Box Elder Peak Loop via Deer Creek in Uinta National Forest, UT

Hike Box Elder Peak Loop via Deer Creek Uinta National Forest, UT

Class 1 10.6 miles 4800 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Sep 21, 2016
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Box Elder Peak Loop via Deer Creek GPX Track

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Starting from Granite Flat, this hike heads up to the Wasatch 11er, Box Elder Peak. This Box Elder Peak shoud not be confused with the less-interesting Box Elder Peak farther north. The loop takes two scenic trails that are well-maintained, Box Elder Trail and Deer Creek Trail. I started up the Box Elder Trail first (southern bit of the loop), which led up to the base of Box Elder's southern ridge. I left the trail to avoid doing an extra mile (the trail wrapped around the southern side of Box Elder and cured back up), opting instead to gain Box Elder's southern ridgeline via a steep slope. A social trail led along the ridge to the summit, then continued north along the ridge with great views of White Baldy and the rest of the Bullion Divide, to the junction with the Deer Creek Trail on the right. This trail was really pretty with great views toward Box Elder Peak on the way down. It crosses a pretty talus field as well as the typical rolling greenery of the Wasatch.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Box Elder Peak
11101 ft
1621 rise

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Starting along the Box Elder Trail (clockwise around the loop).
Starting along the Box Elder Trail (clockwise around the loop).
Image 1 from gallery
Beautiful fall foliage.
Beautiful fall foliage.
Image 3 from gallery
View back the way I came.
View back the way I came.
Image 5 from gallery
Working up the Box Elder Trail, the rock outcropping of Box Elder's east ridge visible ahead.
Working up the Box Elder Trail, the rock outcropping of Box Elder's east ridge visible ahead.
Image 7 from gallery
The Box Elder Trail wraps around the left side and behind the hill visible in the center. At a certain point, I left the trail and gained the ridge.
The Box Elder Trail wraps around the left side and behind the hill visible in the center. At a certain point, I left the trail and gained the ridge.
Image 9 from gallery
Working around the southeast side of Box Elder Peak. This shot is looking back the way I came, Box Elder visible center.
Working around the southeast side of Box Elder Peak. This shot is looking back the way I came, Box Elder visible center.
Wrapping around the south side of Box Elder. I left the trail and headed up the ridge shortly after this (not pictured).
Wrapping around the south side of Box Elder. I left the trail and headed up the ridge shortly after this (not pictured).
Along the ridge to Box Elder Peak.
Along the ridge to Box Elder Peak.
A nice view to the east along Box Elder Peak's southern ridge.
A nice view to the east along Box Elder Peak's southern ridge.
Looking back along the ridge the way I came.
Looking back along the ridge the way I came.
Continuing up the steep south ridge to Box Elder Peak.
Continuing up the steep south ridge to Box Elder Peak.
View back the way I came, Timpanogos visible center left.
View back the way I came, Timpanogos visible center left.
Summit of Box Elder Peak, view north toward White Baldy.
Summit of Box Elder Peak, view north toward White Baldy.
White Baldy to the north.
White Baldy to the north.
Heading down the north ridge of Box Elder Peak, another shot north. Pfeifferhorn left, White Baldy tight.
Heading down the north ridge of Box Elder Peak, another shot north. Pfeifferhorn left, White Baldy tight.
Looking back up the steep forested trail on the way down from Box Elder.
Looking back up the steep forested trail on the way down from Box Elder.
Image 21 from gallery
Heading north along the Deer Creek Trail.
Heading north along the Deer Creek Trail.
Along the Deer Creek Trail, looking back toward Box Elder Peak.
Along the Deer Creek Trail, looking back toward Box Elder Peak.
Gorgeous views.
Gorgeous views.
Entering a talus field along the Deer Creek Trail.
Entering a talus field along the Deer Creek Trail.
Image 26 from gallery
Image 27 from gallery
Another shot back at Box Elder Peak.
Another shot back at Box Elder Peak.
A shot back toward the saddle I came down from, along the Deer Creek Trail
A shot back toward the saddle I came down from, along the Deer Creek Trail
Image 30 from gallery
One last shot of Box Elder as I get into the trees and head back.
One last shot of Box Elder as I get into the trees and head back.
Image 32 from gallery
Image 33 from gallery

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!