Mark's Hikes and Treks: The Pfeifferhorn (Red Pine Lakes Extension)

The Pfeifferhorn is a pyramid-shaped peak that sits along the Salt Lake-Utah County line southwest of Lower Red Pine Lake in the Lone Peak Wilderness. It is visible from the Salt Lake Valley, but more strikingly from Utah Valley to the south. Looking similar to a scaled-down version of the Matterhorn in Switzerland, it was known as the "Little Matterhorn" for many years and listed as such on the maps. Recently this peak was officially renamed "The Pfeifferhorn" in honor of Charles "Chick" Pfeiffer who was a pioneer in Wasatch Mountain skiing. As rugged and steep as this mountain may appear from below, a surprisingly high number of people reach the summit along a route that's not as difficult as it would seem.

To access the Pfeifferhorn from Lower Red Pine Lake, follow the trail around the east shore to a large boulder area near the east-side stream. At this point a less-obvious route climbs approximately 400 feet past sporadic pine tree clusters to the north shore of Upper Red Pine Lake. From here the summit of White Baldy can be reached by traversing its north ridgeline to the left (east) of the upper lake. This is a Class 3 scrambling route with moderate exposure along the ridge. Meanwhile, the route to the Pfeifferhorn continues in the opposite direction up a gentle slope past two small ponds. Stay generally near the hump in the slope that steepens quickly beyond the ponds to the ridgeline above. Closer to the ridgeline the hike turns into a scramble, yet the igneous quality of rock in this area provides a good grip – making it easy to climb over. It is also nice to look around occasionally and take in the view of the scenery behind you. Once on top of the ridgeline the going gets easier for awhile and the Pfeifferhorn becomes readily visible in the west with an obvious trail leading to it. A final obstacle comes just before reaching the steep ascending portion of the peak. Here the ridge becomes narrower and more exposed for several hundred feet with huge boulders blocking the way. As intimidating as this may appear, passage is possible through careful maneuvering – generally along the right (north) side of the ridge. Beyond this point it is a 500-foot elevation scramble up the steep slope to reach the 11,326-foot summit of the Pfeifferhorn. Distance from Lower Red Pine Lake to the summit of the Pfeifferhorn is approximately 1.6 miles (4.8 miles from the trailhead) one-way with an elevation gain of about 1,700 feet from the lake (3,720 feet from the trailhead).