Delano Peak and Mount Brigham via Bullion Falls in Fishlake National Forest, UT

Hike Delano Peak and Mount Brigham via Bullion Falls Fishlake National Forest, UT

Class 2 16.2 miles 6200 gain 9-12 hrs Loop Jul 19, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Delano Peak and Mount Brigham via Bullion Falls GPX Track

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I discovered the wonders of the Tushar Mountains a few years ago, and I have since made many trips to the area. I thought it was time to plan a particularly interesting route to bag the last of the high peaks in the range that I honestly have been very excited to do. This route takes a lesser-used approach to the high peaks, avoiding the somewhat crowded ATV roads used for the standard Delano Peak approaches. It ended up being my favorite hike in the Tushars. This much more interesting route includes Mount Brigham and some other bumps along the ridge from Delano to Brigham. You could knock off 5+ miles off this loop by setting up a shuttle along Wedge Road (the road used for the descent), which was passable by 2WD. The approach road to the trailhead was great as well. I should also mention that if the goal is just bag the peaks then this is not an efficient route, but it does get you into some of the most gorgeous mountain scenery I think Utah has to offer. You could also *cheat* and do this route from top down if you set up the shuttle, reducing the vertical gain by a few thousand feet.

Matt and I started along the Bullion Canyon Trail (074). The hike begins as an ATV road before reaching the official trailhead, a popular hike to Bullion Falls. A quick detour to Bullion Falls is worth the minor effort. The trail then narrows and climbs steeply to get above the cliffs surrounding Bullion Falls. After some pretty meadow walking, we reached a junction with Trail 072. Taking this (left) would be a steep, straight shot up to Delano Peak, but we wanted to continue up Bullion Canyon, our goal being to enjoy the unique Tushar colors and meadows. Ultimately we were really happy we did (see photos). The trail followed Pine Creek toward the Bullion Pasture Trailhead at the head of the creek, but we wouldn't be going that far. I should note that there was a section that the trail completely disappeared (marked on attached map), but it was short-lived and soon we met up with another junction. Here, we turned left onto The Pocket Trail (216). This trail passed through some forest before opening up into incredible views of the colorful cliffs along Delano Peak's eastern face. Initially, I wanted to continue along this trail all the way up to Delano Peak, traversing underneath a feature known as The Pocket. However, we noted this would be very slow since the trail weaved around the base of the cliffs, and would likely be less pretty than just ascending to the ridge early. While I am super happy we did this, I should note that the ridge we ascended was Class 2+ loose scree, the sort of stuff you'd find on nearby iconic Mount Belknap. Continuing along the Pocket Trail would be a trail to the summit of Delano Peak, but we were ready to change it up. I marked the spot we left the trail on my map. This ridge offered the most incredible views of the Tushars I'd seen to date. Behind us were the green and purple bluffs that sloped up to the Copper Belt Peak ridgeline, and as we got higher, Belknap and Baldy became prominent features. Additionally, we could see down Bullion Canyon where we had hiked up, as well as the eastern cliffs of Delano. Stunning stuff.

Once above the Class 2+ scree, we were greeted by the unique and incredible tundra that we would follow for a long time to the summit of Delano Peak. It was bliss. Delano Peak had its usual crowd, and some asshole seems to have recently illegally driven at ATV to the summit, leaving tire marks. We were glad we had spent so much time on a less popular trail, but we took in the views from Delano all the same.

From Delano Peak, we dropped off its eastern ridge and joined up with trail 224 (the trail we would have used to ascend Delano had we continued along The Pocket Traill earlier). Our trail time here was short-lived. We left it to ascend to Delano Peak – East on steep grassy tundra. Mount Holly's cliffs were an interesting sight from this angle. The sweeping ridgeline continued over to Delano – Brigham Ridge Peak, which involved some minor Class 2 on both its ascent and descent. A social trail led us down past some trees and along the undulating ridge to a trailhead labeled Alunite Ridge Trailhead, which doesn't seem often used. Our final ascent to Mount Brigham included some light Class 2 on a steep slope, and the descent from Mount Brigham down to Wedge Road was steep, but uneventful. The road walk down back to the trailhead isn't interesting.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Delano Peak
12169 ft
4689 rise
2
Delano Peak-East Peak
12040 ft
280 rise
3
Delano-Brigham Ridge Peak
12002 ft
362 rise
4
Mount Brigham
11757 ft
517 rise
5
Edna Peak
11640 ft
40 rise

