Lookout Peak

Steve on the ridgeline.

"Tell me of progress if you will,

But give me sunshine on a hill

The grey rocks soaring to the blue,

The scent of larches, pinks and dew,

And summer sighing in the trees,

And snowy breath on every breeze.

Take towns and all that you find there,

And leave me sun and mountain air! 

- John Galsworthy

By Sam

Map and Stats of Lookout Peak.

Lookout peak is not prominent or spectacular in and of itself. It's just a mound, a round hill overshadowed by the Black Mtns. and Grandview itself. However, the views are spectacular and the climb, almost reaching 9,000', is an especially fun and challenging one in the winter. One of the things I love about summiting peaks is that my world gets a little smaller each time. I can look across the mountains and see everywhere I've been and plan to be.

The gate at the Little Dell Reservoir is locked during the winter months. So park your car at the gate. Travel north on the road about 1.5 miles until you get to a trail on the west side of the street. This trail will take you one mile through the Affleck Park Camping area. At the north end of the campsites there's a gate on the west side, don't miss it, we did the first time. About 3/4 miles up the trail there's a junction. You could go south about a mile to Little Mountain peak or down to the west into Emigration Canyon but to get to Lookout you go north. After about 1.25 miles and a set of switchbacks you reach the ridgeline.

Grandview behind.

Cottonwoods behind.

Summit Monkey gets a taste.

Once on the ridgeline it's a little more than a mile and a half of ups and downs. At this point we had to throw on the snowshoes to avoid post holing. Seeing the sun rise from a snowy ridgeline is a real treat and so is the Mountain Dew victory chug when we reach the peak. The view sweeps over the Cottonwood ranges to the south, the Davis County ridge to the north, the Salt Lake Valley to the west and the base of the Uintas to the east. It's spectacular. Go see it for yourself.