Udink - Aug 29, 2022 12:15 pm Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2022
Thurston Peak
I camped about 0.6 miles north of Francis Peak and got an early start the next morning. Despite the early start there were several vehicles already at the end of the road and it was very tight turning my Jeep around and parking off the road. I guess I can see why most route descriptions say to park at the Francis Peak gate, but why add 3.6 miles to the hike? I made it to Thurston Peak and back before noon, and saw about 20 other people on the way, mostly trail-runners and a few hunters. My round trip was 5.19 miles in 3 hours 40 minutes.
vanman798 - Jul 14, 2021 9:21 am Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2023
From Francis Peak Road
Drove up the Francis Peak Road. Parked by the gate of the road leading to Francis Peak. Walked the drivable dirt road for about 2 miles, then followed the GWT another 2.5 miles where we branched off and followed the west facing ridge (the same one I followed the entirety of in Dec 2020) for the last 20 mins of the hike. Our route turned out to be closer to 5 miles then the 4.3 often listed for this hike - I'll guess it was 4.8 miles.
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Dec 30, 2020,The summit was freezing cold in Dec. Fun day out! Used the Adams Canyon North Ridge from Highway 89.
ericnoel - Jun 30, 2021 6:06 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2021
Thurston
Wildflowers and the rain/lightning held off. Pleasant hike.
leaping.fool - Dec 3, 2020 5:19 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2014
The 1st of my Utah counties highpoints
Hiked this to celebrate pioneer day with some good friends.
Wisemtn - Jun 28, 2020 7:06 am Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2020
Francis/Thurston
Up Wolverine Ridge Down Webb Canyon Holmes Creek
Scott - Jun 23, 2020 8:20 am Date Climbed: Jun 20, 2020
Thurston 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 7:34 am Date Climbed: Sep 7, 2019
with Wasatch Mt Club group
drove up to almost to Francis Peak, then north of county line peaks 9403, 9381, 9491, 9423 and Thurston Peak.
Outdoorpartner - Jul 1, 2019 7:13 am Date Climbed: Jun 29, 2019
Adams Cabin route
Two snowfield crossings and I followed the GW trail around looking for an easy way to the top. That added a little mileage and actually more bushwacking. When I got to the top, there were two other people who had hiked over from Francis Peak. Beautiful views up there, but still a lot of snow on the west face. Took 8 1/2 hours.
dfox - Feb 3, 2019 2:11 pm Date Climbed: May 25, 2018
Thurston Peak
My 3rd Utah county high point. Thurston Peak via Farmington Canyon and Francis Peak.
Ammon Hatch - Feb 18, 2018 2:56 am Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2017
Gneiss Hike
Hiked from the area below Francis peak. Couldn't stop looking at the beautiful rock along the way. Farmington Canyon formation: oldest rock in Utah. Huge feldspar crystals.
Brian Kalet - Jan 15, 2018 5:04 pm Date Climbed: Jun 5, 2016
3 Peaks
With Francis Peak & Snow Horse Ridge.
LazyJSkwires - Oct 6, 2017 5:37 pm Date Climbed: Oct 6, 2017
Cloudy
It was cold and cloudy at the top. Not a whole lot else to say. Couldn't see anything up there
Great little hike from the hiking area below Francis. The views from on top were amazing as it was a relatively clear summer day. Had the peak all to ourselves for about a half hour. Could see west to Pilot Peak in NV, east to the Uintas, down south to Mt. Nebo, and north to the Bear River Range.
morrelli64 - Jun 11, 2016 4:03 pm Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2016
Half of it was in snow.
Started near Francis and worked the way over to Thurston. About half the trail was still covered in deep snow, which made for a slower going and nerve ending climb. The views, oh the views!
bdz132 - Oct 27, 2015 7:58 pm Date Climbed: Oct 24, 2015
Sunrise from Thurston
I left in the evening after work and hiked up part way via Kays Creek. I pitched my tent at the campsite with the stove and fire pit. It was much colder than I expected, with snow on the ground. I left an hour before sunrise and reached the summit as the sun was coming up. Great view.
Thanks to Moogie737 for the thorough trip report. I think I wouldn't have been able to follow the trail without it.
Highpointer1837 - Aug 8, 2015 6:33 pm Date Climbed: Oct 15, 2014
Great Fall Color.
Made the hike on a beautiful fall day. Fall foliage was at peak.
Drove up to saddle near Francis Peak. Hiked over to Francis and back. Gorgeous Hike. Hit all the sub-peaks as well.
kteichert - Aug 19, 2014 1:56 pm Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2014
Ridge Walk
Took the ridge from Francis across to Thurston. I followed the trail under the summit to the northwest ridge of Thurston and then up. Followed the same route down. I think if I ever did this hike again, I'd head up the Southeast ridge of Thurston and cut off a little. Trail was a little overgrown, but the route is pretty straight forward. Round trip 10 miles and 2500' of elevation gain.
Sorry, but I just had to use a gross title like utahguy058. I really enjoyed this ridge run! It's always fun to scamper [relatively effortlessly] across multiple summits. So pretty, too! Started just below Francis and hiked across to hit Thurston followed by Peak 9491 and finally Francis on the way back. Some girls on dirt bikes were confused that we were afoot. Silly girls.
It really isn't your typical drive-up. There's plenty of mileage and vert to be had going from Francis to Thurston, especially if you hit Peak 9491. Make it a Three-fer and everyone in your group will thank you. Great sunset too, BTDubbs.
