Naomi Peak

Logan Canyon east of Logan, Utah is one of the prettiest canyons to drive through – particularly during the autumn season when the leaves are changing color.  It not only provides the main access route to Bear Lake, but contains many recreational opportunities in and of itself.  A popular spot for camping, fishing, and hiking is Tony Grove Lake, which is also the main access point for Naomi Peak.  Naomi Peak is the highest point in the Bear River Range as well as the top of Utah (the area of Utah north of the 41st parallel of latitude).  The area north of Tony Grove Lake has been officially designated as a wildflower viewing area by the Forest Service.  Here you can walk among colorful displays of mountain wildflowers that reach their peak during the mid to late summer months.  When I last visited this area there was a $3.00 charge per vehicle for day use at Tony Grove Lake.

To reach the Naomi Peak trailhead from Main Street in Logan, turn east onto 400 North (U.S. 89) and drive approximately 21.7 miles up Logan Canyon to the Tony Grove Lake turnoff.  Turn left (west) and then left again (south) to access the Tony Grove Road.  Continue driving along the road that makes several switchbacks up the mountainside to reach the parking area at about 6.8 miles from the main highway.  The trail begins at the northwest edge of the parking loop approximately 900 feet beyond the turnoff to the campground.

Tony Grove Lake not far from the
trailhead – Photo credit: Keviin PC

Quartzite rock terraces near the trail with
Tony Grove Lake in the background

Beginning at the trailhead, take the right (east) trail that leads toward Naomi Peak and White Pine Lake.  This trail forks again after about a quarter-mile where a sign directs you to the left (west) trail for Naomi Peak.  Within the next half-mile the west trail curves westward and becomes steeper past some quartzite rock terraces.  Here you begin to gain a broader view of the surrounding landscape and absorb the beauty of it all.  At close to 2.0 miles from the trailhead, an optional climb to Mount Magog can be taken by leaving the main trail towards the pointed summit to the north-northeast that is surrounded by cliffs.  This is mainly a Class 2 off-trail climbing route as long as you stay along the southwest ridge.  Meanwhile, the main trail continues westward for about one mile to the ridgeline just below Naomi Peak, which forms part of the east boundary of the Mount Naomi Wilderness Area.  From here it's an approximate 0.2-mile climb southward to reach the 9,979-foot summit.  Spectacular views of Cache Valley to the west and Idaho to the north can be seen from this vantage point.  Distance from the trailhead to the summit of Naomi Peak is approximately 3.2 miles one-way with an elevation gain of about 2,000 feet (taking into account a 90-foot loss).

The final climbing route to the
summit of Naomi Peak

A brass-cap monument at the
summit of Naomi Peak