Deseret Peak is the highest summit in the Stansbury Mountains. It is an alpine mountain in a desert oasis. These mountains are almost the only Great Basin Range in Utah with a good system of hiking trails. It is clearly visible for many miles around, particularly from across the Great Salt Lake to the north and the desert valleys to the west. It has impressive cliffs that drop precipitously down toward South Willow Canyon. While the Wasatch Range is crowded with hikers on the weekends, you can expect more solitude here.

The semi-arid Deseret Peak Wilderness is full of rugged terrain and high peaks. The most popular uses include hiking, camping, and hunting. The area is the source of irrigation water for nearby communities and farms. Much of the higher elevation is alpine with open basins and exposed rocky ridges. Vegetation includes dense mountain brush mixed with sagebrush and grass. Various firs, juniper, and aspen are common. Snow can remain into early summer.

The Deseret Peak Wilderness is located in northwestern Utah, west of the cities of Tooele and Grantsville. The Wilderness was established by Congress in 1984 with passage of the Utah Wilderness Act. It is entirely located within the Stansbury Range on the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The Deseret Peak Wilderness consists of approximately 25,500 acres and is generally bounded on the north by the Pass Canyon drainage, on the south by Vickory Mountain, on the west by Skull Valley and on the east by the Mack Canyon-Big Hollow Trail. The highpoint of the Northern Stansbury Mountains is Onaqui BM. This shouldn't be confused with the Onaqui Mountains which form the southern section of the Stansbury Mountains. The highpoint in that area is Stookey Peak.

Deseret Peak is the highpoint of Tooele County. The name of the county is often mispronounced. People that live in the area pronounce it as "Two-ella" or "Tu-will-uh". Although, people visiting the area for the first time will probably call it "Tool-lee". Another interesting fact is that Deseret Peak is one of the 57 mountains in the lower 48 that have 5,000 feet of prominence. These peaks are often called an �Ultra� by those pursuing such lists. Deseret Peak has the 4th highest prominence in Utah. It stands high above the surrounding terrain. Here is more information on Utah prominence peaks.

Getting There

Deseret Peak and the Stansbury Mountains

Stansbury Mountains

From Salt Lake City, take I-80 west about 20 miles. Turn off at exit 99 and head south on SR138/Hwy 36 for 3 miles. Turn right on SR 138 and drive 11 miles to the town of Grantsville. Turn left onto South Cooley Street and follow it south as it becomes Mormon Trail Road.

After driving 5 miles south of Grantsville, watch for a sign for South Willow Canyon and turn right onto this local road and follow it for 7 miles to where it ends at a campground and the trailhead. This road becomes gravel at the National Forest boundary and winds through some very interesting narrows, but any vehicle should be able to make it.

Route Information

There are two routes that people use to reach the summit. The normal route is up South Willow Creek. A lot of people return down the same way. The best way to experience the whole mountain is to do a loop hike and descend down the Pockets Fork-Dry Lake Fork trail. This option is only slightly longer in distance.

Deseret Peak trail

South Willow Creek

The trail climbs through a forest of aspen for about three-fourths of a mile before crossing a year-round stream. Then it, shortly thereafter, reaches a fork. The right fork leads to Willow Lakes. The left fork heads south towards the peak. This is the route you will want to take. In the next mile and a half, the trail climbs up Mill Fork for almost 2,000 feet, crossing several meadows with the sheer 1,500 foot southwest face of Deseret Peak appearing above. Climbing the cirque at the head of the canyon the trail has been ascending, you reach a saddle. You'll be near treeline and snow drifts may still be here in early summer.

The ridgeline goes up switchbacks on the final ascent to the summit. There are spectacular views of surrounding salt flats and nearby mountains. You should be able to see the Wasatch Mountains in the distance. You can take the same route back down or descend the Pockets Fork trail. To complete the loop, hike north of Deseret Peak for about two miles to where the trail forks. Take the south fork back instead of the one to Willow Lakes. The route is 8 miles round trip with 3,600 feet elevation gain.

Deseret Peak View North

Pockets Fork - Dry Lake Fork

This is often used as a descent route for Deseret Peak. It goes down the north ridge of the peak and then heads east. It is a fairly easy hike for a mile or so and then begins a steep descent down an old glacial headwall. The route then continues north along the ridge for 2 miles. This part of the hike is longer than its looks from a distance. You will pass two saddles that give you excellent views into Dry Lake Basin and the North Face of Deseret Peak.

It is tempting to use some of these saddles to descend into the basin but they are steep and full of loose talus. This is a wilderness area and staying on the trail is advised. Keep following the trail until you get to the third saddle along the ridge. Then the trail heads east, crosses through a pass, and descends for 0.5 mile when you will reach another trail junction. Turn right and this route will take you back to the trailhead. The loop hike up South Willow Creek and down Pockets Fork is 8.4 miles round trip.

Red Tape

Deseret Peak seen from Cedar Mountains

Needle Point of North Chute

Deseret Peak is located in Wasatch-Cache National Forest

There are no fees for climbing Deseret Peak.

