Deseret Peak sits in the Deseret Peak Wilderness and with 5,000’ prominence qualifies for a number of peak lists. At 11,031’ it is the highest peak in the Stansbury Mountains plus the highpoint of Tooele County (pronounced Tu-will-uh). On October 10, 2015 Great Basin Peaks Section members headed for Deseret Peak leaving Reno at 6:30am to reach the trailhead at Loop Campground before dark. We had a brief lunch stop for Cornish pasties at B.J. Bull in Elko and topped off gas in Wendover before heading across the Bonneville flats. This large desert expanse gave an illusion that surrounding peaks appeared as ships floating on a white sea. The unusual Tree of Life sculpture added an interest point as we drove through this desert. From Grantsville, our drive up South Willow Canyon twisted through sun-blazed aspen between high rock walls. Deer with fawns greeted us in the campground as we set up camp and prepared our yummy potluck dinner. The night sky was clear and littered with stars as we retired early to get some sleep before our early start time. Our morning start with headlamps allowed us to see the many color changes of first light on the mountains as we hiked up the canyon. . An 1800’ climb in the first 1.5 miles kept us warm on this chilly morning. Unlike many Great Basin Peaks, Deseret has a trail to the summit and can be found in numerous hiking guides. We had the trail to ourselves all the way to the summit. Enjoying the solitude and clear day, we sat an hour on top eating lunch, taking photos, and relishing the impressive views.
There is a register and benchmark on the summit. After the most leisurely summit rest I’ve ever enjoyed, we returned on the loop trail descending Pockets Fork/Dry Lake Fork Trail for variety. Another day to treasure on a great basin peak!
-Sharon Marie Wilcox