Lone Peak is one of the most challenging hikes of the 18 Wasatch Eleveners and the only Wasatch Elevener that requires class 4 scrambling. The trailhead we chose makes a 16 miles round trip that we split into a two day backpacking trip. Though I'm in the best shape in my life this was the most demanding hike I have ever taken. In retrospect it could have been much worse. We had reasonable weather the first day and very cool weather on the second day. The hike down was a bit wet with a few light rain showers but a 90 degree day would have been MUCH worse.
I planned the trip and hiked with David N from the Wasatch Eleveners Facebook group. We also met a couple, Eric and Heather, who were great companions who shared the Outlaw Cabin meadow and many hours of the hiking with us. Eric and I shared trail information and I think we all benefited from the cooperation.
Our simple plan for hiking Lone Peak via the Cherry Canyon Logging Trail:
- Hike 4.3 miles to the spring
- Load up on water
- Hike the remaining 1.3 miles to the Outlaw Cabin
- Spend the night
- Hike to the peak
- Return to camp
- Pack up
- Hike back to the trailhead
Our assault on the peak began about 8:30am and we reached the peak in about 2.5 hours. After enjoying the view at the summit, it took about an hour and a half to return to the campsite. The long descent to the trailhead took about 3 hours.
There was a lot of wildlife on the mountain. A pair of deer slept about 30 feet from me and the chipmunks were hard at work moving pine cones to some hidden storage location. I heard mountain goats but never sighted them. The scenery was very nice with lots of interesting white granite rock formation for most of the trip. I had wanted to take a side hike to Enniss Peak but didn't feel up to it after the long hike up with a heavy backpack.
GPS Tracks: kml gpx
Google Maps: Terrain
Photos: flickr
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