If it has antennas on it, it is Kessler Peak. If not, probably one called Farnsworth.
Actually both Farsworth and Kessler have antennas, and in fact Farnsworth has the bigger ones. Farnsworth has three towers on the summit, and one of them used to be the highest in the country.
Anyway, the bad news is that both peaks have difficult access, though you can access Kessler from the north. The good news is that the Oqhirrh Mountains are the only range in the state of Utah that has major private land issues.
The County has been in negotiations for a year with landowners to maintain the private landowner’s road rights and still provide access for the public to use the South Fork Ophir Canyon Road. Leo Ault stated that he is the landowner of the road, that there have been locked gates on the road, that people have been cutting off the locks and using the roads. He stated that is trespassing. (He wants the road closed but the county has a case that since the roads have been used for years as public roads, they have an easement for public use). Leo Ault disagrees, Steve Ault also said he has never turned down a request to access the property.
I don't know about easements, but I obtained a 2009 map of the area from BLM. It shows only private land for at least a mile to the south and west of the summit. This makes me think there is no access on the described route unless the landowner agrees. I think I will climb elsewhere.
Dean, I've posted a Trip report to give an update based on my experience this past week. There have been several changes and I thought it was worth putting up the trip report to clear up all the confusion I experienced trying to figure out how to get to the top of this mountain. Might be worth some updating on the page. Of note:
1) It's only 2.3 miles from trailhead to 8000' saddle - contrary to other reports
2) There is signage and no longer any 'No Trespassing' signs along the way
3) There is a new use trail of sorts around the North side of Lewiston Ridge from the 9000' clearing to the 9600' saddle.
Also, does anyone have any information on coming up the mountain from the other side, near Fairfield? I have heard of others doing this and from the summit, it looks like a shorter route and a pretty easy straight shot from just above Fairfield to the saddle between Lewiston and Flat Top. Somebody has to have some info on this.
There is a free County camping area 0.6 mile past the turnoff to the Lewiston/Flat Top trailhead parking area. Nice sites with a toilet.
The "new" trail appears to be an old horse trail but it is the best way to go as it keep you out of the wind, rain, etc. When you get to the square rock described in the July 2013 trip report you need to continue straight ahead to find the trail. After that it is very evident. The square rock is located at WGS84 40.68036 -112.20845 / UTM 397384 4468036. The fuel cans containing water are located at 40.35919 -112.20254 / UTM 397890 4468319. When ascending the "new" trail you will encounter several Aspen trees which have been spray painted with florescent paint. These are not visible when descending the ridge back to the fuel can storage area.
Scott - May 2, 2006 2:58 am - Voted 10/10
Re: What is the mountain...If it has antennas on it, it is Kessler Peak. If not, probably one called Farnsworth.
Actually both Farsworth and Kessler have antennas, and in fact Farnsworth has the bigger ones. Farnsworth has three towers on the summit, and one of them used to be the highest in the country.
Anyway, the bad news is that both peaks have difficult access, though you can access Kessler from the north. The good news is that the Oqhirrh Mountains are the only range in the state of Utah that has major private land issues.
Scott - Feb 2, 2007 12:26 am - Voted 10/10
RumorI wonder if it is true? Eek!
Anyway, check out this out:
From Emigration Ridge, looking west toward Lewiston Peak 10411' and Flat Top Mountain 10,620' the highest point in the Oquirrhs.
On a clear day in the winter, you can see the entire Wasatch from there.
From the Wellsvilles near Logan in the North, to Mount Nebo near Nephi in the South.
A span of nearly half the state of Utah.
You won't be going there any time soon though, as the entrance from Ophir is owned by the Ault Family.
I hear they're building a tram up to Flat Top or a nearby peak.
source
ridgeguy - May 10, 2010 1:57 am - Voted 10/10
2009 info from a County MeetngThe County has been in negotiations for a year with landowners to maintain the private landowner’s road rights and still provide access for the public to use the South Fork Ophir Canyon Road. Leo Ault stated that he is the landowner of the road, that there have been locked gates on the road, that people have been cutting off the locks and using the roads. He stated that is trespassing. (He wants the road closed but the county has a case that since the roads have been used for years as public roads, they have an easement for public use). Leo Ault disagrees, Steve Ault also said he has never turned down a request to access the property.
RogerD - Aug 25, 2011 12:39 am - Hasn't voted
BLM MapI don't know about easements, but I obtained a 2009 map of the area from BLM. It shows only private land for at least a mile to the south and west of the summit. This makes me think there is no access on the described route unless the landowner agrees. I think I will climb elsewhere.
runbyu1 - Jul 8, 2013 3:11 pm - Hasn't voted
July 2013 UpdateDean, I've posted a Trip report to give an update based on my experience this past week. There have been several changes and I thought it was worth putting up the trip report to clear up all the confusion I experienced trying to figure out how to get to the top of this mountain. Might be worth some updating on the page. Of note:
1) It's only 2.3 miles from trailhead to 8000' saddle - contrary to other reports
2) There is signage and no longer any 'No Trespassing' signs along the way
3) There is a new use trail of sorts around the North side of Lewiston Ridge from the 9000' clearing to the 9600' saddle.
Hope this helps!
Dean - Jul 8, 2013 5:24 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: July 2013 UpdateThanks for your updating the access info. I've linked your page to the front. Good job.
runbyu1 - Jul 8, 2013 3:15 pm - Hasn't voted
Coming Up from Fairfield?Also, does anyone have any information on coming up the mountain from the other side, near Fairfield? I have heard of others doing this and from the summit, it looks like a shorter route and a pretty easy straight shot from just above Fairfield to the saddle between Lewiston and Flat Top. Somebody has to have some info on this.
wingman - Sep 21, 2013 1:40 pm - Hasn't voted
Lewiston/FlatTopThere is a free County camping area 0.6 mile past the turnoff to the Lewiston/Flat Top trailhead parking area. Nice sites with a toilet.
The "new" trail appears to be an old horse trail but it is the best way to go as it keep you out of the wind, rain, etc. When you get to the square rock described in the July 2013 trip report you need to continue straight ahead to find the trail. After that it is very evident. The square rock is located at WGS84 40.68036 -112.20845 / UTM 397384 4468036. The fuel cans containing water are located at 40.35919 -112.20254 / UTM 397890 4468319. When ascending the "new" trail you will encounter several Aspen trees which have been spray painted with florescent paint. These are not visible when descending the ridge back to the fuel can storage area.