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- Dec 23, 2013
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Lookout Peak here in the Wasatch is one of those that I had never summitted before. I had attempted to make twice before, once back in July of 2013 as I bushwhacked along the Black Mountain Ridge, but I had a family get together that I had to make that evening, so I had to turn around before reaching the peak. My second attempt was in April of 2017 with my daughter as we made our way along the Mount Wire Ridge, then along the upper part of Red Butte Canyon and up to the ridge west of Lookout. Unfortunately for us, the snow became to deep for us to break a trail through, so we turned around and headed home with our tails between our legs.
Well, since we haven't received much snow so far this season, Katie and I decided to give it another go, though this time we decided we would take a trail to the top instead of majority off-trail hiking.
We began our hikes at the Little Mountain Trailhead at the top of Emigration Canyon at 8:30 in the morning. It had snowed a bit (maybe 1/2 inch) over night, but the forecast called for mostly sunny skies throughout the day. Our route was a touch over 11 miles roundtrip in length and we figured it might take us most of the day to complete.
The trail was snow covered and a bit icy on our way up. Once we gained the ridge that led to the summit, the snow became deep in places due to drifting snow. So many segments along the ridge, we had to posthole our way, anywhere from knee deep to crotch deep, other segments were ankle deep to being able to walk on top of the snow.
This last stretch wore me out, but we made it to the top.
Once on top, some low level clouds started moving in and drove us off the summit. The return to the trailhead was uneventful and when we returned to our car it had taken us 7 hours and 58 minutes to complete our trip.
Here are some shots of our hike:
![01.jpg 01.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95551-3afdef59eac2df7da684168a5e447149.jpg)
Little Del Reservoir below
![02.jpg 02.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95552-63b5f797c8a50f73417ef8f1c386c1ba.jpg)
Grandeur Peak to the southwest
![03.jpg 03.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95553-60ffcdc2c6d381bd59d60577e1d72653.jpg)
A look down Emigration Canyon with Dale Peak on the left
![03a.jpg 03a.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95554-46bbecfcb1d70e604cb9432c612241f2.jpg)
Lookout Peak in the clouds to our north
![03b.jpg 03b.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95555-94019b7d9cb0d83289193910594cf96a.jpg)
Wikiup along the trail
![04.jpg 04.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95556-62b948a5ad3ae87633866d0f5062bdd0.jpg)
We followed bobcat track for a good mile and a half along the trail
![05.jpg 05.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95557-35fc57138397e92d847db6b972805c03.jpg)
The trail
![06.jpg 06.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95558-6aecd7d1875067f5b4dadc50f9178f8f.jpg)
A look down into Killyon Canyon with Parley's Ridge on the left and the Mount Wire ridge on the right
![07.jpg 07.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95559-f7c474945e29a6c0c8145781d50043bb.jpg)
Shhh..................... Be bery, bery quiet, I'm hunting wabbit.![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![09.jpg 09.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95561-67f5e60477ea2a02fb5ea43867b4029e.jpg)
The view to the north towards Swallow Rocks after gaining the ridge above Killyon Canyon
![10.jpg 10.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95562-f120cd8776dc3d26e96a3f0c632726b1.jpg)
View to the east toward Big Mountain from the same position as the previous image
![11.jpg 11.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95563-18db54139af1461dadf5f93d1e068feb.jpg)
Aspens along the ridge
![12.jpg 12.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95564-fe3010d9e9a54865cea1d9537b618783.jpg)
Katie, making her way up along the ridge
![13.jpg 13.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95565-d1f9ad14593d1bee9949bd8fb5c43430.jpg)
Making our way along the ridge through sometimes knee to waste deep snow
![14.jpg 14.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95566-bd598e2423c346071801916509d5e681.jpg)
Another shot of Katie heading up the ridge
![15.jpg 15.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95567-cb850be05f00f44e063e1bf50dbc4437.jpg)
As we approached the summit, Grandview Peak comes into view to the northwest of us
![16.jpg 16.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95568-7e9127ee3b684ad3d8af5501ce7b6372.jpg)
Lookout Peak dead ahead
![17.jpg 17.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95569-22c80d144c1c0e8e32b5492c99fc017f.jpg)
Grandview Peak again, across City Creek Canyon
![18.jpg 18.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95570-eb4ed7ea37cff18120a55725c4083243.jpg)
Shot on top of Lookout Peak
![19.jpg 19.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95571-189faa34048f7fe03efe4b8b8f915183.jpg)
Clouds started to move in on us so we had to skedaddle off the summit
![19b.jpg 19b.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95572-9454594afb5fed53b49fd6e7ef0c2869.jpg)
Scatman down!
