The directions provided work okay if heading south on I-15. However, going either direction on I-15, it works better to take exit 260 (Springville/Mapleton) then head East to U.S. 89 where you turn right and stay to the far right after turning. The camping sign at Maple Street does not indicate it is for Whiting, but when you turn right (East) onto 400 North a sign does indicate "Whiting Campground". You actually start on Trail 006 for the first quarter mile before crossing a stream, where the 5-mile trail to the peak begins as Trail 007.
It is not a mountain as is referred to in your post. The whole mass from Maple canyon to Diamond fork Canyon is called Maple Mountain. That is called Maple Mountain. If anyone calls the PEAK Maple Mountain they would be wrong. Local residents call the mountain mass that stretches from Maple canyon to the mouth of Diamond fork Canyon, Maple Mountain. Spanish Fork peak is not a mountain. It is a peak. A peak is the highest point of a mountain. The range from maple canyon to Diamond fork canyon is called Maple Mountain. That is what Mapleton residents refer to when they say Maple Mountain, not the actual peak.And Spanish Fork Peak is part of Maple Mountain and is its highest point.I have heard people call it Maple Peak,(it is a peak but that isn't its real name). But I have never heard anyone call the actual Spanish Fork Peak "Maple Mountain." Maple Mountain High school was not named after the peak either,but the mass from Maple to Diamond Fork canyon.(look on google maps or google earth if needed) Most Locals here don't say "Im going to climb to Maple Mountain" . They say "Im going to climb to the TOP of Maple Mountain or I'm going to climb Maple Mountain(referring to the mountain mass between the two canyons), or "I'm going to climb or hike to Spanish Fork Peak." Glad I could clear that up for you. -(Mapleton Resident)
When you get to the campground, stay to the left and continue driving through the campground to the end of the paved road where the real trailhead parking is. You'll save a good bit of walking. There is no sign to trailhead parking until you get there, but there is a good lot with bathroom. The trail starts as what appears to be an abandoned gravel road at the top of the TH lot.
When you get to the top of the ridge, you will go left (south) to the summit. You will see two trails that start so close together you might think they are really the same trail, but the higher one follows the ridge over the false summit, with good views to the east, while the lower one traverses around the false summit, with good views to the west. The two join up at the low point between the false and true summits. The trail over the false summit is fairly steep and loose. Go one way and come back the other way.
Lots of meadows up high that should be gorgeous in July. Lots of aspen forest lower down that should have great fall colors. If you go in early summer and are lucky enough to find stable snow in the upper basin, there is potential for a good glissade. Good hike.
olderhiker - Aug 24, 2012 11:16 pm - Hasn't voted
Getting thereThe directions provided work okay if heading south on I-15. However, going either direction on I-15, it works better to take exit 260 (Springville/Mapleton) then head East to U.S. 89 where you turn right and stay to the far right after turning. The camping sign at Maple Street does not indicate it is for Whiting, but when you turn right (East) onto 400 North a sign does indicate "Whiting Campground". You actually start on Trail 006 for the first quarter mile before crossing a stream, where the 5-mile trail to the peak begins as Trail 007.
4646 - Oct 25, 2014 8:45 pm - Hasn't voted
It is Spanish fork Peak but..It is not a mountain as is referred to in your post. The whole mass from Maple canyon to Diamond fork Canyon is called Maple Mountain. That is called Maple Mountain. If anyone calls the PEAK Maple Mountain they would be wrong. Local residents call the mountain mass that stretches from Maple canyon to the mouth of Diamond fork Canyon, Maple Mountain. Spanish Fork peak is not a mountain. It is a peak. A peak is the highest point of a mountain. The range from maple canyon to Diamond fork canyon is called Maple Mountain. That is what Mapleton residents refer to when they say Maple Mountain, not the actual peak.And Spanish Fork Peak is part of Maple Mountain and is its highest point.I have heard people call it Maple Peak,(it is a peak but that isn't its real name). But I have never heard anyone call the actual Spanish Fork Peak "Maple Mountain." Maple Mountain High school was not named after the peak either,but the mass from Maple to Diamond Fork canyon.(look on google maps or google earth if needed) Most Locals here don't say "Im going to climb to Maple Mountain" . They say "Im going to climb to the TOP of Maple Mountain or I'm going to climb Maple Mountain(referring to the mountain mass between the two canyons), or "I'm going to climb or hike to Spanish Fork Peak." Glad I could clear that up for you. -(Mapleton Resident)
summitbeth - Sep 6, 2021 5:43 pm - Hasn't voted
Getting there, and summit routeWhen you get to the campground, stay to the left and continue driving through the campground to the end of the paved road where the real trailhead parking is. You'll save a good bit of walking. There is no sign to trailhead parking until you get there, but there is a good lot with bathroom. The trail starts as what appears to be an abandoned gravel road at the top of the TH lot.
When you get to the top of the ridge, you will go left (south) to the summit. You will see two trails that start so close together you might think they are really the same trail, but the higher one follows the ridge over the false summit, with good views to the east, while the lower one traverses around the false summit, with good views to the west. The two join up at the low point between the false and true summits. The trail over the false summit is fairly steep and loose. Go one way and come back the other way.
Lots of meadows up high that should be gorgeous in July. Lots of aspen forest lower down that should have great fall colors. If you go in early summer and are lucky enough to find stable snow in the upper basin, there is potential for a good glissade. Good hike.