Fool Creek Peak in Fishlake National Forest, UT

Hike Fool Creek Peak Fishlake National Forest, UT

Class 1 6.4 miles 3000 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Jul 15, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Fool Creek Peak GPX Track

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Fool Creek Peak is the high point of the Canyon Mountains in Central Utah. There are two trailheads most commonly used to reach the summit. Both options meet at the saddle just west of the peak, meaning the second half of the hike would be the same regardless of trailhead choice. I chose the southern route up North Walker Canyon because it seemed more easily accessed with my car via Oak Creek Canyon Road, but I'm not sure. I noted from the saddle looking north that the northern approach option seemed less pretty than the one I took. The last mile or so to my chosen trailhead was pretty rough, but my Subaru made it.

The trail begins along an overgrown ATV trail, then narrows into the singletrack Buck Hollow Trail as it heads up North Walker Canyon. The trail is easy to follow, but quite overgrown and has some downed burned trees as obstacles. The trail gets to the saddle separating Buck Peak from Fool Creek Peak, and a social trail continues east, some cairns marking the way. The last thousand feet of vertical gain or so goes through a severely burned area, and the trail is not easy to follow, but I stuck to near the ridge crest whenever I lost the trail and I kept finding it. I had better luck on the way down keeping to the trail. A few short switchbacks led to Fool Creek Peak, and the views are nice from the cliffy summit.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Fool Creek Peak
9712 ft
3712 rise

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Starting at the trailhead, which is actually just a sign that reads something similar to "ATVs only".
Starting at the trailhead, which is actually just a sign that reads something similar to "ATVs only".
Along the old ATV tracks.
Along the old ATV tracks.
The ATV track fades away and becomes a trail as the route heads up  a drainage.
The ATV track fades away and becomes a trail as the route heads up a drainage.
Working toward the saddle ahead to the north.
Working toward the saddle ahead to the north.
View back the way I came.
View back the way I came.
Image 5 from gallery
Image 6 from gallery
The trail is easy to follow, but sometimes faint.
The trail is easy to follow, but sometimes faint.
The trail joins with an absurdly old road that leads to the saddle between Fool Creek Peak and Buck Peak.
The trail joins with an absurdly old road that leads to the saddle between Fool Creek Peak and Buck Peak.
View from the saddle looking south the way I came up.
View from the saddle looking south the way I came up.
View from the saddle looking north toward the alternate approach route. I think the way I came seems prettier.
View from the saddle looking north toward the alternate approach route. I think the way I came seems prettier.
View east as I head up the ridge toward Fool Creek Peak.
View east as I head up the ridge toward Fool Creek Peak.
Image 12 from gallery
Fool Creek Peak ahead.
Fool Creek Peak ahead.
Image 14 from gallery
Burned forest makes the trail hard to follow at points.
Burned forest makes the trail hard to follow at points.
Fool Creek Peak peeking through the burned trees.
Fool Creek Peak peeking through the burned trees.
View back the way I came.
View back the way I came.
Fool Creek Peak ahead.
Fool Creek Peak ahead.
Another view back the way I came, the trail becoming more obvious toward the summit.
Another view back the way I came, the trail becoming more obvious toward the summit.
There were a few switchbacks and then the summit came into view.
There were a few switchbacks and then the summit came into view.
Fool Creek Peak summit, view west toward the way I came. Buck Peak on the far right, the canyon I drove in on (Oak Creek Canyon Road) visible on the left.
Fool Creek Peak summit, view west toward the way I came. Buck Peak on the far right, the canyon I drove in on (Oak Creek Canyon Road) visible on the left.
Fool Creek Peak, view south.
Fool Creek Peak, view south.
Fool Creek Peak, view north.
Fool Creek Peak, view north.

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!