Hike Onaqui Benchmark Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, UT

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Onaqui Benchmark GPX Track

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Onaqui Benchmark might sound like it belongs in the Onaqui Mountains, but it’s actually part of the Stansbury Range, home to the much more famous and ultra-prominent Deseret Peak. Being a prominent summit itself, Onaqui Benchmark had some excellent views and, despite involving some light bushwhacking and a steep slope ascent, was a great peak.

I started out on the West Canyon ATV Trail, which you can reach in pretty much any car. The road/trail wound through sagebrush and juniper at the foot of the Stansburys. Well marked and ascending at a gradual grade, I was enjoying myself and thrilled to see so many blooming flowers lining the trail.

After a few miles, the ATV track wiggled around for a bit and then abruptly ended at the steep southern slope of Onaqui Benchmark. From there, it was a full off-trail effort. I started up a wide drainage choked with knee-high plants and some embedded boulders. It wasn’t bad at all, but I kept half an eye out for anything slithery that might be lurking under the greenery. Thankfully, the dense vegetation only lasted about a quarter mile.

From there, I tackled a steep grassy slope to reach the southeast spur ridge. Continuing steeply, this spur ridge required I scramble up a short Class 2 section to pop onto the south ridge proper of Onaqui Benchmark. The ridge was then a straightforward stroll, with just a few little dips before reaching the summit. The views stretched forever, Deseret Peak and its rugged ridgeline to the south, the shimmering Great Salt Lake to the north.

I should note that I descended via the ridgeline just south of the ascent drainage, but it was steep and rocky and a fair amount more effort so I left it out of my attached map.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Onaqui Benchmark

9146 ft

1413 rise

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Starting along the West Canyon ATV Trail.

View back toward the trailhead.

Onaqui Benchmark is up there somewhere.

I was thrilled to see so many wildflowers along the West Canyon ATV Trail.

Nearing the steep southern slope of Onaqui Benchmark.

I ascended the drainage in the center, not quite visible yet.

The West Canyon Trail bent north and headed up the drainage, but did not last for long.

Tall plants and embedded boulders up the canyon.

View back after the West Canyon ATV Trail ended.

Ascending the slope to gain a ridgeline above.

View back down the slope as I neared the southeast spur ridge.

Desert Peak to the south.

Steep hike up the ridgeline.

Another shot back. I came from the slope in the center of this phoot.

Class 2 ahead to gain the south ridge of Onaqui Benchmark.

Straightforward hiking to the summit from here, with a couple of small dips.

Nearly at the summit of Onaqui Benchmark, view south.

Onaqui Benchmark summit, view south toward Desert Peak and the Stansbury Mountains.

Summit of Onaqui Benchmark, view north toward the Great Salt Lake.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!