Outbound Collective logo

Lone Peak via Jacobs Ladder

Draper, Utah

4.7/5
based on 8 reviews

Details

Distance

14.2 miles

Elevation Gain

6713 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Tyler McFall

Hike to iconic Lone Peak via Jacobs Ladder with awesome valley views in the Wasatch Mountains. 

The main trail to Lone Peak is via Jacobs Ladder. To get to the start of the trailhead you need to drive on a dirt road for a little bit until you get to a little parking area (start of the road indicated on the map).

The trail starts just south of where you park on the dirt road. The Jacobs Ladder trail is very steep. It starts out very narrow with a lot of switchbacks until it opens up to a wider trail that heads east. You will follow this until you come to some very big rocks. The trail then veers off to the left and into some more switchbacks up the south slope of the mountain. This part of the trail is really steep.

Continue to follow the trail to the top of the hill where the trail levels out and heads east. You will then hike through a spectacular meadow and up through some pine trees. After that point the trail becomes very faint as you hike along big granite slabs until you reach the cirque. There are a lot of waypoints along the way so be on the lookout so you don’t wander off. After reaching the cirque, wind around to the left and start scrambling up the left side of the cirque. The trail will come in and out but just keep scrambling up the left hand side. The peak will be in your sights the whole way and after a little scrambling you will reach one of the most amazing summits in the state. This thrilling peak will definitely get your heart racing as you peak over the thousand foot cliffs on each side of you!

Read More

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app
Download GPX File

Features

Rock Climbing
Photography
Hiking
Forest
Scenic
Wildflowers
Wildlife

Lone Peak via Jacobs Ladder Reviews

This one is a beast but it’s amazing! Wildflowers galore at the end of July. A pretty fun run on the way down.

This is one of the most difficult, yet most incredible, unique and rewarding hikes I've done. I regret not climbing it sooner. The granite walls are unbelievable and the precipitous summit is a riot!

This is a great hike. All in all was super hard and rewarding

I have a question around the cirque is there any source of fresh water?

So it may not be super clear, but you want to drive up the dirt road from the Orsen Smith Trailhead all the way to the Jacobs Ladder Trailhead. If you don't you will get to add 2.5 miles to your hike, which is tough because this is truly an advanced hike! Possibly my favorite hike along the Wasatch it is far from a cakewalk, be sure to bring plenty of water. The "trail" is basically right up the mountain with very few switchbacks and a lot of loose dirt. Worth every moment, but be prepared and park at the Jacob's Ladder Trailhead GPS Coordinates (40.494292, -111.816643).

Great hike! Worth the work to get to the top. Very rewarding. Only complaint would be the lack of a clear trail (or any trails really...) from the meadow to the summit. Parking to meadow 3 hours Camped the night Meadow to summit 2 hours Summit to meadow descent (got lost) 2.5 hours Meadow to parking (RUNNING CUZ SO STEEP) 1.5 hours

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Lone Peak via the Cherry Creek Logging Trail

Climbing in the Lone Peak Cirque

Dimple Dell Trail West

Upper Bell Canyon Reservoir via Bell Canyon Trail

South Thunder Mountain via Bell Canyon

Bell Canyon's Waterfall