Loafer Mountain and Santaquin Peak in Uinta National Forest, UT

Hike Loafer Mountain and Santaquin Peak Uinta National Forest, UT

Class 1 11.6 miles 4400 gain 5-7 hrs Out + Back Oct 3, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Loafer Mountain and Santaquin Peak GPX Track

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Loafer Mountain, though slightly higher than Santaquin Peak, has only a social trail leading to its summit, while the "Loafer Mountain Trail" leads to Santaquin Peak. I'm sure the naming of the peaks causes some confusion because of this, but both peaks are lovely and close together and it was nice to be able to hike a well-beaten and somewhat popular trail. The hike starts by heading north on mostly flat terrain, then curves left along the slopes of Loafer Mountain and ascends slowly to the southwest ridge. Once on the ridge, the trail becomes significantly more steep, only switchbacking a couple of times before reaching a nice lookout point toward the sprawling suburbs to the northwest and Santaquin Peak and Loafer Mountain to the northeast.

The trail continues on-and-off the ridge until the final steep ascent to Loafer Mountain. I decided to hike to Loafer Mountain first, leaving the main trail (which continues along the slope) to get to the ascent ridge crest. Note that the start of the social trail isn't clear, so I recommend just heading up the ridge as soon as the trail diverges on the left. The ridge is pleasant, though a bit steep. The summit views are lovely. I continued north down the steep slopes to rejoin the Loafer Mountain Trail. It worked fine (maybe Class 2 due to steepness), but was slower-moving than the rest of the day. I would recommend backtracking a bit to keep the route less steep (purple line on the attached map). Once back on the Loafer Mountain Trail, I followed it to Santaquin Peak and took in the forest fire hazy views before returning back the way I came.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Loafer Mountain
10687 ft
2887 rise
2
Santaquin Peak
10685 ft
405 rise

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Loafer Mountain Trailhead, Loafer Mountain seen behind the trees.
Loafer Mountain Trailhead, Loafer Mountain seen behind the trees.
Along the well-traveled trail.
Along the well-traveled trail.
The trail is mostly flat to start, with some minor ups and downs.
The trail is mostly flat to start, with some minor ups and downs.
Loafer Mountain above. The trail curves to the left, following the slopes and ascending slowly.
Loafer Mountain above. The trail curves to the left, following the slopes and ascending slowly.
A trail junction. There is normally a way to make this hike a loop, but the eastern side of that loop was closed.
A trail junction. There is normally a way to make this hike a loop, but the eastern side of that loop was closed.
Along the Loafer Mountain Trail, ascending slowly on the slopes below the peak.
Along the Loafer Mountain Trail, ascending slowly on the slopes below the peak.
Looking back, the trailhead is somewhere on the right behind that hill.
Looking back, the trailhead is somewhere on the right behind that hill.
Image 7 from gallery
The trail eventually meets the southwest ridge.
The trail eventually meets the southwest ridge.
Starting up along the southwest ridge, which was more steep than the trail had been so far.
Starting up along the southwest ridge, which was more steep than the trail had been so far.
Looking back as I ascend the ridge.
Looking back as I ascend the ridge.
Continuing along the ridge.
Continuing along the ridge.
Approaching a nice lookout point, center.
Approaching a nice lookout point, center.
Looking back from just below the lookout point.
Looking back from just below the lookout point.
At the lookout point, a campfire visible on the right. Santaquin Peak and Loafer Mountain seen left. This was the first glimpse of them I got so far.
At the lookout point, a campfire visible on the right. Santaquin Peak and Loafer Mountain seen left. This was the first glimpse of them I got so far.
Looking back as I continue along the ridge. The lookout spot is below the hill on the left.
Looking back as I continue along the ridge. The lookout spot is below the hill on the left.
Ascending on-and-off of the ridge. The trail took the most convenient route.
Ascending on-and-off of the ridge. The trail took the most convenient route.
Looking back, lots of wildfire haze.
Looking back, lots of wildfire haze.
Along the Loafer Mountain Trail, the peaks visible ahead. There is one minor bump along the trail that adds some vertical gain, seen far right.
Along the Loafer Mountain Trail, the peaks visible ahead. There is one minor bump along the trail that adds some vertical gain, seen far right.
Loafer Mountain right, Santaquin Peak left.
Loafer Mountain right, Santaquin Peak left.
Image 20 from gallery
Looking back along the trail. I came from the ridge on the left.
Looking back along the trail. I came from the ridge on the left.
I continued away from the Loafer Mountain Trail on this social trail to Loafer Mountain. The official trail is on the left out of frame.
I continued away from the Loafer Mountain Trail on this social trail to Loafer Mountain. The official trail is on the left out of frame.
Looking back along the social trail.
Looking back along the social trail.
Loafer Mountain summit ahead.
Loafer Mountain summit ahead.
Loafer Mountain summit, view toward Santaquin Peak. You can see how steep the descent is to get down to the trail from here. I recommend backtracking a little until the terrain is less steep.
Loafer Mountain summit, view toward Santaquin Peak. You can see how steep the descent is to get down to the trail from here. I recommend backtracking a little until the terrain is less steep.
On the Loafer Mountain Trail, headed to Santaquin Peak.
On the Loafer Mountain Trail, headed to Santaquin Peak.
Looking back at the steep descent from Loafer Mountain.
Looking back at the steep descent from Loafer Mountain.
Santaquin Peak ahead.
Santaquin Peak ahead.
Image 29 from gallery
Looking back, you can see Loafer Mountain on the left and the ridge where the trail lies on the right.
Looking back, you can see Loafer Mountain on the left and the ridge where the trail lies on the right.
Santaquin Peak ahead.
Santaquin Peak ahead.
Santaquin Peak view toward Loafer Mountain.
Santaquin Peak view toward Loafer Mountain.
Santaquin Peak view toward Loafer Mountain (left) and the ridge the trail came in on (top right).
Santaquin Peak view toward Loafer Mountain (left) and the ridge the trail came in on (top right).
Santaquin Peak.
Santaquin Peak.

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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!