LazyJSkwires - Aug 14, 2022 9:00 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2022
Not where it seems
Four weeks ago, I tried doing this from the suggested starting point at Johnson Pass. It was hot, possibly the hottest day of the year. Thankfully some clouds rolled in around noon.
Things went well and I made it to what Google Maps, Alltrails, and the topo map I was using on Topo Maps+ at the time, Natural Atlas, said was Vickory Mountain. I trusted that these three sources wouldn't mislead me and went home.
Once I got home, I had to double check because it looked like there was an extra contour line on the next peak over according to the map on Strava. I looked around a little more and ListsofJohn and Peakbagger (I think they use CalTopo/USGS) were showing the true summit as the point I didn't get to. Sure enough, when I switched to AccuTerra Topo and Thunderforest Topo on Topo Maps they also agreed with CalTopo/USGS although it seems a little ambiguous because the wording stretches across multiple peaks on the CalTopo/USGS. AccuTerra and Thunderforest clearly show Vickory Mountain as the high point of the second, taller peak.
With this in mind, I planned to return to make sure I hit the high point. Today was that day and instead of doing the same route I wanted to change things up and come up from somewhere else. I followed Big Hollow Road up to the 4 wheeler trail that leads to the Stansbury Front Trail. There had been a massive storm the day before and things were more washed out than normal as well as absurdly muddy the entire day.
I left the trail at Hickman Pass and went up one of the spine's to the misleading summit before trekking over to what I feel is the true summit, which according to every map is taller than the other one.
If you are planning on hiking this, make sure to hit both summits just in case. And bring plenty of water
more than 90% of hike on snowshoes, from south at Johnson Pass. With Akiko, Barb and Chris (Wasatch Mt Club hike). Huge cornices developed - this winter was a good one for snow accumulation!
apachedino - Feb 13, 2016 5:23 pm Date Climbed: Feb 3, 2016
Excellent Snowshoe
What a great snowshoe! Breaking trail is a bit of work and unlikely to be done for you, but the views are incredible and the ridge has fine limber pine forests. I really enjoyed this gentle ridge.
scgrant - Feb 1, 2015 4:25 pm Date Climbed: Jan 29, 2015
Vickory Mountain
I went up the South Ridge route from Johnson Pass as is described on this page. Awesome snowshoe along the ridge. Johnson Pass is about 6500' in elevation and the route was relatively snow free and muddy up until about the 8000' mark. From there it was great snowshoeing. The valleys down below on either side of the ridge were completely socked in with fog and clouds. It made for some dramatic views looking out over the valley floors towards the other peaks in the distances. With all of the ups and downs along the ridge it ended up being over 5000 feet elevation gain and 10 miles roundtrip. Great route to do if you are looking to climb a 10,000 foot peak in the winter.
mtybumpo - Feb 5, 2012 2:28 pm Date Climbed: Feb 4, 2012
Great Snowshoe
A Long day but an AWESOME ridge walk. The views are incredible the whole way!
Pfeiffer75 - May 9, 2011 4:11 pm Date Climbed: May 7, 2011
Tough Climb
Parked in the wrong spot, GPS indicated we climbed total of 4464 feet elevation gain. Snow conditions were lousy, sliding with snow shoes and postholing without them. Views were excellent however. Encountered snow at 7800 feet with over 5 feet on the east face of the ridge at the summit
With MM. Started at the TH for Deseret Peak and took the Deseret Peak Trail to the saddle. Turned left/east and then walked south along the ridge all the way to Stan Benchmark going over 10230, 10018, 10161, and Vickory along the way. Round trip was about 17 miles with 6300' of elevation gain.
LazyJSkwires - Aug 14, 2022 9:00 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2022
Not where it seemsFour weeks ago, I tried doing this from the suggested starting point at Johnson Pass. It was hot, possibly the hottest day of the year. Thankfully some clouds rolled in around noon.
Things went well and I made it to what Google Maps, Alltrails, and the topo map I was using on Topo Maps+ at the time, Natural Atlas, said was Vickory Mountain. I trusted that these three sources wouldn't mislead me and went home.
Once I got home, I had to double check because it looked like there was an extra contour line on the next peak over according to the map on Strava. I looked around a little more and ListsofJohn and Peakbagger (I think they use CalTopo/USGS) were showing the true summit as the point I didn't get to. Sure enough, when I switched to AccuTerra Topo and Thunderforest Topo on Topo Maps they also agreed with CalTopo/USGS although it seems a little ambiguous because the wording stretches across multiple peaks on the CalTopo/USGS. AccuTerra and Thunderforest clearly show Vickory Mountain as the high point of the second, taller peak.
With this in mind, I planned to return to make sure I hit the high point. Today was that day and instead of doing the same route I wanted to change things up and come up from somewhere else. I followed Big Hollow Road up to the 4 wheeler trail that leads to the Stansbury Front Trail. There had been a massive storm the day before and things were more washed out than normal as well as absurdly muddy the entire day.
I left the trail at Hickman Pass and went up one of the spine's to the misleading summit before trekking over to what I feel is the true summit, which according to every map is taller than the other one.
If you are planning on hiking this, make sure to hit both summits just in case. And bring plenty of water
utahjimk - Apr 7, 2019 7:11 pm Date Climbed: Apr 7, 2019
spring snowshoe hikemore than 90% of hike on snowshoes, from south at Johnson Pass. With Akiko, Barb and Chris (Wasatch Mt Club hike). Huge cornices developed - this winter was a good one for snow accumulation!
apachedino - Feb 13, 2016 5:23 pm Date Climbed: Feb 3, 2016
Excellent SnowshoeWhat a great snowshoe! Breaking trail is a bit of work and unlikely to be done for you, but the views are incredible and the ridge has fine limber pine forests. I really enjoyed this gentle ridge.
scgrant - Feb 1, 2015 4:25 pm Date Climbed: Jan 29, 2015
Vickory MountainI went up the South Ridge route from Johnson Pass as is described on this page. Awesome snowshoe along the ridge. Johnson Pass is about 6500' in elevation and the route was relatively snow free and muddy up until about the 8000' mark. From there it was great snowshoeing. The valleys down below on either side of the ridge were completely socked in with fog and clouds. It made for some dramatic views looking out over the valley floors towards the other peaks in the distances. With all of the ups and downs along the ridge it ended up being over 5000 feet elevation gain and 10 miles roundtrip. Great route to do if you are looking to climb a 10,000 foot peak in the winter.
mtybumpo - Feb 5, 2012 2:28 pm Date Climbed: Feb 4, 2012
Great SnowshoeA Long day but an AWESOME ridge walk. The views are incredible the whole way!
Pfeiffer75 - May 9, 2011 4:11 pm Date Climbed: May 7, 2011
Tough ClimbParked in the wrong spot, GPS indicated we climbed total of 4464 feet elevation gain. Snow conditions were lousy, sliding with snow shoes and postholing without them. Views were excellent however. Encountered snow at 7800 feet with over 5 feet on the east face of the ridge at the summit
ZeeJay - Jul 9, 2010 5:50 pm Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2000
Long ridgeWith MM. Started at the TH for Deseret Peak and took the Deseret Peak Trail to the saddle. Turned left/east and then walked south along the ridge all the way to Stan Benchmark going over 10230, 10018, 10161, and Vickory along the way. Round trip was about 17 miles with 6300' of elevation gain.