Box Elder Peak Loop via Deer Creek

Uinta National Forest, UT Central Wasatch Mountains

Trip stats

Distance
10.6 mi
Net Gain
4,800 ft
Time
4-6 hrs
YDS Rating
Class 1
Route
Loop
Peaks
1

Ratings out of 10

Effort
5.6/10
Personality
5/10
Beauty
7/10
Solitude
4.1/10
What do these mean? →

Peaks on this hike

Summits listed in route order

  1. Box Elder Peak
    11,101′ elevation · 1,621′ prominence

Route map + Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates

40.490576, -111.655376

The directions link below drops a pin on the trailhead coordinates and lets Google Maps pick the route. If the drive has rough roads or access issues that GPS nav might get wrong, I cover that in my trip report.

Get directions (opens Google Maps in a new tab)

Trip report

Sep 21, 2016 — 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.

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Photos

34 photos

  1. Starting along the Box Elder Trail (clockwise around the loop).
  3. Beautiful fall foliage.
  5. View back the way I came.
  7. Working up the Box Elder Trail, the rock outcropping of Box Elder's east ridge visible ahead.
  9. 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.
  11. Working around the southeast side of Box Elder Peak. This shot is looking back the way I came, Box Elder visible center.
  12. Wrapping around the south side of Box Elder. I left the trail and headed up the ridge shortly after this (not pictured).
  13. Along the ridge to Box Elder Peak.
  14. A nice view to the east along Box Elder Peak's southern ridge.
  15. Looking back along the ridge the way I came.
  16. Continuing up the steep south ridge to Box Elder Peak.
  17. View back the way I came, Timpanogos visible center left.
  18. Summit of Box Elder Peak, view north toward White Baldy.
  19. White Baldy to the north.
  20. Heading down the north ridge of Box Elder Peak, another shot north. Pfeifferhorn left, White Baldy tight.
  21. Looking back up the steep forested trail on the way down from Box Elder.
  23. Heading north along the Deer Creek Trail.
  24. Along the Deer Creek Trail, looking back toward Box Elder Peak.
  25. Gorgeous views.
  26. Entering a talus field along the Deer Creek Trail.
  29. Another shot back at Box Elder Peak.
  30. A shot back toward the saddle I came down from, along the Deer Creek Trail
  32. One last shot of Box Elder as I get into the trees and head back.

Photo 1 of 1

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Hire or refer me as a web developer, or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so it's funded by yours truly. It also takes a ton of work to edit photos and write these reports. I really appreciate it!

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