Rose Peak is a gentle rounded summit located just south east of Chepeta Lake, in the eastern Uinta Mountains. It also is connected to the ridge system leading north east to the higher summit of Eccentric Peak, a Utah County Highpoint. Rose Peak could be an easy two or three hour trip up from Chepeta Lake if done on it's own, and can be included in a hike to Eccentric Peak and reached on the return. Rose Peak has a rough prominence of 235 feet.

Views from the summit of Rose Peak give a great perspective of the surrounding higher summits in the region, as it sits almost centrally in the upper Whiterocks River drainage area.

Rose Peak, seen from the side of Eccentric Peak.

View from the summit of Rose Peak, looking east at Eccentric Peak.

From the ridge near Eccentric Peak looking at Rose Peak on the left, Chepeta Lake on the right.

Getting There

The main access road is used to reach the Chepeta Lake area. This road begins in Whiterocks, a small community north of Roosevelt, Utah. The road is mainly dirt, and travels approximately 32 miles from Whiterocks to Chepeta Lake. The road can be somewhat bumpy, however most passenger cars should be able to pass over it during dry periods. A 4wd vehicle is recommended during wet periods, as the road can become muddy but passable due to the rock content in the road. Winter access to the area would have to be done by snowmobile or a long trek in on ski's.

I used these instructions by SP member Scott, from the Eccentric Peak page, and found them to be accurate and involving less dirt road than other approaches.

All distances are running mileposts, and are in reference to the intersection of US40 (200N) and State Route 121; this is the point where US40 makes 90 degree turn with a traffic light.

M.P. 0.0 - head east on US40
M.P. 5.0 - Turn left onto 5750 east, West Jr. High (school on left, S.W. corner of intersection)
M.P. 12.9 - Straight through intersection, 121 turns right
M.P. 15.0 - Straight through intersection, 121 turns left
M.P. 17.6 - continue through town, This is the Town of Whiterocks
M.P. 20.8 - continue straight, left turn goes to Uinta
M.P. 24.1 - Turn left, straight takes you to the ranger station
M.P. 25.1 - continue straight, left turn goes to Elkhorn
M.P. 33.4 - continue straight, left turn goes to Dark Canyon
M.P. 38.9 - Turn right onto FR 110, Towards Chepeta Lake - left goes to Pole Creek CG
M.P. 42.9 - Turn right on hairpin, left goes to West Fork TH
M.P. 49.6 - Stay Straight, Chepeta TH on the left.
M.P. 51.1 - Trailhead at Chepeta Lake.

Route information

The primary access to the peak is from the Chepeta Lake Trailhead, though cross country routes exist. The east and west faces of the peak are steep talus fields, though the majority of the talus is larger in composition and can make a great boulder hop if wanting something other than the north ridge access.

Class 1 and 2.
Time needed: 1.5 to 3 hours.
Elevation gain: 900 feet.
Round trip mileage: 3.1 miles.

At the Chepeta Lake trailhead, a trail is located in the north east corner of the parking lot which leads to Moccasin Lake. Follow this trail approximately .25 of a mile, then cut off through the trees to the east. Within 300 yards you will be at the south end of the lake. Continue around the lake to the steep talus field on the lakes east side. Climb the talus field, reaching a gentle alpine area with mixed tundra and Spruce trees. Head south east through the trees, which are grouped together intermittently, to the ridge line where a saddle is located at roughly 11,200 feet. From here the summit of Rose Peak is seen to the south west. Continue up the ridge for half a mile to the summit on talus. A small cairn marks the top.

Rose Peak Topo and route.

Cairn on the summit.

GPS info. Actual altitude is 11,450 feet.

Red Tape

No fees or permits are required to use this area.

Camping

Pole Creek Campground is located along the road to Chepeta Lake near the Y intersection. This campground requires a fee and has restroom and water facilities. While up there I found several back country campsites located around the lakes which would be appealing if you want solitude.

Geology

One thing this peak and the surrounding summits have is incredibly old red pre-cambrian rock. The summit domes almost seem Martian with the red talus everywhere, an other worldy look. The rock is primarily quartzite, mixed with some shale. Due to the rounded eroded nature of the peaks in the area it suggests that this portion of the Uinta Mountains is very old, with the rock strata as old as 2.3 billion years. The red quartzite contains very small fragments of quartz which when seen in sunlight reflect the sun. Lime green colored lichen cover a lot of these rocks giving a considerable amount of contrast.

Utah Geologic Relief Map.

Mountain Weather

This area is especially affected by thunder storms which can move in quick during the summer season, expect possible lightning during the afternoon hours. The Uinta Mountains recieve a considerable amount of precipitation so be prepared for any inclement weather beforehand.

The current weather for the area can be seen here.

Contact the Roosevelt Ranger District for more current information on road conditions and weather.

Ashely National Forest
Roosevelt Ranger District
244 W. Highway 40
Roosevelt, UT 84066

1-435-722-5018

Images