vanman798 - Aug 20, 2023 10:08 am Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2023
After Thurston
Returning to the Francis Road after hiking to Thurston peak, Peter, Ryan and I wandered up the north facing ride of Francis Peak to it's summit to have a closer look at the radar/communication towers. After traversing the peak I saw the huge sign on it's southern aspect (the road) listing that it is a "Restricted Area". There was a government SUV on the summit, but no one said anything to us nor did the drive of the SUV show himself.
I tried this via Bair Canyon on 3/17/2020; had to use microspikes after 30 minutes (packed snow/ice on trail), snowshoes at one hour... got up to the end of the tall trees and started trying to ascend the snowfield (no idea where trail was), snow was deep and wet, kept post-holing thigh-deep even with snowshoes and turned around. I could see the GWT on the ridge, Francis Peak RIGHT THERE, so close... it was 50F out that day, my own fault not thinking through that the snow would be wet.
Tried again 7/2/2020 and was successful (also summitted Peak 9471 -- the one with the two boxy buildings now empty of weather monitoring stuff/antennas), no snow on trail; only the occasional snowy clump left on shaded parts of ridge. The switchbacks my map promised for the last climb to the GWT are gone, but funnily enough from Peak 9471 you can see the old switchbacks clear as day... they're just grown over and not maintained anymore. The last section of trail through the tall trees had newly placed trail markers (can bottoms, zip ties, etc.) Started 6:30am, summit Francis Peak 9:45am, picked up Peak 9471 and then down and back at my car by 1:15pm. Only a few people and a camper along trail past the bridge, but lots of large families before the bridge. Group of 10 mountain bikers on summit of Francis Peak. The view from the GWT in that area is amazing.
Just before the trailhead for Bair Canyon, there's a newly expanded Froot Loops parking lot for all of the biking trails. I ended up there by accident the first time I tried to find the right parking lot.
The beginning of the trail had several flyers posted stating the Gutsman annual race is still on for 8/1/2020. https://www.bairgutsman.com/
Wisemtn - Jun 28, 2020 7:06 am Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2020
Francis/Thurston
Up Wolverine Ridge Down Webb Canyon Holmes Creek
Outdoorpartner - Jun 24, 2020 8:44 pm Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2020
Mountain bike summit
Very steep biking from the locked gate until near the top! Hands really hurt on the way down because of all the braking. Great views on top. To be clear, I did not just start biking at the locked gate!
Scott - Jun 23, 2020 8:21 am Date Climbed: Jun 20, 2020
Francis Peak
My dad and I cimbed Francis Peak, Peak 9491, Thurston Peak, as well as one other un-ranked summit today. It was a very scenic climb and with great views. Thurston Peak and Francis Peak are two of the few remaining peaks I still hadn't done in the Wasatch. Most of the hike was easy, but getting around the big cornices was rather challenging.
utahjimk - Sep 8, 2019 7:40 am Date Climbed: Sep 7, 2019
one of several peaks today
drove ~ there up Farmington Canyon, then a series of county line peaks north to Thurston (with Wasatch Mt Club group).
LazyJSkwires - Nov 3, 2018 9:14 pm Date Climbed: May 28, 2017
Stream crossings
If there's a lot of snow and you go early in the season watch out for the stream crossings. They are absolutely no joke and don't make for easy travel. And then all the snow was kinda lame too
Had the trail to ourselves and didn't see anyone until we reached the dirt road at the end of the Bair Canyon road - a couple 4 wheelers. No matter what maps you see for this trail, don't get fooled into thinking there are switchbacks once you get out of the trees. Completely overgrown and you go straight up through the runoff channel coming down the hill. Not a lot of fun climbing down that part of the trail but the views on top were astounding. Pretty significant elevation gain and probably the most of any peaks we have done in Utah.
Drove up to the base of Francis then bagged it on the way to Thurston. Great road conditions. Got up there in a sedan. Like everyone else says on this site, the views from the top are quite breathtaking.
Outdoorpartner - Jun 27, 2017 7:15 pm Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2017
Still need crampons June 26
Nine hours round trip from Baer Canyon on a 97 degree day. There were still three snowy areas, but only the second one needed crampons. Way cool to see the radar towers up close - very high tech. Solo ascent.
morrelli64 - Jun 11, 2016 3:59 pm Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2016
Once is nice but do it twice
Climbed up this on the way to Thurston, and back because the snow drift and cornices on the back side were a bit iffy. It was fine on the way up, took it out on the way back.
