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Desolation Lake Trail - 2 members in 4 triplogs have rated this an average 4.5 ( 1 to 5 best )
4 triplogs
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Jul 19 2025
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 Guides 99
 Routes 1,487
 Photos 16,077
 Triplogs 1,377

male
 Joined Jan 07 2017
 Fountain Hills,
Gobblers Knob, UT 
Gobblers Knob, UT
 
Hiking avatar Jul 19 2025
DixieFlyerTriplogs 1,377
Hiking8.26 Miles 3,199 AEG
Hiking8.26 Miles   5 Hrs   12 Mns   1.74 mph
3,199 ft AEG      27 Mns Break
 
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1st trip
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This was a hike to the summit of Gobblers Knob (elevation of 10,246 feet and prominence of 1,462 feet), the high point of the Mount Olympus Wilderness Area. Gobblers Knob is in the Wasatch Mountains, about half way between Salt Lake City and Park City.

Gobblers Knob got its name back in the mining days (this area was part of the Big Cottonwood Mining District). The mines started to peter out, so the miners got the idea that they could generate some additional income by raising turkeys. The plan worked for a while, but eventually foxes and bobcats found that turkeys were good to eat, and before long the turkeys were all gone.

I ascended from the south in Big Cottonwood Canyon, and started and ended at the Butler Fork Trailhead. There is a trail all the way to the summit, although wildflowers were encroaching on the trail much of the way. It wasn't a problem though as the vegetation was benign, and on the way back it warmed up a bit and I was wishing that I had worn shorts.

It was a steep climb -- on the way up I gained about 3,200 feet of elevation in just over 4 miles, which computers to about 800 feet per mile. The first 1.5 miles were pretty steep and the last mile was brutally steep I thought.

There were nice views along the way -- wildflowers were prolific and once I gained some elevation there were really nice views of the surrounding mountains.

This was and enjoyable hike even though there were some really steep sections.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Substantial
There were LOTS of wildflowers throughout the hike

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Butler Fork Medium flow Medium flow
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Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there
 
Jul 08 2025
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 Routes 255
 Photos 8
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54 male
 Joined Feb 19 2015
 Phoenix
Brighton Lakes TrailSalt Lake, UT
Salt Lake, UT
Hiking avatar Jul 08 2025
bjonsonTriplogs 261
Hiking10.86 Miles 2,918 AEG
Hiking10.86 Miles   4 Hrs   4 Mns   2.73 mph
2,918 ft AEG      5 Mns Break
 
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1st trip
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Sep 09 2022
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 Guides 12
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42 male
 Joined Nov 30 2015
 Phoenix, AZ
Wasatch 100, UT 
Wasatch 100, UT
 
Run/Jog avatar Sep 09 2022
ShatteredArmTriplogs 356
Run/Jog100.00 Miles 23,000 AEG
Run/Jog100.00 Miles   33 Hrs   23 Mns   33 Secs3.15 mph
23,000 ft AEG   1 Hour   41 Mns Break
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Decided to try my hand at one of the oldest 100 milers, Wasatch Front, which began in 1980, and runs point-to-point through the mountains from Kaysville to Midway, UT. Didn't get as much training as I wanted due to an achilles issue in late July.

Started up Bair Canyon at 5am, conga line up a super steep trail (I think 1,500 ft the last mile). Tough way to start things out. Bad air quality. The next 12-13 miles to the Sessions Liftoff were "easy".

Sessions crest was pretty rough, it was hot up there. Great views, would be nice to see it on a clearer day. Then more ridge down to an aid station at mile 40, then up Alexander Creek in cooler shady temps with waning daylight.

At Lambs Canyon Trail, had to pull out the flashlight. Of course I think this is where the course really starts to get pretty. And also even more difficult; the climbs never ended. At Big Water TH it finally got a little frigid, but the jacket stayed on for just a short time, as it warmed up on the way up to Desolation Lake. I was actually feeling much better at this point, and had no serious doubts about finishing this thing.

Brighton was quite chilly at 3:45am. And the climb after Brighton was pretty brutal, although Lake Mary under the full moon was pretty sweet. Steep descent to aid, then a short but very, very steep ascent up to the Ant Knolls ridge. Sun started coming up at this point. Overall the night portion of this run went pretty well.

The last 20 miles was just way too long. Despite being "downhill", the trail to the Pot Hollow junction was sheer (pretty) misery, with pointless steep climbs and steep, loose descents. Couldn't win either way. Once I started the drop down to Pot Hollow (mile 85), I kicked up the effort a notch and finished pretty solidly (despite a very warm and exposed last 10 miles). Saw a pretty onery looking bull moose at around mile 88.

Was absolutely thrilled to roll into the finish, and at a somewhat reasonable time (i.e. not pushing the cutoff). Pretty sure I was working my way to actual heat illness there, but tempered my effort those last few miles just enough to only feel a little puky after finishing.
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Sep 19 2010
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 Guides 16
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83 male
 Joined Feb 13 2004
 Mesa, AZ
Desolation Lake TrailSalt Lake, UT
Salt Lake, UT
Hiking avatar Sep 19 2010
gpsjoeTriplogs 140
Hiking10.50 Miles 3,230 AEG
Hiking10.50 Miles
3,230 ft AEG
 
1st trip
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This is a 10.5 mile true loop (no stem) going up the Mill D North Fork trail to Dog Lake and circling it then going on to Desolation lake also circling it the up the Spine (all of these are popular biking trail) the going down the mountain on the steep Bear Trap Fork trail to the highway and 1.6 miles back to the starting and ending point of the hike.

It was Sunday, the weather was perfect and I had some company on the trails including a fair number of bikers. But I must say that Northern Utah is spectacular in this late September time period. See the pictures and the track. They say everything.
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average hiking speed 2.23 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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