All Wilderness Area rules should be observed. Be sure to park in the free trailhead parking and not in the campground turnouts. There is a fee for staying at the campgrounds.

This area has been successfully restored to pristine wilderness from former mining days, so it isn't a good idea to cut switchbacks or engage in any other activity that would encourage erosion. There are plenty of mule deer and other wildlife in the area so try to exercise caution during hunting season in the late fall. There will be hunters in many areas of the range.

Weather

Snowshoeing the Upper Narrows in April

Twin Chutes Saddle

The summer months are the normal time to climb these mountains. Even though it is located in a desert region, this is still an alpine mountain range. In summer temperatures can range from near 90 degrees in the daytime to below 40 degrees at night. Occasional summer thundershowers can be expected. In winter, temperatures will be around 30-40 degrees but may be much colder in the mountains. Be prepared for changing weather conditions in the higher elevations.

Here is the weather forecast for the city of Tooele and one from the NWS website.

This is a forecast for the city of Grantsville.

When To Climb

South Chutes

North Chute

Deseret Peak is usually climbed between Memorial Day and late October. Typical summer months apply but experienced climbers can climb year round. Vehicle access on the gravel road is not allowed during the winter months, but the area could be accessed on skis or snowshoes, adding quite a few miles to the total climb.

Winter Climbing

The road is plowed up until the end of the paved road near the forest boundary. This is where you will have to park during winter. The road to the Loop Campground is popular with snowmobiles and skiers and is packed down pretty well. Most people will not need skis or snowshoes until they reach the normal trailhead.

During light snow years it is possible to start near the normal trailhead. The winter route generally follows the same route up South Willow Creek as in summer. This drainage is steep in many parts. It becomes easier walking along the ridgeline and the snow should be hard-crusted toward the summit. Be careful during high avalanche conditions. More interesting routes include the twin south chutes and north chute.

Camping

Deseret Peak and the Stansbury Mountains

Deseret Peak from Vickory Mountain false summit

This area has many campgrounds. There are six campgrounds in South Willow Canyon. They have picnic tables, fire pits, and restrooms. They are open between late-May and mid-October. All of them are on a first come, first serve basis, except for Upper Narrows Campground where you can reserve a group campsite.

Camping is available at the trailhead near the Loop Campground. Individual campsites are $5.00 a night.

Information on campgrounds can be found at this website

Deseret Peak seen from below the summit ridge

Deseret Peak & Skull Valley

South Willow Creek Camgpgrounds:

Cottonwood Canyon Campground � Located 1 miles up from the forest boundary. There are 2 campsites available. It is at an elevation of 6,080 feet.

Intake Campground � Located 1.5 miles from the forest boundary. There are 4 campsites available. It is at an elevation of 6,320 feet.

Deseret Peak in spring

Boy Scout Campground � Located 1.7 miles from the forest boundary. There are 5 campsites available. It sits at 6,320 feet elevation.

Summit View

Lower Narrows Campground � Located 2.2 miles from the forest boundary. There are 5 sites available. The campground is at 6,840 feet elevation.

Upper Narrows Campground - Located 3 miles from the forest boundary. There are 8 campsites available. Its sits is at 6,920 feet elevation.

Loop Campground � This is where the trailhead to Deseret Peak begins. There are nine campsites available. It�s located 4.5 miles from the forest boundary.

Backcountry Camping Regulations:

Group size limit of 10 or less people
No mechanized vehicle use (including mountain bikes)
Camp at least 200 feet away from any road, trail, or lake

History

Deseret Peak Map

The State of Deseret: The word Deseret is often used to mean the state of Utah. When the Mormons first came to this new territory, they named the area The State of Deseret, a reference to the honey bee in The Book of Mormon. The Mormons regard the honey bee as a symbol of industriousness. The beehive was adopted, in 1847, as an official emblem and represents the qualities of industry, perseverance, thrift, stability, and self-reliance, all virtues respected by the region's settlers. The beehive is the centerpiece of the Utah Great Seal and the Utah State Flag.

The Stansbury Range was named after Captain Howard Stansbury. He was an early surveyor to the area. In fact, Stansbury Island was also named after him. The island has a dirt road connecting it to the mainland. He was sent to survey the Great Salt Lake area in 1850. Tooele is the county's largest city, and took its name from the valley, which Captain Howard Stansbury spelled "tuilla" on his surveying maps in 1849-50.

Onaqui vs. Deseret: Information provided by MOCKBA -- On the early maps, this range was named Onaqui Mountain. The first transcontinental survey placed a survey mark designated Onaqui on a prominent high point in this ridge, about 10 miles North of here, in 1887. Five years later they decided to place an additional benchmark at the highest point of the range, and named this second survey mark "Deseret". As it often happens, benchmark designation on the topo was co-opted as the name of the peak.

The name "Onaqui" is still used both for the Northern prominence of the Stansburies and for the Southern part of the range.

Books

Deseret Peak and the Stansbury Mountains

Utah Mountaineering Guide

By Michael R. Kelsey. This is the best book available for climbing the major mountains in Utah including Deseret Peak.

High In Utah (County Highpoints)

By Michael Weibel. This book has information on climbing all of Utah's county highpoints.

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