Copper Belt Peak in Fishlake National Forest, UT

Hike Copper Belt Peak Fishlake National Forest, UT

Class 2 7.2 miles 2600 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Sep 12, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Copper Belt Peak GPX Track

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The Tushar Mountains are really a spectacular little range, and I've spent a fair amount of time at this point hitting the higher peaks. I was ready to check out some of the smaller, hillier points in the range. This route hits a series of unnamed peaks on the way to Copper Belt Peak. The highest and most prominent point on this route is unnamed Peak 11673. A trail leads almost the whole way to Copper Belt Peak, which would knock this route down from Class 2. However, the little peaklets along the route are really pretty and I recommend just following the ridgeline. Even though there are much higher peaks in the area, this ridge route rests in the heart of the Tushars, so you get nice lookouts at the surrounding Delano PeakBelknap and Baldy, etc., so it's definitely one to consider.

From the Bullion Pasture Trailhead I started off-trail up the ridge to Peak 11420. I outlined the trail in blue on my attached map that shows the way to go instead if you're not interested in the bumps along the ridgeline. Assuming you do want to do the crest, after reaching Peak 11420, a steep descent continued down to meet up with the trail for a short time before I left it again to gead up to Peak 11593. I encountered an avoidable Class 2+ down climb along the way. From the top of Peak 11593, I  dropped down to the north and headed ascross a Class 2 bouldery ridgeline, which ended at the trail. I followed the trail from here, continuing generally north up to Peak 11673. The trail disappeared at this point, so I continued along the pleasant ridge until I made it to the remains of an old road. The old road continues just north of the ridge to the base of Copper Belt Peak. The route drops a significant amount of vertical gain in order to get to Copper Belt Peak, which is much lower than Peak 11673. I left the old road when it made the most sense and headed to the summit of Copper Belt Peak on its steep south slopes.

On the way, back, I just followed the trail to make my return easier. I left these sections in blue on my attached map.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Peak 11420
11420 ft
n/a rise
2
Peak 11593
11593 ft
233 rise
3
Peak 11673
11673 ft
700 rise
4
Copper Belt Peak
11383 ft
263 rise

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From the Bullion Pasture Trailhead, I headed directly up the northwest ridge of Peak 11420.
From the Bullion Pasture Trailhead, I headed directly up the northwest ridge of Peak 11420.
Peak 11420, view toward the traverse to come. I headed down along the ridge from here to get to the trail below. FYI, the colorful purple/white mountain in the center is Peak 1163. Copper Belt Peak won't become visible until I get to the summit of Peak 1163 since it's significantly lower.
Peak 11420, view toward the traverse to come. I headed down along the ridge from here to get to the trail below. FYI, the colorful purple/white mountain in the center is Peak 1163. Copper Belt Peak won't become visible until I get to the summit of Peak 1163 since it's significantly lower.
Close-up as I descend from Peak 11420. Even though this photo is blurry, you can see the trail below left of center.
Close-up as I descend from Peak 11420. Even though this photo is blurry, you can see the trail below left of center.
Along the trail, view back toward Peak 11420 (far left).
Along the trail, view back toward Peak 11420 (far left).
Along the trail, avoiding a rock outcrop. I left the trail shortly after this point to head up to the bump visible left of center. It required some Class 2+, but you could also just skip the bump.
Along the trail, avoiding a rock outcrop. I left the trail shortly after this point to head up to the bump visible left of center. It required some Class 2+, but you could also just skip the bump.
Class 2 along the ridge crest, avoidable.
Class 2 along the ridge crest, avoidable.
View back the way I came from the bump. Peak 11420 far left. Mount Baldy (center) and Mount Belknap (right) also visible.
View back the way I came from the bump. Peak 11420 far left. Mount Baldy (center) and Mount Belknap (right) also visible.
Peak 11593 top right, seen from the bump. Class 2+ to get down from the bump, avoidable.
Peak 11593 top right, seen from the bump. Class 2+ to get down from the bump, avoidable.
Close-up toward Mount Belknap and Gold Mountain, plus a cute little pond below. You can see the trail I'll be returning on next to the pond.
Close-up toward Mount Belknap and Gold Mountain, plus a cute little pond below. You can see the trail I'll be returning on next to the pond.
Ascending to Peak 11593.
Ascending to Peak 11593.
Peak 11593, view south toward Delano and Brigham.
Peak 11593, view south toward Delano and Brigham.
Onward from Peak 11593 to Peak 11635, right of center.
Onward from Peak 11593 to Peak 11635, right of center.
Along the ridge crest, some Class 2.
Along the ridge crest, some Class 2.
View back toward Peak 11593 past the Class 2.
View back toward Peak 11593 past the Class 2.
Back on the trail, which I'd follow the rest of the way. This is a view toward Belknap and Baldy.
Back on the trail, which I'd follow the rest of the way. This is a view toward Belknap and Baldy.
Along the trail, headed toward Peak 11673.
Along the trail, headed toward Peak 11673.
Image 16 from gallery
View back along the ridge toward Peak 11593, center.
View back along the ridge toward Peak 11593, center.
Summit of Peak 11673, view northeast toward Copper Belt Peak, center.
Summit of Peak 11673, view northeast toward Copper Belt Peak, center.
View toward Belknap and Baldy.
View toward Belknap and Baldy.
Along the ridge, following the trail when available.
Along the ridge, following the trail when available.
View back toward Peak 11673. A road wraps around the peak. It will be tempting to follow it on the way back, but don't - it descends away from the ridge.
View back toward Peak 11673. A road wraps around the peak. It will be tempting to follow it on the way back, but don't - it descends away from the ridge.
Continuing my descent to the base of Copper Belt Peak, visible right of center.
Continuing my descent to the base of Copper Belt Peak, visible right of center.
View back along the ridge again, where I picked up the old road, which took me to the base of Copper Belt Peak.
View back along the ridge again, where I picked up the old road, which took me to the base of Copper Belt Peak.
Copper Belt Peak ahead.
Copper Belt Peak ahead.
Close-up of Copper Belt Peak. I left the old road and ascended to the summit by reaching the low point on the ridge in the center of this photo.
Close-up of Copper Belt Peak. I left the old road and ascended to the summit by reaching the low point on the ridge in the center of this photo.
Just below the summit of Copper Belt Peak, a view back along the ridge after leaving the road (visible below).
Just below the summit of Copper Belt Peak, a view back along the ridge after leaving the road (visible below).
Copper Belt Peak, view northeast.
Copper Belt Peak, view northeast.
Copper Belt Peak, view northwest toward Gold Mountain.
Copper Belt Peak, view northwest toward Gold Mountain.
Along the trail on my way back. The ridgeline I traversed is out of frame on the left.
Along the trail on my way back. The ridgeline I traversed is out of frame on the left.
A shot along the trail on the way back with nice lighting.
A shot along the trail on the way back with nice lighting.

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