Hike Keg Mountain Thomas Range BLM, UT

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Jun 9, 2023 — Keg Mountain is a high-prominence peak in Utah's West Desert, pretty much as isolated as peaks get out here. It's a pretty drab mountain since it's mostly covered by brush, but does have some cool rock features within the drainage I hiked up and decent views from the summit. Head north here (39.71702, -112.85901), passable by any vehicle. Veer right here (39.76306, -112.87750), where the road now requires a Crossover or greater, plus some care to avoid big boulders hugging the road.

I followed an ATV road east, leading to the mouth of a drainage. Aside from zig-zagging to avoid some low limbs, this drainage worked really well. As it bent north, more rocky features were introduced and even some Class 2 scrambling and a dryfall bypass. The drainage then became significantly more steep, now less of a drainage and more just a slope, loose sand forcing me to crawl a bit at points. A few hundred feet of this and then the slope became a lot more tame, a dirt gully/slope hybrid that took me to the top where I got a view of Keg Mountain.

From here it was just a tree-dodging hike on a mellow slope to gain the summit. Along the way were a couple of short Class 2 rock clusters. There are openings within the trees that allow for a nice view to the west, especially at the summit. For the second time today, thunder chased me down from the peak. In fact, I think it was the same storm that passed by me earlier on my previous peak and it had now caught up.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Keg Mountain

7305 ft

2205 rise

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Along the ATV trail. Keg Mountain seen top left.

ATV trail leading through brushy terrain.

The ATV trail ended and I headed up this drainage.

Some light Class 2 and tree-dodging.

View back at my progress up the drainage. Here I just bypassed a dryfall.

Ascending within the drainage.

Just a view at some of the cool rock formations on the sides of the drainage.

Narrowing portion of the drainage.

View back at some Class 2 rock-hopping.

The drainage steepens to a slope, no longer really resembling a drainage.

View back as I ascend the steep slope, often crawling since the ground was loose.

Then the slope become more tame and led me to the top.

Above the slope, a view toward Keg Mountain.

Some light Class 2 along the ridge to Keg Mountain.

View back the way I came.

Keg Mountain summit, view west.

Keg Mountain summit, view southwest.

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!