Monument Peak (10, 452 ft) is the the Carbon County High Point, and for those working on the Utah County High Points (CoHPs), this one is the easiest since you can drive to the summit. It's located along the Wasatch Plateau, and because its simply a drive, it should be combined with other CoHPs such as East Mountain and South Tent Mountain. There is nothing special about this peak except for the fact that you can see three CoHPs from the summit. The best time to drive here is in late Summer to Fall when the road is completely dry.
East Mountain (10,743 ft) is the Emery County High Point, and is one of several peaks along the Wasatch Plateau. The hike itself is straight forward, following a well-worn trail used by horses, hunters, and hikers. The main reason why people hike to this peak is for checking off the Utah County High Points (CoHPs) list. It's one of the easier CoHPs, and is often combined with Monument Peak, South Tent Mountain, or all three in one day. For our trip, we only did East & Monument on the same day since I had hiked South Tent Mountain a month earlier. From the summit you can see three CoHPs. Camping is plentiful and the drive is scenic. Both dogs and older kids can hike this route.
[lwptoc]
The South Ridge of Mount Superior is a well-known Class 5 scramble and a true gem for adventurous hikers in the Wasatch Mountains. While you can reach the summit via a more traditional hiking trail, this technical ridge route offers a more exhilarating and challenging ascent for experienced climbers.
Hiking Sulphur Creek – Capitol Reef’s Hidden Water Canyon Adventure
Sulphur Creek is one of Capitol Reef National Park’s best-kept secrets—a stunning 6-mile water hike that winds through a narrow canyon filled with subway-like channels, layered red and orange sandstone, and three scenic waterfalls. Often compared to Zion's Subway or The Narrows, Sulphur Creek holds its own as a unique and thrilling adventure.
Death Hollow is located in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, just outside of Escalante, Utah. The first 6 miles of the trail follows the Boulder Mail Trail - the old route, that even up until 1924, the mules would carry mail on from the residents of Boulder, UT to Escalante, UT. Boulder, UT is right along Highway 12, which wasn't even paved until the 1970's, was the last area in the US to gain automobile access! No matter how much this area has changed due to technology, you'll immediately find yourself in the backcountry and won't see people for days. Over our 3 day adventure, my friend and I only saw two other people the entire time.
Hiking Mt. Whitney is a bucket-list goal for many hikers and backpackers, but tackling it as a day hike is a serious challenge. This 20-mile round-trip adventure gains over 6,100 feet of elevation in just 10 miles one way. It's a strenuous endeavor not meant for the faint of heart. However, the real challenge isn’t just the physical hike—it’s securing a permit. With only one-third of the 17,000 annual applicants receiving a day-hike permit, the competition is fierce. When combined with backpackers on the John Muir Trail (JMT), nearly 20,000 people reach the summit of Mt. Whitney each year.
South Tent Mountain (11,285 ft) is the highest point in Sanpete County, Utah, and offers a scenic, rewarding ridge hike with panoramic views. While most hikers opt for the traditional route to the South Tent saddle, we chose to hike the entire ridge—summiting both South Tent Mountain and North Tent Mountain (11,230 ft). This moderate, dog-friendly trail requires no technical gear and covers just 5 miles round-trip, giving you double the peaks with minimal extra effort.
Mine Camp Peak (10, 222ft) is the Millard County High Point (CoHP), and one of the easiest to summit out of all the CoHPs at only 1 mile round trip. The drive will take much longer than the actual hike, so be prepared to spend close to half a day at least to summit this peak, and make the drive in and out. Mine Camp Peak should be combined with other peaks in the area since it's so short. In one weekend, we knocked out Brian Head Peak (Iron County High Point), Andy Nelson Peak & the Kane County High Point, Cascade Falls, and South Tent Mountain (Sanpete County High Point). Camping is available right at the trailhead, but only 2-3 tents can fit and one car can park there. This trail is both dog and kid-friendly!