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Bullion Falls Trail starts along the ATV road on the right.
Bullion Falls Trail starts along the ATV road on the right.
Passing some cabin ruin.
Passing some cabin ruin.
Official trialhead for Bullion Falls.
Official trialhead for Bullion Falls.
Detour to Bullion Falls.
Detour to Bullion Falls.
Past Bullion Falls, where the trail gets narrower, steeper, and much less traveled.
Past Bullion Falls, where the trail gets narrower, steeper, and much less traveled.
The trail leads above Bullion Falls (bottom left out of frame).
The trail leads above Bullion Falls (bottom left out of frame).
Looking back down Bullion Canyon as we work out way up the trail.
Looking back down Bullion Canyon as we work out way up the trail.
Image 7 from gallery
Some meadows along the pretty trail.
Some meadows along the pretty trail.
Junction with Trail 072. Left would lead steeply along a trail to Delano Peak (a shortcut), while we took a right and headed along the Bullion Pasture Trail.
Junction with Trail 072. Left would lead steeply along a trail to Delano Peak (a shortcut), while we took a right and headed along the Bullion Pasture Trail.
Passing some old cabin ruins.
Passing some old cabin ruins.
Image 11 from gallery
Image 12 from gallery
The trail ascends for a long time through pretty meadows and forest.
The trail ascends for a long time through pretty meadows and forest.
Looking back along the trail, Mount Brigham or one of its sub-peaks visible above Matt.
Looking back along the trail, Mount Brigham or one of its sub-peaks visible above Matt.
Image 15 from gallery
Image 16 from gallery
The trail disappears for a short time.
The trail disappears for a short time.
And then the trail becomes obvious again. My recommendation is just to stick to Bullion Creek and you'll stumble back on the trail.
And then the trail becomes obvious again. My recommendation is just to stick to Bullion Creek and you'll stumble back on the trail.
Bullion Pasture Trail continues west. We thought for a bit maybe we were going the wrong way, but soon we would reach a junction.
Bullion Pasture Trail continues west. We thought for a bit maybe we were going the wrong way, but soon we would reach a junction.
Junction with The Pocket Trail, which we took. The trail led us back east.
Junction with The Pocket Trail, which we took. The trail led us back east.
Views to the north as we ascended The Pocket Trail.
Views to the north as we ascended The Pocket Trail.
The Pocket Trail switchbacks through the forest for a bit.
The Pocket Trail switchbacks through the forest for a bit.
And then The Pocket Trail emerges from the forest and overlooks this incredible vista. The feature known as "The Pocket" is just out of view behind the trees ahead. The Pocket Trail continues toward those trees, but we instead ascended the ridge on the right.
And then The Pocket Trail emerges from the forest and overlooks this incredible vista. The feature known as "The Pocket" is just out of view behind the trees ahead. The Pocket Trail continues toward those trees, but we instead ascended the ridge on the right.
Continuing away from The Pocket Trail, ascending the ridge.
Continuing away from The Pocket Trail, ascending the ridge.
Our route became a bit more steep as we ascended to the scree slope.
Our route became a bit more steep as we ascended to the scree slope.
Views back to the north, wow.
Views back to the north, wow.
Looking back along the ridge we were ascending. Bullion Canyon (the trail we took) visible center right.
Looking back along the ridge we were ascending. Bullion Canyon (the trail we took) visible center right.
Image 28 from gallery
Looking toward Mount Brigham (center), Bullion Canyon (left), and the tip of The Pocket (right).
Looking toward Mount Brigham (center), Bullion Canyon (left), and the tip of The Pocket (right).
Image 30 from gallery
Image 31 from gallery
Class 2+ ascent.
Class 2+ ascent.
Halfway point up the scree, some more steep stuff to come.
Halfway point up the scree, some more steep stuff to come.
Looking back down the ridge, Mount Brigham visible top right, Bullion Canyon center.
