Lone Peak is one of the more difficult hikes along the Wasatch Front, mainly due to the elevation gain required to reach the summit. Though not the highest point that overlooks the Salt Lake and Utah Valleys, it is perhaps the most noticeable with its beautiful cirque and sheer granite cliffs. It is part of the Lone Peak Wilderness Area, which was the first congressionally designated wilderness area in Utah. Along with hikers, Lone Peak often attracts rock climbers that demonstrate their skills in reaching the summit. Like the Broads Fork Twins, those attempting to climb Lone Peak should be in top physical condition and plan for a long day. Be sure to take plenty of liquids with you as there is little to no sources of water along the entire route. I would recommend a bare-minimum of one gallon per person for this hike – preferably more. The weather is another important element to consider before undertaking the hike. Since Lone Peak is isolated from most of the other high Wasatch peaks, it is more susceptible to sudden storms and lightning strikes. If thunderstorms are in the forecast, it would be wise to postpone this hike for a different day. With all that said, this hike will greatly reward those that take the necessary precautions and have the stamina to endure it to the end.
For now the Jacobs Ladder Trailhead provides the least amount of elevation gain to reach the summit of Lone Peak. From Lone Rock this trail ascends steeply (approximately 2,200 feet of gain in 1.5 miles) past a resting rock to a junction with the Draper Ridge Trail. Watch your footing while navigating the steep portions of the route to avoid slipping and falling. Beyond the junction the trail levels out to provide temporary, but welcomed relief from climbing. At the top of the knoll above the junction is the recently named Enniss Peak – named in honor of the Enniss family who were pioneers that settled in Draper. Though not particularly visible, a route to the Outlaw Cabin forks to the left (north) of the main trail about 0.6 miles past the Draper Ridge Trail junction. From here the cabin is just over a half-mile with a small spring beyond along the Bear Canyon Trail. Make your way towards the long saddle on the ridge to the north, following any obvious paths that lead to it.
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View of Lone Peak from the
southwest edge of the cirque |
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View of Question Mark Wall that
extends southwest from Lone Peak |
Continuing east along the main trail, the route becomes less distinct the further you get, and you end up looking for cairns to mark the path. This is pretty much the case for the remainder of the hike to the summit. At approximately 1.7 miles beyond the Draper Ridge Trail junction, the route becomes a boulder scramble to reach the cirque below Lone Peak. Upon reaching the cirque the close-up grandeur of Lone Peak is unveiled before your eyes with its granite walls and sporadic pines clinging to the ledges. Examining the peak closely, there are actually two summits that are separated by a perilous ridge – the north summit being higher than the south summit by about 20 feet. To reach the north summit, make your way towards the saddle on the ridge north and west of Lone Peak. Following the cairns along the route will generally lead you there. Once on the ridge, continue following the obvious paths that lead to the summit. In the last several hundred feet of the hike, it becomes a tricky boulder scramble with exposure, so use extreme caution. At the summit itself, there is a 600-foot drop-off towards the south, so be careful there as well. Distance from Lone Rock to the 11,253-foot summit of Lone Peak is approximately 4.0 miles (6.0 miles from the Jacobs Ladder parking lot) one-way with an elevation gain of 4,330 feet (5,530 feet from the parking lot). It is worth mentioning that I climbed to the south summit of Lone Peak from the Second Hamongog a number of years earlier with my hiking partner, Joe.
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Hiking along the final ridge towards
the north summit of Lone Peak |
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View looking southeast over the south
summit towards Mount Timpanogos |
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