Glenwood Mountain in Fishlake National Forest, UT

Hike Glenwood Mountain Fishlake National Forest, UT

Class 2 5.2 miles 1100 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Jul 19, 2022
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Glenwood Mountain GPX Track

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Located on the northern end of Utah's Sevier Plateau, Glenwood Mountain gets very little attention, mostly because it's overshadowed by its more prominent neighbor Monroe Peak. While Monroe Peak is a drive-up for any vehicle, Glenwood Mountain requires a bit of hiking. The peak is a worthy objective for the views and for the solitude. Getting to the trailhead requires driving along a good dirt road for miles. Glenwood Mountain is possibly more commonly known as Signal Peak, since it's labeled as such on maps and on signage along the trail, but the general summit area is labeled as Glenwood Mountain. I decided to stick with calling this peak Glenwood Mountain on my trip report for no other reason except that there are a million Signal Peaks and it's nice to have some naming variety.

I chose to take the Whooton Spring Trail, which has what seems to be a relatively newly-placed sign. However, despite the sign, the trail is hard to follow initially. I stacked a couple of cairns leading directly up the slope from the trailhead where after about 50 feet I was on the trail, surprisingly recently cleared. In fact, the main reason I was able to stick to the trail consistently was because of the presence of obvious deadfall cuts. Thanks to whoever put in the effort, since there sure were a lot of downed trees that would have otherwise been pretty tedious.

The trail led through the forest and entered an occasional small meadow, where I was fortunate to encounter incredible wildflowers. Heading generally west, the trail continued to be pretty straightforward as it entered a shallow basin and the wide ridgeline of Glenwood Mountain came into view. At around 11000', it was clear that animals have created false trails, as well as there being some misplaced cairns that lead away from the proper trail. This isn't too big of a problem though since the trail actually continues south, while I wanted to just keep ascending west anyway. Leaving the confusing trail here made sense, so I started up the slope (probably not even Class 2) and made it to the southern ridge of Glenwood Mountain. Here there were no trees and the sweeping views were very welcoming. I headed northwest and the peak came into view, an amazing wildflower field separating us.

After a half mile or so of enoying the open landscape and colorful flowers along the way, I got to the base of Glenwood Mountain and started up the very light Class 2 ridge to reach the summit. I could see the southern Sevier Plateau, the Tushar Mountains, and plenty of other central Utah peaks.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Glenwood Mountain (Signal Peak)
11226 ft
1826 rise

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Starting along the Whooton Spring Trail. Head straight up the slope and the trail will become obvious.
Starting along the Whooton Spring Trail. Head straight up the slope and the trail will become obvious.
Along the Whooton Spring Trail, recently cleared of deadfall.
Along the Whooton Spring Trail, recently cleared of deadfall.
Image 2 from gallery
One of a few small meadows I passed through.
One of a few small meadows I passed through.
Image 4 from gallery
The eastern reaches of Glenwood Mountain became visible.
The eastern reaches of Glenwood Mountain became visible.
Another meadow, this time with some intense wildflowers.
Another meadow, this time with some intense wildflowers.
Another convenient trail sign past the meadow.
Another convenient trail sign past the meadow.
The forest opened up a bit as I entered a shallow basin on Glenwood Mountain's southeast side.
The forest opened up a bit as I entered a shallow basin on Glenwood Mountain's southeast side.
Cairns help where the trail has disappeared.
Cairns help where the trail has disappeared.
My goal is to get to the ridgeline seen ahead, but I was trying to keep to the trail for as long as I could.
My goal is to get to the ridgeline seen ahead, but I was trying to keep to the trail for as long as I could.
Almost at the ridgeline.
Almost at the ridgeline.
View back after leaving the trail when it became too confusing to follow.
View back after leaving the trail when it became too confusing to follow.
Along the southern ridge of Glenwood Mountain.
Along the southern ridge of Glenwood Mountain.
View back. I came up from the far left in this photo.
View back. I came up from the far left in this photo.
Along the southern ridge, cool lighting and wildflowers.
Along the southern ridge, cool lighting and wildflowers.
Glenwood Mountain comes into view.
Glenwood Mountain comes into view.
View back at the field.
View back at the field.
Couldn't help myself, another shot of the wildflowers and Glenwood Mountain.
Couldn't help myself, another shot of the wildflowers and Glenwood Mountain.
Along the way, a shot west.
Along the way, a shot west.
Along the sweeping ridge on my way to the peak.
Along the sweeping ridge on my way to the peak.
Ascending to Glenwood Mountain's summit.
Ascending to Glenwood Mountain's summit.
A sign reading "Signal Mountain", the peak's other name.
A sign reading "Signal Mountain", the peak's other name.
View back along the southern ridge, where I just came from.
View back along the southern ridge, where I just came from.
View southwest toward Monroe Peak and the Tushars.
View southwest toward Monroe Peak and the Tushars.
View north toward the Wasatch Plateau.
View north toward the Wasatch Plateau.

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!