Looking back down the ridge, Mount Brigham visible top right, Bullion Canyon center.
Close-up of Matt on the ridge ascent.
Close-up of Matt on the ridge ascent.
Final bit of screen to the top of the Class 2+ ridge.
Final bit of screen to the top of the Class 2+ ridge.
Top of the ridge, view south toward Delano Peak.
Top of the ridge, view south toward Delano Peak.
Matt finishing the ascent of the ridge. Mount Brigham visible top right, Bullion Canyon just behind Matt.
Matt finishing the ascent of the ridge. Mount Brigham visible top right, Bullion Canyon just behind Matt.
A view down into The Pocket. It's pretty, but we were happy to see it from above rather than follow the trail. For reference, The Pocket Trail (had we stayed on it rather than ascend the Class 2+ ridge) would have taken us along the treeline below.
A view down into The Pocket. It's pretty, but we were happy to see it from above rather than follow the trail. For reference, The Pocket Trail (had we stayed on it rather than ascend the Class 2+ ridge) would have taken us along the treeline below.
Taking in the views before hiking along the ridge to Delano Peak.
Taking in the views before hiking along the ridge to Delano Peak.
Views toward Mount Belknap and Mount Baldy.
Views toward Mount Belknap and Mount Baldy.
Looking back as we continue to Delano Peak.
Looking back as we continue to Delano Peak.
Another shot toward Belknap and Baldy.
Another shot toward Belknap and Baldy.
Delano Peak ahead.
Delano Peak ahead.
Incredible sweeping views.
Incredible sweeping views.
Delano Peak on the right.
Delano Peak on the right.
Image 47 from gallery
Image 48 from gallery
Final ascent to Delano Peak.
Final ascent to Delano Peak.
Looking back, Belknap and Baldy above.
Looking back, Belknap and Baldy above.
Image 51 from gallery
Delano Peak summit.
Delano Peak summit.
Dropping down from Delano Peak toward Delano Peak - East (right), followed by Delano - Brigham Ridge Peak (left top).
Dropping down from Delano Peak toward Delano Peak - East (right), followed by Delano - Brigham Ridge Peak (left top).
Looking back toward Delano Peak.
Looking back toward Delano Peak.
Delano, Baldy, Belknap (left to right).
Delano, Baldy, Belknap (left to right).
Summit of Delano Peak - East, view toward Mount Holly.
Summit of Delano Peak - East, view toward Mount Holly.
Image 57 from gallery
Continuing to Delano - Brigham Ridge Peak.
Continuing to Delano - Brigham Ridge Peak.
Close-up toward the crazy colors, the Class 2+ ridge we ascended visible on the left.
Close-up toward the crazy colors, the Class 2+ ridge we ascended visible on the left.
Looking back toward Delano Peak as we ascend Delano - Brigham Ridge Peak. You can also see the Class 2+ ridge we ascended center right, just below Mount Baldy.
Looking back toward Delano Peak as we ascend Delano - Brigham Ridge Peak. You can also see the Class 2+ ridge we ascended center right, just below Mount Baldy.
Continuing down from Delano - Brigham Ridge Peak.
Continuing down from Delano - Brigham Ridge Peak.
Some Class 2 on the way down from Delano - Brigham Ridge Peak.
Some Class 2 on the way down from Delano - Brigham Ridge Peak.
Mount Brigham ahead. A social trail led through the foret.
Mount Brigham ahead. A social trail led through the foret.
Looking back as we ascend a minor bump on the way to Mount Brigham.
Looking back as we ascend a minor bump on the way to Mount Brigham.
Mount Brigham ahead, the Alunite Ridge Trailhead visible center. We would pass by it on our way up Brigham.
Mount Brigham ahead, the Alunite Ridge Trailhead visible center. We would pass by it on our way up Brigham.
Ascending Mount Brigham, some light Class 2.
Ascending Mount Brigham, some light Class 2.
Looking back as we get higher on Mount Brigham.
Looking back as we get higher on Mount Brigham.
Mount Brigham summit ahead.
Mount Brigham summit ahead.
Looking back toward Mount Brigham.
Looking back toward Mount Brigham.
Descending from Mount Brigham toward Wedge Road. You can see a car in the center.
Descending from Mount Brigham toward Wedge Road. You can see a car in the center.
Long and uneventful road walk back down.
Long and uneventful road walk back down.

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