Cherry Canyon Logging Trail

Overview

Please Note: This route was previously referred to on Summitpost as "Bear Canyon". I have changed the name of the route to "Cherry Canyon Logging Trail", which is the name used on the signage at the trailhead. This naming inconsistency was pointed out to me by SP member Grizz Randall.

This route to the summit of Lone Peak is an easy to follow alternative to the more popular Draper Ridge and Jacobs Ladder trails. Although the route involves more elevation gain than these two more popular routes, it offers several advantages. Frequent switchbacks eliminate most of the brutally steep sections which are found on the other two trails. A much larger portion of the trail passes through shaded pine forest, and the presence of a perennial spring provides a year-round water source.

Getting There

Follow the initial directions listed in the 'Getting There' section of the main page. After turning right (south) at the T intersection at 12400 South 2000 East, the road will become dirt after a few hundred yards before passing through the gate marking the beginning of Corner Canyon Road. This gate is closed from approximately December through May.

Drive or walk approximately 0.2 miles up the road from the gate, where a small dirt road on the left heads sharply up to the north-east. Park off the road and begin walking up the road from this point (NAD27 12T 429286E 4485367N, el. ±4,850 ft.).

Stats

One-Way Hiking Distance: ±6 miles
Elevation Gain: ±6,400 ft.
Trailhead Elevation: ±4,850 ft.
Summit Elevation: 11,253
Average Gain per Mile: ±1,070 ft.

Route Description

GPS coordinates appear in blue and are UTM NAD27.

From Corner Canyon Road hike up the small dirt road, passing two large concrete vaults on the left ±250 yards up the road. Approximately 100 yards beyond these vaults look for a trail heading steeply up the slopes on the right (east) side of the road. Follow this trail for ±0.2 mile until it intersects the north-south Shoreline Trail at a signed 4-way junction at el. ±5,200 ft. (12T 429810E 4485691N).

Continue east at this junction on the trail identified as "Cherry Canyon Logging Trail". From the signed junction the trail meanders a bit and makes numerous small switchbacks as it slowly climbs through scrub and sagebrush up the lower west facing flanks of Lone Peak.

At ±7,200 ft. the trail crosses onto the Cherry Canyon (to the south) side of the ridge for a pleasant 0.25-mile stretch of fairly level hiking before beginning to climb again. The trail then makes a few more switchbacks but continues climbing in a generally eastward direction.

At ±8,485 ft. (12T 432428E 4484875N) a spur trail, marked with a cairn, joins from the south (this spur trail traverses south ±0.25 mile to the Draper Ridge Trail). After passing this junction the trail descends slightly and enters a forested stretch as it continues east for ±0.3 mile, where it reaches the perennial spring at el. ±8,440 ft (12T 432840E 4485173N). The spring is located in the Bear Canyon drainage.

From the spring the trail continues climbing through pines, steeply at times, turning northward for a brief period before turning back eastward as it enters the South Fork of Little Willow canyon. The trail winds through a number of large granite outcrops before arriving in an open meadow. In the trees on the right (south) side of the meadow is the Outlaw Cabin, el. ±9,275 ft., (12T 433851E 4485526N), a small log cabin complete with a wood stove.

From the Outlaw Cabin it is possible to traverse south ±0.25 mile and intersect the standard Draper Ridge/Jacobs Ladder trail. However, it is shorter and just as easy to continue east up the South Fork Little Willow drainage.

There is no trail beyond the Outlaw Cabin but it is a simple matter to follow the drainage east, staying on the left (north) side of the drainage as it begins rising more steeply. Near the top the drainage narrows, rimmed on the east and south by granite cliffs and spires.

Begin veering left and route find your way through the rocks. Soon after you will find yourself on the west wall of the cirque, and the summit of Lone Peak will pop into view for the first time. This is a good spot to note a few landmarks for navigation on the return, since it would be easy to incorrectly begin descending into the drainage immediately to the north, which is the North Fork of Little Willow.

From the west rim of the cirque climb over a short rise, then descend a bit as you route find your way north-east through rocks and low alpine trees. Occasional cairns may be spotted to help guide the way. Regain the ridge which slowly curves east, becoming the summit ridge of Lone Peak. This is another good spot to note a few landmarks for the return hike down.

Follow the summit ridge staying initially on the left (north), then crossing over to the south side of the ridge. The final few hundred feet to the summit involves class 3 scrambling with exposure.

Essential Gear

Standard summer hiking gear suitable for a fairly long hike.

Early season hikes may require an ice axe and snowshoes, depending on snowpack and conditions.

The hike gains/loses a significant amount of elevation, so treking poles may be welcome on the descent (your knees will thank you).

Additions and CorrectionsPost an Addition or Correction

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aiadvisors - Jan 6, 2006 6:53 pm - Hasn't voted

Route Comment

Don't forget the amazingly aromatic mountain mahogany forest and canopy at 7200 ft. for half a mile on this trail. This trail is worth it just for the aroma through these woods. No other trail has this.

tmcrane - Aug 11, 2008 1:09 pm - Hasn't voted

New Orson Smith Trailhead Park

The Orson Smith Trailhead has a new oval-shaped paved parking lot with a small park just to the north. The trail begins just north of the pavilion at some wooden stairs and heads directly east. After a few minutes of hiking, the trail intersects a north-south trail and has a sign indicating that the Bonneville Shoreline Trail is farther east. This sign says nothing about the Cherry Canyon Trail, but continue east until you reach another main intersection (Bonneville Shoreline Trail) where you will finally see a sign for the Cherry Canyon Logging Trail which continues east. We made it up just fine, but I thought these initial details may be helpful to someone who has never been to the trailhead before.

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