Lone Peak Wilderness

The largest of a trio of wilderness areas just southeast of Salt Lake City, the Lone Peak Wilderness contains very rugged terrain with narrow canyons and high peaks. It lies on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest and is managed by the Salt Lake and Pleasant Grove Ranger Districts. Among the highest peaks are the Little Matterhorn at 11,326 feet and Lone Peak at 11,253 feet, where snow often remains until midsummer. Much of the higher elevation is alpine, with large, open cirque basins and exposed rocky ridges. The region is geologically complex: sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rock formations stand in dramatic relief, with colorful bands stretching for great distances across mountainsides, and a few small lakes add to the scenic beauty. Douglas fir, subalpine fir, and aspen grow in isolated patches on north-facing slopes, while dense mountain brush and grass dominate the lower altitudes. State Highway 92 follows American Fork Canyon and, with a short stretch of State Highway 144, forms the southern-southeastern boundary and provides access to trailheads and campgrounds. State Highway 210, along Little Cottonwood Creek Canyon, also provides access and forms the northern boundary, separating Lone Peak from Twin Peaks Wilderness just to the north. Several of the trails are easy to follow, but many require advanced navigation and route-finding skills. There are about 6 system trails totaling approximately 14 miles on the Salt Lake Ranger District side and 8 system trails totaling approximately 32 miles on the Pleasant Grove Ranger District side. Many people from the Salt Lake City area visit this Wilderness all year long.