Overview:
Dry Mountain is located in the south Wasatch Range with the city of Santaquin at its base. This is one of the two mountains directly north of Mt. Nebo, with Bald Mountain being the other . What the trail lacks in mileage, it makes up in steepness, so it can be done quickly as long as you're in good shape and used to steep climbs. The trail is generally easy to follow, and in good condition until you reach the saddle, when the trail disappears, and the bushwhacking begins. There are no restrooms or water access from this trail.

GPS: 39°55'26.33"N 111°43'15.59"W
Distance: 2 miles
Difficulty: 4
Hike Time: 3-5 hours
Trail Condition: Rough, rocky dirt until saddle - no trail after saddle.
Season: Early Spring to late Fall.

Trailhead:

• From I-15, take exit 244 for US-6 West, and take a left under the freeway


• Take the very next right at Highland Drive


• After 1.1 miles, take a left at Canyon Rd


• Follow this road for 7.7 miles, past Tinney Flat Campground, and around a few hairpin turns to Santaquin Meadows


• At Santaquin Meadows, take a left onto what appears to be an ATV road, and this will take you to the trailhead

Detailed Description:
This hike can be best described in two sections. The first part of the trail takes you from the area near Santaquin Meadows up to the saddle of Dry Mountain, and the second part of the trail takes you from the saddle, along the ridge, to the peak.

Section 1 - Initially, the trail is comprised of fairly loose rock and gravel, and it appears as though erosion has created a crevasse along the center. There are a few large rocks and trees to hop over as the trail leads through a coniferous/aspen forest. Shortly after the trailhead, you'll come to a fork in the trail, and you'll want to take the left branch, the route that looks like it heads towards Dry Mountain. From there, goes through sections of extreme steepness, and relatively flat sections through alpine meadows. You may also notice traces of cattle, from cow pies to the occasional cow smell. After two such meadows, the trail switches back twice in its ascent to the saddle, and gains in steepness. Once you reach the saddle, head off to your right up the ridge, rather than walking straight into the saddle as the trail may suggest. This is where the official trail ends.

Section 2 - When looking up the ridge to your right, you'll see the first false summit, which is by far the steepest part of the trail. From this point, just do your best to head towards the first summit, always keeping it in view. If you always head towards the highest point you can see, and never lose sight of it, you really can't go wrong. After passing through a large field of scrub oak and other vegetation, and a few small groves of burned coniferous trees, you'll have to scramble over some loose rock to finally reach the first false summit. From this false summit onwards, the ridge becomes far less steep, and a little more interesting. Just follow the ridge, staying as close as you can to the top, and eventually you'll reach the summit. From the summit, the views of Utah Valley are amazing, as are the views of West Mountain to your west, Loafer Mountain and the rest of the Wasatch Range to the north, and Bald Mountain obscuring all but the peak of Mt. Nebo to the south.

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