Monte Cristo Peak and Mount Superior via Cardiff Pass Trail in Wasatch-Cache National Forest, UT

Hike Monte Cristo Peak and Mount Superior via Cardiff Pass Trail Wasatch-Cache National Forest, UT

Class 3 4.8 miles 2900 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Sep 15, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Monte Cristo Peak and Mount Superior via Cardiff Pass Trail GPX Track

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Mt. Superior and Monte Cristo Peak are two Wasatch 11ers with great views of the higher peaks around Alta. I would recommend ascending Mt. Superior via South Ridge, but if you're not cool with Class 3/4 scrambling, this route is nice too. From the trailhead an old dirt road took me most of the way to Cardiff Pass, where a trail leads south around Cardiff Peak and then brought me back to the west ridge leading to Mt. Superior. There's some easy Class 3 on the way up, but I highly recommend staying along the trail (which stays close to the ridge the whole time), or you may end up doing some more serious scrambling. From Mt. Superior, Monte Cristo Peak is a short scramble away. On the way back, I summitted the baby Cardiff Peak summit.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Cardiff Peak
10277 ft
n/a rise
2
Superior Peak
11040 ft
40 rise
3
Monte Cristo Peak
11132 ft
452 rise

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An old dirt road takes you up most of the way to Cardiff Pass.
An old dirt road takes you up most of the way to Cardiff Pass.
Image 1 from gallery
Looking back toward Alta.
Looking back toward Alta.
Almost at Cardiff Pass.
Almost at Cardiff Pass.
Image 4 from gallery
Looking back along the ridge after gaining it.
Looking back along the ridge after gaining it.
Heading up toward Mt. Superior, shrouded in clouds.
Heading up toward Mt. Superior, shrouded in clouds.
Lots of fog.
Lots of fog.
Image 8 from gallery
Looking back toward Alta, on the right.
Looking back toward Alta, on the right.
Image 10 from gallery
Image 11 from gallery
Looking back along the ridge.
Looking back along the ridge.
There are small points of scrambling, but most of the route has a trail.
There are small points of scrambling, but most of the route has a trail.
Looking back along the ridge.
Looking back along the ridge.
Image 15 from gallery
A Class 2/3 section.
A Class 2/3 section.
Looking back along the ridge.
Looking back along the ridge.
Image 18 from gallery
Image 19 from gallery
Almost at the summit of Mt. Superior.
Almost at the summit of Mt. Superior.
Mt. Superior summit, the ridge to Monte Cristo on the left, Cardiac Ridge on the right.
Mt. Superior summit, the ridge to Monte Cristo on the left, Cardiac Ridge on the right.
Close-up into the Cardiff Mine Basin.
Close-up into the Cardiff Mine Basin.
Heading to the saddle of Superior and Monte Cristo.
Heading to the saddle of Superior and Monte Cristo.
Almost at Monte Cristo.
Almost at Monte Cristo.
Monte Cristo ahead. My summit photo was too foggy to see anything.
Monte Cristo ahead. My summit photo was too foggy to see anything.
Gorgeous sunset on the way back.
Gorgeous sunset on the way back.

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!