| "West Clover" via Clover BM and NE ridge Route |
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| "West Clover" via Clover BM and NE ridge   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Utah, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 40.76500°N / 110.135°W Route Type: Scramble Time Required: Most of a day Difficulty: Class 2+
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| Page By: Scott Created/Edited: Jan 18, 2005 / Mar 7, 2006 Object ID: 163612 Hits: 997 Loading... Page Score: 86.1% - 1 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
ApproachThere are several driving routes to the trailhead, but this is the quickest. A good road map is needed. From Roosevelt, take State Highway 121 north. This is where the elbow in Highway 40 is, right downtown, so the turnoff is easy to locate. Stay on Highway 121 north, follow it as is makes a sharp turn at Neola and heads due east. The highway will reach a "T" and turn south. At the "T", turn left (north) to the town of Whiterocks. From Whiterocks, drive northwest along the paved road. Not long after passing the fish hatchery, will be another junction. Go straight (not left). The road heads north, then east, then north again. At the next intersection, go straight and to the Elkhorn Guard Station. Continue straight on the Elkhorn Loop Road, up Pole Mountain, and to Forest Road 110 before heading to Pole Creek Lake. Don't take the Elkhorn Loop to Pole Creek Lake, but turn right onto Forest Road 110. If you reach Pole Creek Lake, you overshot the turnoff. Follow Forest Road 110 north for about four miles to the signed (for West Fork Whiterocks Trailhead) turnoff to the left. Turn left to the trailhead. Most of the Elkhorn Loop as well as Forest Road 110 is gravel, but usually in good condition for cars, provided you drive slowly.
There is actually a rough logging road(s) that will bring you closer to the mountain. They aren't on the map, so if you wish to drive them, you will have to search for the beginning of them on your own. Also note, that this information is from the summer of 1992, and the status of these roads may have changed.
Route DescriptionFrom the trailhead, backtrack along the road for a short distance to avoid a stream crossing. From here, head due east with a compass. The route is a bit tedious because of fallen logs and such, but there are no real difficulties. You will cross one or more rough logging roads a long the way. If you can find the beginning of the roads, this would likely be an easier alternative than the route described. Continue east to the NE ridge of Clover benchmark. Climb the ridge. There are some very steep slopes to skirt at first, but once on the ridge it gets easier. There is a bit of scrambling/boulder-hopping. Continue up the ridge to the very broad and flat summit of Clover benchmark, marked with a cairn. From Clover benchmark follow the broad ridge west over a minor summit and to the summit of "West Clover". There are some nice views, especially to the north. The total round-trip distance is seven miles, but since there isn't a trail, the route can take most of a day.
Note: Apparently a blowdown storm has effected the routes through the forest to timberline on West Clover (according to the other summit log). It wasn't there in 1992 or in August 1995, but on Flat Top Benchmark (south of Emmons) we found one in August 1997 that caused route problems. It was probably the same storm, and it must have happened sometime between those dates. If you have updated route info, please post.
Essential GearA good pair of boots is needed.
Miscellaneous InfoIf you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.
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High Uintas Wilderness