TheEudaimonic - Feb 25, 2016 12:28 pm Date Climbed: Jun 11, 2008
Great Hike
Great day hike, not easy, but not difficult. Views are well worth the climb, and radio towers are interesting to look at.
bdz132 - Oct 28, 2015 2:29 pm Date Climbed: Oct 3, 2015
Victory!
My fourth attempt was in 2015. I again hiked via Bair Canyon, this time with my oldest son and my daughter. When we got to the ridge, there was a huge cloudburst that turned into sleet and wind. We had ponchos, but we still got cold and wet. We hiked up the road to the towers and huddled next to the building until the storm let up. On the way down, the trail was wet and muddy and we fell several times. The trip took nearly 12 hours! It was great to finally reach the top.
bdz132 - Oct 28, 2015 2:20 pm Date Climbed: Oct 18, 2014
Arthritis
My third attempt was in the fall of 2014. My father, my youngest son and I again hiked via Bair Canyon, but had to turn back after my father's arthritis started to bother him.
bdz132 - Oct 28, 2015 2:12 pm Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2014
Bad Foot
My second attempt was in the summer of 2014. My oldest son and I again tried to hike to the summit via Bair Canyon, but had to turn back after about a mile because of a sore foot.
bdz132 - Oct 28, 2015 2:09 pm Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2013
Rained out
My first attempt (of four) was in 2013. My oldest son and I tried to hike up Bair Canyon to the towers, but got caught in a thunderstorm. We tried to sit out the rain, but then the lightning started hitting the mountain and we didn't think it would be a good idea to get anywhere near the top. We hiked back to the car, soaking wet and vowing to do it another day.
7Swixom7 - Aug 15, 2015 7:00 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2015
not too bad of a drive to Francis peak
Just wanted to drive up there first and yes I was successful at getting up there with just a corrolla. No 4 by 4 necessary this time of year!
Brian Kalet - Jul 13, 2015 7:47 pm Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2015
Climbed Twice
7/4/2015: With Deseret Peak.
6/5/2016: With Thurston Peak & Snow Horse Ridge.
vanman798 - Aug 20, 2023 10:08 am Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2023
After ThurstonReturning to the Francis Road after hiking to Thurston peak, Peter, Ryan and I wandered up the north facing ride of Francis Peak to it's summit to have a closer look at the radar/communication towers. After traversing the peak I saw the huge sign on it's southern aspect (the road) listing that it is a "Restricted Area". There was a government SUV on the summit, but no one said anything to us nor did the drive of the SUV show himself.
americanswiss - Oct 24, 2020 12:20 pm
FrancisTrailless Route
neotoma - Jul 2, 2020 5:53 pm Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2020
Got it on 2nd try...I tried this via Bair Canyon on 3/17/2020; had to use microspikes after 30 minutes (packed snow/ice on trail), snowshoes at one hour... got up to the end of the tall trees and started trying to ascend the snowfield (no idea where trail was), snow was deep and wet, kept post-holing thigh-deep even with snowshoes and turned around. I could see the GWT on the ridge, Francis Peak RIGHT THERE, so close... it was 50F out that day, my own fault not thinking through that the snow would be wet.
Tried again 7/2/2020 and was successful (also summitted Peak 9471 -- the one with the two boxy buildings now empty of weather monitoring stuff/antennas), no snow on trail; only the occasional snowy clump left on shaded parts of ridge. The switchbacks my map promised for the last climb to the GWT are gone, but funnily enough from Peak 9471 you can see the old switchbacks clear as day... they're just grown over and not maintained anymore. The last section of trail through the tall trees had newly placed trail markers (can bottoms, zip ties, etc.) Started 6:30am, summit Francis Peak 9:45am, picked up Peak 9471 and then down and back at my car by 1:15pm. Only a few people and a camper along trail past the bridge, but lots of large families before the bridge. Group of 10 mountain bikers on summit of Francis Peak. The view from the GWT in that area is amazing.
Just before the trailhead for Bair Canyon, there's a newly expanded Froot Loops parking lot for all of the biking trails. I ended up there by accident the first time I tried to find the right parking lot.
The beginning of the trail had several flyers posted stating the Gutsman annual race is still on for 8/1/2020. https://www.bairgutsman.com/
Wisemtn - Jun 28, 2020 7:06 am Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2020
Francis/ThurstonUp Wolverine Ridge Down Webb Canyon Holmes Creek
Outdoorpartner - Jun 24, 2020 8:44 pm Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2020
Mountain bike summitVery steep biking from the locked gate until near the top! Hands really hurt on the way down because of all the braking. Great views on top. To be clear, I did not just start biking at the locked gate!
