Salt Creek Peak in Manti-Lasal National Forest, UT

Hike Salt Creek Peak Manti-Lasal National Forest, UT

Class 2 11.2 miles 4400 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Aug 16, 2022
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Salt Creek Peak GPX Track

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Salt Creek Peak is a high-prominence mountain just east of the I-15. Most who summit seem to prefer driving on bad roads from the southeast, but I really wanted to find a way to hike up to its summit instead rather than spend a bunch of extra time in a car. A topo map hinted at a trail coming from the north, but I suspected it might be out of commission, though I decided to risk a potential bushwhack because I guess I hate myself or something. Any car can make it to where I parked, which was just before a creek crossing. I wasn't willing to drive through it and mess up my car the first day of my trip, but if you drive across the creek and continue on a powerline road you can cut two miles off my hike stats.

After hiking along the powerline road, I took a left at a spur road that climbed to a minor ridge to the east and then disappeared. From here I headed south toward the peak, where the possible remains of the trail is clearly maintained only now maintained by cow erosion. When the cattle trail became difficult to follow at times, it wasn't really a problem because the terrain was mostly clear of brush. I never found myself fighting to make progress, though sometimes I had to dodge a few brushy patches.

As the slope steepened at around 7400', tightly switchbacking trail remains materialized for a while, but little animal trails kept popping in and led elsewhere. When ascending this steep section, I recommend trying to keep generally to the left of the brownish/red conglomerate rock above, not falling prey to the confusing trails that so temptingly lead in a less vertical fashion. Eventually the trail did become more clear for a short time as I continued into a forested section. The brush was encroaching just a little bit more and then the deadfall began. With a little effort I was able to find an animal trail that avoided most of the obstacles. On the way back, it was actually somehow a lot easier to stay on any sort of trail, so I can confirm there is one, though it's not great most of the time. Hints of trail segments persisted up the ridgeline. As I made my way up there were definitely sections that required stepping over deadfall and navigating around brush, but it still wasn't annoying enough to call it true bushwacking.

I stumbled onto an ATV road on the northeast side of a small bump. The ATV road continued along the ridge crest, easing travel effort significantly. I marked this spot on my map so you know when the hike will ease up. From here the views become really nice and I was happy to make some quicker walking time. The ATV road drops a hundred feet, then climbs to just below the summit. Before it started to descend again, I left the road to ascend the mostly grassy north ridge of Salt Creek Peak, which actually had a decent social trail. I was pretty happy I did this more adventurous ascent of this peak that's otherwise known for its grueling drive-up.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Salt Creek Peak (Salt Benchmark)
9997 ft
3677 rise

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I parked before this creek.
I parked before this creek.
Along the powerline road, Salt Creek Peak seen ahead.
Along the powerline road, Salt Creek Peak seen ahead.
I came from the left, Mount Nebo seen in the distance. I headed up this spur road which took me to the east to the minor ridge seen above.
I came from the left, Mount Nebo seen in the distance. I headed up this spur road which took me to the east to the minor ridge seen above.
I left the road and headed south along the remains of a trail along the spur ridge.
I left the road and headed south along the remains of a trail along the spur ridge.
Mostly clear hiking, with some lightly brushy sections. Salt Creek Peak seen ahead.
Mostly clear hiking, with some lightly brushy sections. Salt Creek Peak seen ahead.
Progress up the slopes, where hints of the old trail pop in and out.
Progress up the slopes, where hints of the old trail pop in and out.
View back. I came from the center of this photo.
View back. I came from the center of this photo.
Steep section. Switchbacks lead a bit of the way up, then trails lead all over. I recommend keeping to the left of the red-brown conglomerate rock ahead.
Steep section. Switchbacks lead a bit of the way up, then trails lead all over. I recommend keeping to the left of the red-brown conglomerate rock ahead.
Past the steep section, heading into the forest.
Past the steep section, heading into the forest.
There's a social trail, but it might be hard to miss on the way up.
There's a social trail, but it might be hard to miss on the way up.
Overgrown section.
Overgrown section.
Continuing along the ridge crest, using a social trail when I could find it.
Continuing along the ridge crest, using a social trail when I could find it.
Cool cliffy features along the ridge.
Cool cliffy features along the ridge.
False summit seen ahead.
False summit seen ahead.
Steep bit through the forest, where a trail was sometimes easy to follow.
Steep bit through the forest, where a trail was sometimes easy to follow.
View back at my progress up the ridge. Mount Nebo in the distance.
View back at my progress up the ridge. Mount Nebo in the distance.
The final bit of hiking to gain the ATV road, which I found on the hump ahead.
The final bit of hiking to gain the ATV road, which I found on the hump ahead.
Semblance of a trail on the way up to the hump.
Semblance of a trail on the way up to the hump.
Top of the hump. An ATV road leads almost to the summit from here.
Top of the hump. An ATV road leads almost to the summit from here.
Image 19 from gallery
View back along the ATV road.
View back along the ATV road.
Sort descent along the ATV road before a final push to the summit.
Sort descent along the ATV road before a final push to the summit.
View back along the ATV road.
View back along the ATV road.
Salt Creek Peak ahead. I left the road shortly in order to ascend the peak's north ridge.
Salt Creek Peak ahead. I left the road shortly in order to ascend the peak's north ridge.
Along the north ridge, somewhat of a social trail available.
Along the north ridge, somewhat of a social trail available.
View back, just below the summit.
View back, just below the summit.
Salt Creek Peak summit, view north toward Mount Nebo.
Salt Creek Peak summit, view north toward Mount Nebo.
Salt Creek Peak summit, view south.
Salt Creek Peak summit, view south.
Close-up south.
Close-up south.

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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!