| |
| Shingle Mill Peak via Rock Canyon, UT | |
|
| | Shingle Mill Peak via Rock Canyon, UT | | | |
|
|
Shingle Mill Peak via Rock Canyon, UT
| | |
|
| Hiking | 17.75 Miles |
6,177 AEG |
| | Hiking | 17.75 Miles | | | |
| 6,177 ft AEG | | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | The Rock Canyon trailhead is a popular access point to the Wasatch Mountains, as it is very easily accessible. The trailhead is currently undergoing a major makeover and is closed. Signs reroute parking to a long way away, even though (I learned later on my return when it was light) that there are still 40+ parking spaces right outside the closed area. So ... I ended up hiking an extra .7 up through the neighborhood where I parked.
On to the hike ....
Rock Canyon trail goes up a long-closed road. As a result, the grade is steady, but still gets the heart pumping right out of the gate.
In first few miles, there are two, spring-fed water fountains, with ice-cold water!
Crossing around 5 bridges (over dry creekbeds this time of year), I passed the turn off to Khyv Peak (formerly Squaw Peak), which is the primary destination for those looking for a solid, but much shorter climb, to a great view of Utah Valley.
Continuing on past this turnoff, I entered new (to me) territory. I didn't see much in the early morning darkness, hikingy by headlamp, but on the return saw this area include nice forest area with great fall colors (though I missed prime time by about a week or so).
About 3-4 miles in, the trail passes through a campground. Here, my gps track was useful to keep me on the right track, which briefly follows the road through the campground. At the edge of the campground, a sign on gated side road points up the road to the turn off back to the trail. If not paying attention, this turn off could be missed.
After the turn off, the trail reenters the forest. About a mile later, it crosses Squaw Peak Road (apparently the road's name did not change with the peak).
Navigation is pretty straighforward from there, crossing an avalanche zone, which snapped off dozens of mature aspens.
As you climb, the trail make a few lengthy switchbacks, as it crosses a "terrace zone," with distinctive terraces that were (I think) constructed in the CCC days to assist with avalanche concerns(?)
As you reach the turn onto the last long switchback, you crest the Wasatch divide, opening up all of the eastern views, as well as views of Mt. Timpanogos to the north.
Unlike the rest of the hike, this switchback is largely flat, contouring across the base of Shingle Mill Peak to a saddle on the south side from which the final ascent can be made. On this traverse, you can look up and see the distinctive summit cairn for your destination (as I realized on the return).
The final approach is a bit of a scramble and the route is less clear, but no bushwhacking is required.
The summit provides incredible views!
On the way down, I toyed with going for a double and summiting the nearby Freedom Peak. Unlike Shingle Mill, the trail peters out on the ridgeline ascent and gets quite exposed and a little technical. I opted to turn back about 350 vertical feet from the summit when I encountered a mountain goat, who looked at me with a clear message: you're not prepared to handle this exposure on a solo trip.
I heeded his wise counsel and will return another day!.
The trip back down was uneventful, and I enjoyed the views of what I missed on the dark ascent.
Didn't see a soul until the final couple of miles on the return.
This is a butt-kicker hike with nearly 6,000 feet aeg (sans the side trip to Freedom Peak). Another worthy hike in the Wasatch Range! |
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