Scott - Jun 23, 2020 8:21 am Date Climbed: Jun 20, 2020
Francis PeakMy dad and I cimbed Francis Peak, Peak 9491, Thurston Peak, as well as one other un-ranked summit today. It was a very scenic climb and with great views. Thurston Peak and Francis Peak are two of the few remaining peaks I still hadn't done in the Wasatch. Most of the hike was easy, but getting around the big cornices was rather challenging.
utahjimk - Sep 8, 2019 7:40 am Date Climbed: Sep 7, 2019
one of several peaks todaydrove ~ there up Farmington Canyon, then a series of county line peaks north to Thurston (with Wasatch Mt Club group).
LazyJSkwires - Nov 3, 2018 9:14 pm Date Climbed: May 28, 2017
Stream crossingsIf there's a lot of snow and you go early in the season watch out for the stream crossings. They are absolutely no joke and don't make for easy travel. And then all the snow was kinda lame too
punchline - Sep 5, 2018 3:57 pm Date Climbed: Sep 4, 2018
Up Bair CanyonHad the trail to ourselves and didn't see anyone until we reached the dirt road at the end of the Bair Canyon road - a couple 4 wheelers. No matter what maps you see for this trail, don't get fooled into thinking there are switchbacks once you get out of the trees. Completely overgrown and you go straight up through the runoff channel coming down the hill. Not a lot of fun climbing down that part of the trail but the views on top were astounding. Pretty significant elevation gain and probably the most of any peaks we have done in Utah.
BKiser90 - Jul 30, 2017 7:01 pm Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2017
Franics to ThurstonDrove up to the base of Francis then bagged it on the way to Thurston. Great road conditions. Got up there in a sedan. Like everyone else says on this site, the views from the top are quite breathtaking.
Outdoorpartner - Jun 27, 2017 7:15 pm Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2017
Still need crampons June 26Nine hours round trip from Baer Canyon on a 97 degree day. There were still three snowy areas, but only the second one needed crampons. Way cool to see the radar towers up close - very high tech. Solo ascent.
morrelli64 - Jun 11, 2016 3:59 pm Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2016
Once is nice but do it twiceClimbed up this on the way to Thurston, and back because the snow drift and cornices on the back side were a bit iffy. It was fine on the way up, took it out on the way back.
TheEudaimonic - Feb 25, 2016 12:28 pm Date Climbed: Jun 11, 2008
Great HikeGreat day hike, not easy, but not difficult. Views are well worth the climb, and radio towers are interesting to look at.
bdz132 - Oct 28, 2015 2:29 pm Date Climbed: Oct 3, 2015
Victory!My fourth attempt was in 2015. I again hiked via Bair Canyon, this time with my oldest son and my daughter. When we got to the ridge, there was a huge cloudburst that turned into sleet and wind. We had ponchos, but we still got cold and wet. We hiked up the road to the towers and huddled next to the building until the storm let up. On the way down, the trail was wet and muddy and we fell several times. The trip took nearly 12 hours! It was great to finally reach the top.
bdz132 - Oct 28, 2015 2:20 pm Date Climbed: Oct 18, 2014
ArthritisMy third attempt was in the fall of 2014. My father, my youngest son and I again hiked via Bair Canyon, but had to turn back after my father's arthritis started to bother him.
bdz132 - Oct 28, 2015 2:12 pm Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2014
Bad FootMy second attempt was in the summer of 2014. My oldest son and I again tried to hike to the summit via Bair Canyon, but had to turn back after about a mile because of a sore foot.
bdz132 - Oct 28, 2015 2:09 pm Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2013
Rained outMy first attempt (of four) was in 2013. My oldest son and I tried to hike up Bair Canyon to the towers, but got caught in a thunderstorm. We tried to sit out the rain, but then the lightning started hitting the mountain and we didn't think it would be a good idea to get anywhere near the top. We hiked back to the car, soaking wet and vowing to do it another day.
7Swixom7 - Aug 15, 2015 7:00 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2015
not too bad of a drive to Francis peakJust wanted to drive up there first and yes I was successful at getting up there with just a corrolla. No 4 by 4 necessary this time of year!
Brian Kalet - Jul 13, 2015 7:47 pm Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2015
Climbed Twice7/4/2015: With Deseret Peak.
6/5/2016: With Thurston Peak & Snow Horse Ridge.
DarrenKnezek - Jul 12, 2015 12:57 pm Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2015
On the way back from ThurstonThurston, 9491, then this one. Really fun day.