overlooks South Lost Creek and Big Creek Canyons. The trail is not as used and can easily be lost at this point, especially in the early season where there is still standing snow. After a little over 1 ½ miles from the top, the trail drops down over the ridge into Pockets Fork. From here, head down the upper bowl and then follow the streambed to the east. After another half mile you will intersect the Willow Lakes Trail near a stand of aspen trees and then on through a meadow with a stream that has water most of the year. You will see the same fork you passed on the way up after another 1 ½ miles. Follow the trail another ¾ mile to the trailhead.

Additional information: Though this is considered a Desert Mountain range, this peak gets quite a lot of snow during the winter. After getting information that there was no snow on this trail from the Forest Service, one family with small kids encountered waist deep snow and nearly froze trying to get back down.

Maps:

©Google Earth

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