Farnsworth Peak (UT)

Overview

Farnsworth and Kessler Peaks are the most northern big mountains in the Oquirrh Mountains. Everyone in the Salt Lake Valley can see them though few know their names. Farnsworth Peak gets more notice, especially since there are local news antennas on the summit. Access to this area from the Salt Lake City side is completely restricted, including roads that go up both peaks from that side. But, much of the west side is BLM land. It extends all the way to the summit so Kessler is legal to climb. I've drawn the property line on the map. The final few hundred feet up Farnsworth is not BLM. In spring, with the right conditions, I was able to do this route with no brush at all. I spent considerable time scouting this route before hand and believe it is the most direct with the fewest issues. Spring is also preferable as you won't see anyone up there as the roads on top are deep in snow. Farnsworth Peak is named after Philo T. Farnsworth, one of the inventors of Television, so expect a lot of antennas.

Farnsworth from East Kessler

Getting There

Take the Tooele exit off I-80. At the first possible left turn into the gas stations. A sign says Frontage Road. Follow Frontage Road as it parallels I-80 heading back eastward. Less than a mile beyond the gas stations, the road does a hairpin turn at the base of the mountains. Now it heads south. Follow for a short distance looking for a dirt road next to some rock cliffs with graffiti on them. I parked right there. There are no signs indicating private property, I think it is owned by the railway. If you don't like the parking situation, you could always park at the gas stations and bike there.

Red Tape

None for Kessler Peak, Farnsworth is on private property near the summit.

Farnsworth and Kessler Peaks Map

Panoramic of Kessler Peak in Route

Route

The dirt road continues off the pavement up a steep hill adjacent to the railway. Follow the road up and down a bit, get on the railroad tracks and head south. Walk the tracks a short distance then begin your traverse toward the west ridge of Kessler. There is a powerline road as well to walk but it starts descending after awhile. There are several drainages so you don't want to go too high too fast. One could also just walk a powerline road at the base of the mountains cutting up further south near Rodgers Canyon. Once you are on the ridge to the south of Rodgers Canyon, it is straight forward ridge climbing until you are on the summit. No obstacles, no brush with spring snow coverage. The traverse between the two peaks is a basic snowshoe as well. My time was 4 hours for Kessler and an additional hour to reach Farnsworth.  

Kessler Peak and route

Kessler Peak and route upper

Kessler Peak final feet

Farnsworth from Kessler Peak

Salt Lake Valley

View Northeast

Stansbury Range

Farnsworth to Kessler Peak

Great Salt Lake

Farnsworth Peak summit

Bonus Peaks - Kennecott 6 Loop

To the north and east of Kessler are 4 more peaks. Unfortunately, they are on private Kennecott property. I'm not saying I did this loop but if I did, it might have taken me 13.5 hours, over 22 miles, 6 peaks total with 7,400 foot elevation gain.

Kennecott 6 Loop

Route to peaks east

Additional Information

If you are interested in climbing all the peaks in the Oquirrh Mountains, keep an eye on my Oquirrh Mountains Page on my website HERE. Within a few years, I should complete them all with maps and trip reports for each...except those on private property which I will strictly deny I climbed but possibly have pictures from the summit if you like to see them.

Philo T. Farnsworth

Like to learn more about Farnsworth and your television? Here is a link. Wikipedia

Statue inside the Utah State Capitol