Flat Top Mountain in Wasatch-Cache National Forest, UT

Hike Flat Top Mountain Wasatch-Cache National Forest, UT

Class 2 11.5 miles 4200 gain 5-7 hrs Out + Back Oct 4, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Flat Top Mountain is the high point of the Oquirrh Mountains, and an ultra-prominent peak in Utah. Despite its proximity to Salt Lake City, it took me this long to hike it because the route requires getting permission from the landowner to access the summit and I hate dealing with getting permission to go hiking. I knew it was a peak I had to do at some point, and Weston Ault (the landowner) was very nice and gave me permission quickly. His email is aultw [at] msn [dot] com. Assuming you get permission, the drive to the trailhead is fine for any vehicle. 4WD vehicles can make it all the way up to here: 40.35249, -112.21685, but I wasn't willing to risk it. The road was in overall decent shape except for a few rough spots.

I hiked along the road from the trailhead up to the 4WD parking area, where I expected to find a bushwhack, but in fact a well-defined trail switchbacked up the slopes. I got a few minor scratches, but it's a great little trail. I added a couple of cairns where the switchbacks weren't as clear, so just pay attention and if you're not on a really well-defined trail, you're off-route. Once above the switchbacks, the trail continued along the slopes, mostly avoiding the hilly ridgeline by staying on the north side and instead forming big switchbacks to avoid excessive steepness. At one point, the trail enters a forest and passes "No Trespassing" signs, which I assume is the spot where the permission to access the route was required. The trail emerges from the woods on the west ridge of Lewiston Peak, and continues more steeply with a couple of small Class 2 sections. The trail actually skirts Lewiston Peak on its northwest slope, but a social trail continues away from the main trail and up to this minor summit. I read somewhere that Lewiston Peak required a bushwhack, but I encountered no brush. The social trail continued steeply and brush-free down on Lewiston Peak's north side and back to the main trail.

I continued along the ridge up to Flat Top Mountain, only a short Class 2 talus field serving as an obstacle. The views were nice from Flat Top Mountain's summit, despite the wildfire smoke.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Lewiston Peak
10411 ft
211 rise
2
Flat Top Mountain
10620 ft
5370 rise

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Starting out from the trailhead along the rougher road.
Starting out from the trailhead along the rougher road.
Looking back toward the trailhead (right).
Looking back toward the trailhead (right).
Image 2 from gallery
Looking back, Bald Mountain East visible center.
Looking back, Bald Mountain East visible center.
Image 4 from gallery
Image 5 from gallery
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Image 7 from gallery
Approaching the 4WD trailhead. The trail leads up the slope on the right.
Approaching the 4WD trailhead. The trail leads up the slope on the right.
On the trail, looking back to the 4WD parking clearing (right of center).
On the trail, looking back to the 4WD parking clearing (right of center).
Slightly brushy, but very good trail.
Slightly brushy, but very good trail.
Image 11 from gallery
Looking back, the 4WD parking clearing visible on the right.
Looking back, the 4WD parking clearing visible on the right.
4WD parking clearing visible bottom left. Bald Mountain East visible top right. The road from the lower trailhead came up from near the center of this photo.
4WD parking clearing visible bottom left. Bald Mountain East visible top right. The road from the lower trailhead came up from near the center of this photo.
Once the switchbacks finished making their way up the slope, I headed along the ridge. The trail barely stayed on the ridge, instead making big switchbacks on the slopes on the north (left) side of the ridge crest.
Once the switchbacks finished making their way up the slope, I headed along the ridge. The trail barely stayed on the ridge, instead making big switchbacks on the slopes on the north (left) side of the ridge crest.
Image 15 from gallery
Looking back, the road I hiked up on somewhere in the trees on the right.
Looking back, the road I hiked up on somewhere in the trees on the right.
The trail enters the forest.
The trail enters the forest.
Image 18 from gallery
No trespassing signs. Make sure you get permission from the landowner.
No trespassing signs. Make sure you get permission from the landowner.
The trail leads up to the ridge crest, seen here. It continues ahead, along the ridge.
The trail leads up to the ridge crest, seen here. It continues ahead, along the ridge.
Looking back along the ridge.
Looking back along the ridge.
Image 22 from gallery
Lewiston Peak visible ahead.
Lewiston Peak visible ahead.
Just below the summit of Lewiston Peak, looking back along the ridge. Bald Mountain East visible top right.
Just below the summit of Lewiston Peak, looking back along the ridge. Bald Mountain East visible top right.
Lewiston Peak, view south.
Lewiston Peak, view south.
Lewiston Peak, view north toward Flat Top Mountain.
Lewiston Peak, view north toward Flat Top Mountain.
Back on the main trail after descending from Lewiston Peak, heading to Flat Top Mountain.
Back on the main trail after descending from Lewiston Peak, heading to Flat Top Mountain.
Looking back along the ridge, Lewiston Peak visible top left.
Looking back along the ridge, Lewiston Peak visible top left.
More progress toward Flat Top Mountain, Lewiston Peak and the ridge I've been following visible on the left.
More progress toward Flat Top Mountain, Lewiston Peak and the ridge I've been following visible on the left.
Flat Top Mountain ahead.
Flat Top Mountain ahead.
Minor Class 2 talus field (likely avoidable on the left).
Minor Class 2 talus field (likely avoidable on the left).
Just below the Flat Top Mountain summit, view back along the ridge. Lewiston Peak visible on the left.
Just below the Flat Top Mountain summit, view back along the ridge. Lewiston Peak visible on the left.
Flat Top Mountain summit.
Flat Top Mountain summit.
Flat Top Mountain summit.
Flat Top Mountain summit.
Flat Top Mountain summit, view toward Bald Mountain East.
Flat Top Mountain summit, view toward Bald Mountain East.

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