Butterfield Canyon Trail

Overview

Forget everything you know about the Oquirrh Mountains. Kelsey, White Pine and Butterfield Peaks break all the rules. There is a nice trail which takes you up to the summits. Second, they are accessed from the Salt Lake County side of the Oquirrhs. The scenery is spectacular and unlike other Oquirrh peaks, you don't have to work very hard to reach it.
This trail should be in every Salt Lake hiking book but since it isn't, I was able to hike this area on a Saturday in July without seeing another person. It looks like the area is Kennecott Copper land but trail hiking almost seems encouraged, no signs and a nice parking area. I've included White Pine and Butterfield Peaks since this route passes by both of them.
 

White Pine Peak

Kelsey Peak

Getting There

From Bangerter Highway, take 12600 (Harriman Parkway) east. After a few lights, turn left on Main Street. Follow Main Street that eventually becomes the Harriman Highway. Eventually the road starts to turn north becoming U-111. At that point, Butterfield Canyon Road cuts off left. Follow it for 7 paved but narrow miles to Butterfield Pass. Lots of parking on the south side of the pass.

During the summer when it is open, Butterfield Pass is a major commuting link between Tooele and south Salt Lake County. Go sit at the pass at 6 a.m. and you'll be amazed at the volume of people driving over this narrow mountain road going to work.

Kelsey Peak Map

Route Description

On the south side of the pass are 3 "trails". Find the most western one. Just behind the jersey barrier, a narrow hiking trail will shoot uphill from the old blocked roadway. Follow this trail as it climbs up through conifer forests. The trail may be brushy in places but the trail tread is in excellent shape. As you climb the ridge, soon the summit of Butterfield Peaks will come into view with it's antennas poking above the forest. The trail will traverse a few hundred feet below the summit. On the western ridge area, the trail will split. Left will take you up to the summit, right will take you to the saddle area west of the summit. Although there is a private road from the east up Butterfield Peaks, the views there are outstanding and worth a sunrise visit! It's a easy summit! Continuing on the trail west toward the Kelsey Peak, keep an eye out for an 8 foot cairn above the trail on the ridge. This cairn is one of the best constructed cairns I've ever seen. Very sturdy, includes a seat on the west side! From the cairn, the trail is going to drop 300 feet so many might stop there with the spectacular view of Lowe Peaks north face. For those wanting Kelsey and White Pine, the trail works up the east ridge of White Pine Peak. Although it's easy to loose in a few places, it is there if you keep looking. After White Pine Peak, just drop to Piney Pass and scramble up a climbers/game trail to the top of Kelsey. Kelsey is only 50 feet higher than White Pine Peak, views are about the same. There is also an old trail from Piney Pass back down to around 9,400 feet on the ridge you came up.
 

Copper Mine

Sunrise over the Wasatch

Butterfield Canyon

Trail up Butterfield Peaks

Kelsey Peak

Kelsey Peak

Lowe Peak

Lowe Peak

White Pine Summit

Kelsey and Piney Pass

Kelsey from White Pine

North from White Pine

Last few feet up Kelsey

Kelsey Peak

Looking south to Lowe and Rocky

Tooele from Kelsey

White Pine from Kelsey

Stansbury Range from Kelsey

Utah Lake from Kelsey

Memorial on the summit of Kelsey