South Mountain from Medicine Lakes in Manti-La Sal National Forest, UT

Hike South Mountain from Medicine Lakes Manti-La Sal National Forest, UT

Class 1 7.3 miles 2700 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Aug 2, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

South Mountain from Medicine Lakes GPX Track

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To wrap up my hikes in the La Sal Mountains, I decided to save South Mountain for last. It's the high peak at the far end of the La Sal group, and it ended up being one of the more pleasant hikes in the range. Almost any car can make it to the Medicine Lakes Trailhead, a shallow stream crossing being one possible barrier.

The largest of the Medicine Lakes is really pretty, surrounded by the peaks and wildflowers. It's a fairly popular spot, so I didn't linger. I set out on the official Medicine Lakes Trail, which was in great condition, until it brought me to a junction with the South Mountain Trail. The South Mountain Trail started off much more steeply, but soon mellowed out and traversed the eastern slopes of South Mountain. The views became nicer, and the trail alternated between aspens and meadows. This trail wouldn't lead all the way to the summit, despite its misleading name, but instead to the saddle between South Mountain and a lower unnamed peak to its southeast, Peak 11142. I would head up to this peak after.

Once at the saddle, I headed to the right, first walking through some trees and then skirting the edge of treeline. A social trail led me along the slope, really nice views to the south as I went. I left the social trail when it became clear it wouldn't take me higher, choosing instead to ascend the steep and grassy southeast ridge of South Mountain. There are some rocky sections and a few tree obstacles, but all can be avoided. The view from the summit to the north was really something to remember, especially if you've done the other La Sal peaks. It gives a good perspective of pretty much all the major peaks of the group.

I made it back to the saddle and located a good spot to begin ascending to Peak 11142 via its west ridge. This included a bit more bushwhacking, but nothing that I'd call unpleasant. Just the occasional downed tree or shrub to avoid. Keeping to the right meant sometimes leaving the trees to enjoy the open slopes of Peak 11142's south side, while keeping to the high point of the ridge meant staying within the trees and likely being slightly more efficient. The summit had some rockiness and a tree-obscured view of the other La Sal peaks.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
South Mountain
11817 ft
1657 rise
2
Peak 11142
11142 ft
422 rise

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Medicine Lakes. South Mountain visible center.
Medicine Lakes. South Mountain visible center.
Looking back at the Medicine Lakes Trailhead, Mount Tukuhnikivatz visible top left.
Looking back at the Medicine Lakes Trailhead, Mount Tukuhnikivatz visible top left.
Heading through the forest on the Medicine Lakes Trail.
Heading through the forest on the Medicine Lakes Trail.
Image 3 from gallery
Image 4 from gallery
Junction with the South Mountain Trail. Keep right.
Junction with the South Mountain Trail. Keep right.
The South Mountain Trail follows a grassy slope, heading through forest and meadows.
The South Mountain Trail follows a grassy slope, heading through forest and meadows.
Image 7 from gallery
Looking back.
Looking back.
Image 9 from gallery
Nearing the high point of the South Mountain Trail, the saddle between South Mountain and Peak 11142. I left the trail and headed into the meadow visible on the right.
Nearing the high point of the South Mountain Trail, the saddle between South Mountain and Peak 11142. I left the trail and headed into the meadow visible on the right.
A social trail leading west away from the saddle.
A social trail leading west away from the saddle.
Looking back along the social trail, Peak 11142 visible center.
Looking back along the social trail, Peak 11142 visible center.
I left the social trail because it continued away from the summit, instead heading up the steep southeast slope of South Mountain.
I left the social trail because it continued away from the summit, instead heading up the steep southeast slope of South Mountain.
Continuing up the steep slope to South Mountain.
Continuing up the steep slope to South Mountain.
Looking back down the slope, Peak 11142 visible on the left.
Looking back down the slope, Peak 11142 visible on the left.
The rockiest the route gets, and this is avoidable if you keep to the grasses on either side of it.
The rockiest the route gets, and this is avoidable if you keep to the grasses on either side of it.
View toward Peak 11142 as I near the summit of South Mountain.
View toward Peak 11142 as I near the summit of South Mountain.
South Mountain summit ahead.
South Mountain summit ahead.
Looking back one last time, Peak 11142 poking out.
Looking back one last time, Peak 11142 poking out.
Mount Tukuhnikivatz and Mount Peale, seen from the summit of South Mountain.
Mount Tukuhnikivatz and Mount Peale, seen from the summit of South Mountain.
Close-up of the desert landscape below.
Close-up of the desert landscape below.
Back at the saddle, I continued east toward Peak 11142. It was forested, but easy to navigate. The trees weren't thick and I hesitate to even call it a bushwhack.
Back at the saddle, I continued east toward Peak 11142. It was forested, but easy to navigate. The trees weren't thick and I hesitate to even call it a bushwhack.
View along the ridge to Peak 1142.
View along the ridge to Peak 1142.
Continuing to the summit of Peak 11142.
Continuing to the summit of Peak 11142.
Final push on some minor talus to the summit of Peak 11142.
Final push on some minor talus to the summit of Peak 11142.
Peak 11142 summit, view toward South Mountain behind the trees.
Peak 11142 summit, view toward South Mountain behind the trees.
Peak 11142 summit, view toward Mount Tukuhnikivatz (left) and Mount Peale (right).
Peak 11142 summit, view toward Mount Tukuhnikivatz (left) and Mount Peale (right).

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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!