3 Bucket List Backpacking Trips in Utah
Heading out on a multi-day trip might seem a bit daunting when you aren’t sure where to go (there’s so much to choose from!). But, with one or two of these in your pocket, you’re ready to enjoy your next Utah backpacking adventure. Using the onX Shared Folder feature, we’re giving you waypoints, routes, and more, with advice specific to a backpacking trip.
1. South Willow Lake Backpack Trip. Deseret Peak Wilderness
Only 50 miles due west of Salt Lake City is the Deseret Peak Wilderness, which lies hidden in plain sight among the early expanses of the vast west desert. South Willow Canyon is just southwest of the small town of Grantsville and rarely gets visitors from the big city. With surprisingly pretty mountains and a great array of flowers and wildlife, this is a hidden gem of the area. This trail is reminiscent of a hike in the Wasatch Mountains, but with far less fellow hikers. The large and healthy aspen groves are dotted with big pine trees, and the jagged tooth peaks of Deseret Peak sit overhead.
- A short hike
- Classic Utah mountain lake
- Nearby summit hike
2. Gladys Lake Backpack Trip. Uinta Mountains
- A mid-length hike with loop options
- Classic Utah mountain lake
- Nearby alpine summit hikes
- Fishing
3. Kings Peak Backpack Trip. Uinta Mountains
As the highest summit in the state, 13,528-foot Kings Peak is affectionately known as the Ceiling of Utah (although prior to satellite measurement in 1966 the highest summit was thought to be South Kings Peak, the summit of which sits at a mere 13,512 feet of elevation). Possessing the 19th-highest topographic prominence in the contiguous U.S. at 6,348 feet, Kings is also one of the 57 “Ultras,” or peaks with a prominence exceeding 1,500 meters. Kings Peak can be accessed from multiple potential routes, including the epic Highline Trail of the Uintas, but unlike many of Colorado’s 14ers, all routes require significant travel lengths just to begin the ascent. This adventure covers the most common route via Henrys Fork Trail. The draw of bagging Utah’s highest summit is certainly a motivator for this trip, but make no mistake, the alpine meadows and lakes of the several nearby basins are magnificent in their own right.
- A bucket list hike
- Incredible views
- The state’s highest summit
How To Explore These Folders
Want to dig into these folders? Follow these simple steps:
- Already have an onX membership? Just click on the folder link, and follow the instructions in your app or desktop to “add to my content”.
- Don’t have an onX membership yet?
- Download onX Backcountry from your app store, start your free trial or a paid membership, and create your account. Link to Apple Store. Link to Google Store
- Come back to this webpage and follow step 1 above.
- If you’re going to use one of these folders on your next backpacking trip, don’t forget to download your offline map so you can use it in the field.
- Also, we’d love your feedback! Let us know how these Shared Folders worked for you and what would have made it even better. help@onxmaps.com