Hike Clayton Peak in Utah's Wasatch Mountains
3 Miles
1600 Feet
Running, Backpacking, Hiking
Intermediate
Year Round
Out-and-Back
Clayton Peak is 10,720 feet tall, and the highest peak on the eastern side of Utah's Wasatch Mountains. Watch the sun rise or set; you can't lose.
Clayton Peak is approximately 1.5 miles from Guardsman Pass (3 miles round trip), and you'll gain about 1,600 feet of climbing.
There is parking on top of the pass, but it fills up quickly with hikers and mountain bikers during peak season as this serves as the trailhead for Bloods Lake, Jupiter Peak, and Crest Trail.
From the parking lot, head south on the trail following the ridge. You'll start hiking up to peak 10,4020. Before reaching the top, Clayton Peak trail veers to the right around peak 10,420 saving you a little vertical.
Once you round peak 10,420, you will descend to a saddle and begin climbing the ridge to Clayton Peak. The trail will transform to boulders, and you'll scramble to the top of Clayton Peak.
At the summit, you will be directly above the Great Western Chairlift at Brighton Ski Resort, with magnificent 360-degree views of Heber Valley, Wolverine Cirque, and Mount Timpanogos.
On your descent, you can opt to make this a loop and head to Bloods Lake at the saddle before peak 10,420.
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations.
Nearby Lodging
The Cliff Lodge
Sandy, Utah
Reviews
Overall rating:
Quite An Adventure
It's pretty steep at the beginning but it's well worth the work once you arrive at the peak. Scrambling across the boulders was by far my favorite part about the hike. If you go in the morning, consider bringing a light jacket or something like that because it's chilly early in the morning. It heats up pretty quick though so be prepared to take off some layers later in the hike. Alternatively, just get moving to warm yourself up near the beginning.
