Hike Clayton Peak in Utah's Wasatch Mountains

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.