Trip report
Jun 18, 2026 — The Wasatch Plateau has various peaks just off Skyline Drive, some more gorgeous than others. I returned to snag a few peaks as quick out-and-backs from my car, this little outing to Trail Ridge and Lake Peak being the prettiest and longest of them. Peakbaggers know of the Wasatch Plateau mostly because of South Tent Mountain, but other summits are Lowry Top, Cox Knoll, Cove Knoll, etc. I did a much bigger loop of peaks on the Wasatch Plateau that was much more fulfilling and I recommend checking out, but this quick jaunt to two peaks straddling Snow Lake were nice and covered in wildflowers today.
There are various roads to reach Skyline Drive, but some are ATV trails and are not passable by most street vehicles. The best access road comes from Ephraim via Ephraim Canyon Road, but I have taken Twelve Mile Road 0022 in the past and it worked well too.
I parked on the west side of Snow Lake and headed up the south ridge of Trail Ridge, following an animal trail most of the way. There was some light brush that I avoided toward the steep last few feet. I backtracked and took an ATV road south along a narrow forested-covered ridge that led to Lake Mountain. I then wrapped east around Snow Lake off-trail to get back to my car.