Udink - Aug 29, 2022 12:15 pm Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2022
Thurston PeakI camped about 0.6 miles north of Francis Peak and got an early start the next morning. Despite the early start there were several vehicles already at the end of the road and it was very tight turning my Jeep around and parking off the road. I guess I can see why most route descriptions say to park at the Francis Peak gate, but why add 3.6 miles to the hike? I made it to Thurston Peak and back before noon, and saw about 20 other people on the way, mostly trail-runners and a few hunters. My round trip was 5.19 miles in 3 hours 40 minutes.
vanman798 - Jul 14, 2021 9:21 am Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2023
From Francis Peak RoadDrove up the Francis Peak Road. Parked by the gate of the road leading to Francis Peak. Walked the drivable dirt road for about 2 miles, then followed the GWT another 2.5 miles where we branched off and followed the west facing ridge (the same one I followed the entirety of in Dec 2020) for the last 20 mins of the hike. Our route turned out to be closer to 5 miles then the 4.3 often listed for this hike - I'll guess it was 4.8 miles.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dec 30, 2020,The summit was freezing cold in Dec. Fun day out! Used the Adams Canyon North Ridge from Highway 89.
ericnoel - Jun 30, 2021 6:06 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2021
ThurstonWildflowers and the rain/lightning held off. Pleasant hike.
leaping.fool - Dec 3, 2020 5:19 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2014
The 1st of my Utah counties highpointsHiked this to celebrate pioneer day with some good friends.
Wisemtn - Jun 28, 2020 7:06 am Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2020
Francis/ThurstonUp Wolverine Ridge Down Webb Canyon Holmes Creek
Scott - Jun 23, 2020 8:20 am Date Climbed: Jun 20, 2020
Thurston 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 7:34 am Date Climbed: Sep 7, 2019
with Wasatch Mt Club groupdrove up to almost to Francis Peak, then north of county line peaks 9403, 9381, 9491, 9423 and Thurston Peak.
Outdoorpartner - Jul 1, 2019 7:13 am Date Climbed: Jun 29, 2019
Adams Cabin routeTwo snowfield crossings and I followed the GW trail around looking for an easy way to the top. That added a little mileage and actually more bushwacking. When I got to the top, there were two other people who had hiked over from Francis Peak. Beautiful views up there, but still a lot of snow on the west face. Took 8 1/2 hours.
dfox - Feb 3, 2019 2:11 pm Date Climbed: May 25, 2018
Thurston PeakMy 3rd Utah county high point. Thurston Peak via Farmington Canyon and Francis Peak.
Ammon Hatch - Feb 18, 2018 2:56 am Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2017
Gneiss HikeHiked from the area below Francis peak. Couldn't stop looking at the beautiful rock along the way. Farmington Canyon formation: oldest rock in Utah. Huge feldspar crystals.
Brian Kalet - Jan 15, 2018 5:04 pm Date Climbed: Jun 5, 2016
3 PeaksWith Francis Peak & Snow Horse Ridge.
LazyJSkwires - Oct 6, 2017 5:37 pm Date Climbed: Oct 6, 2017
CloudyIt was cold and cloudy at the top. Not a whole lot else to say. Couldn't see anything up there
BKiser90 - Jul 30, 2017 7:05 pm Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2017
Francis to ThurstonGreat little hike from the hiking area below Francis. The views from on top were amazing as it was a relatively clear summer day. Had the peak all to ourselves for about a half hour. Could see west to Pilot Peak in NV, east to the Uintas, down south to Mt. Nebo, and north to the Bear River Range.
morrelli64 - Jun 11, 2016 4:03 pm Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2016
Half of it was in snow.Started near Francis and worked the way over to Thurston. About half the trail was still covered in deep snow, which made for a slower going and nerve ending climb. The views, oh the views!
bdz132 - Oct 27, 2015 7:58 pm Date Climbed: Oct 24, 2015
Sunrise from ThurstonI left in the evening after work and hiked up part way via Kays Creek. I pitched my tent at the campsite with the stove and fire pit. It was much colder than I expected, with snow on the ground. I left an hour before sunrise and reached the summit as the sun was coming up. Great view.
Thanks to Moogie737 for the thorough trip report. I think I wouldn't have been able to follow the trail without it.
Highpointer1837 - Aug 8, 2015 6:33 pm Date Climbed: Oct 15, 2014
Great Fall Color.Made the hike on a beautiful fall day. Fall foliage was at peak.
DarrenKnezek - Jul 12, 2015 12:53 pm Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2015
Francis to Thurston and BackDrove up to saddle near Francis Peak. Hiked over to Francis and back. Gorgeous Hike. Hit all the sub-peaks as well.
kteichert - Aug 19, 2014 1:56 pm Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2014
Ridge WalkTook the ridge from Francis across to Thurston. I followed the trail under the summit to the northwest ridge of Thurston and then up. Followed the same route down. I think if I ever did this hike again, I'd head up the Southeast ridge of Thurston and cut off a little. Trail was a little overgrown, but the route is pretty straight forward. Round trip 10 miles and 2500' of elevation gain.
abrennalinerush - Jul 27, 2014 4:26 pm Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2014
Thirstin' for ThurstonSorry, but I just had to use a gross title like utahguy058. I really enjoyed this ridge run! It's always fun to scamper [relatively effortlessly] across multiple summits. So pretty, too! Started just below Francis and hiked across to hit Thurston followed by Peak 9491 and finally Francis on the way back. Some girls on dirt bikes were confused that we were afoot. Silly girls.
PrinceOfNorway - Jul 27, 2014 12:30 pm Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2014
Ridge Fun!It really isn't your typical drive-up. There's plenty of mileage and vert to be had going from Francis to Thurston, especially if you hit Peak 9491. Make it a Three-fer and everyone in your group will thank you. Great sunset too, BTDubbs.