![20.jpg 20.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95573-57e45da98c82bbac105a95a6a8b09411.jpg)
Clouds moving in on us
![21.jpg 21.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95574-1ea4de0c9a9aedfebe8e07139d661e9c.jpg)
Coming back down the ridge
![22.jpg 22.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95575-83a398907351522481b5a1b7677b6507.jpg)
Mountain Mahogany on the ridge
![23.jpg 23.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95576-ded3da71294e8daa6d1ee75431ff083c.jpg)
Scatman says, "Every time you see scat along the trail, an Angel earns its wings."![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![24.jpg 24.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95577-aedb42e59f907d22168f58ef2745a548.jpg)
Afternoon shot down Killyon Canyon
![25.jpg 25.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95578-09788880d482f93899836ba8429f603b.jpg)
Little Mountain, with Mount Aire along the Millcreek Ridgeline beyond and Gobblers Knob and Mount Raymond in the far distance
![26.jpg 26.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95579-56b049cf86788876c44ddc75e4e4bf43.jpg)
A look back on Lookout Peak on our way down
![27.jpg 27.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95580-009803bab7af92f47e43ee97bedffe5d.jpg)
Sun beginning to go behind the hill
![28.jpg 28.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95581-271e9c70f68f799df24b99d28c586348.jpg)
A look back on Little Mountain
![29.jpg 29.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95582-3431d7bb7170956515487d1f533f4b2a.jpg)
Another shot of Lookout Peak in the late afternoon sun from near the trailhead
![30.jpg 30.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95583-e0639574f6848542484165dd65ff9271.jpg)
Taking the micro spikes off at the parking lot
The End.
We began our hikes at the Little Mountain Trailhead at the top of Emigration Canyon at 8:30 in the morning. It had snowed a bit (maybe 1/2 inch) over night, but the forecast called for mostly sunny skies throughout the day. Our route was a touch over 11 miles roundtrip in length and we figured it might take us most of the day to complete.
The trail was snow covered and a bit icy on our way up. Once we gained the ridge that led to the summit, the snow became deep in places due to drifting snow. So many segments along the ridge, we had to posthole our way, anywhere from knee deep to crotch deep, other segments were ankle deep to being able to walk on top of the snow.
This last stretch wore me out, but we made it to the top.
Here are some shots of our hike:
![01.jpg 01.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95551-3afdef59eac2df7da684168a5e447149.jpg)
Little Del Reservoir below
![02.jpg 02.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95552-63b5f797c8a50f73417ef8f1c386c1ba.jpg)
Grandeur Peak to the southwest
![03.jpg 03.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95553-60ffcdc2c6d381bd59d60577e1d72653.jpg)
A look down Emigration Canyon with Dale Peak on the left
![03a.jpg 03a.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95554-46bbecfcb1d70e604cb9432c612241f2.jpg)
Lookout Peak in the clouds to our north
![03b.jpg 03b.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95555-94019b7d9cb0d83289193910594cf96a.jpg)
Wikiup along the trail
![04.jpg 04.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95556-62b948a5ad3ae87633866d0f5062bdd0.jpg)
We followed bobcat track for a good mile and a half along the trail
![05.jpg 05.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95557-35fc57138397e92d847db6b972805c03.jpg)
The trail
![06.jpg 06.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95558-6aecd7d1875067f5b4dadc50f9178f8f.jpg)
A look down into Killyon Canyon with Parley's Ridge on the left and the Mount Wire ridge on the right
![07.jpg 07.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95559-f7c474945e29a6c0c8145781d50043bb.jpg)
Shhh..................... Be bery, bery quiet, I'm hunting wabbit.
![09.jpg 09.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95561-67f5e60477ea2a02fb5ea43867b4029e.jpg)
The view to the north towards Swallow Rocks after gaining the ridge above Killyon Canyon
![10.jpg 10.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95562-f120cd8776dc3d26e96a3f0c632726b1.jpg)
View to the east toward Big Mountain from the same position as the previous image
![11.jpg 11.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95563-18db54139af1461dadf5f93d1e068feb.jpg)
Aspens along the ridge
![12.jpg 12.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95564-fe3010d9e9a54865cea1d9537b618783.jpg)
Katie, making her way up along the ridge
![13.jpg 13.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95565-d1f9ad14593d1bee9949bd8fb5c43430.jpg)
Making our way along the ridge through sometimes knee to waste deep snow
![14.jpg 14.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95566-bd598e2423c346071801916509d5e681.jpg)
Another shot of Katie heading up the ridge
![15.jpg 15.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95567-cb850be05f00f44e063e1bf50dbc4437.jpg)
As we approached the summit, Grandview Peak comes into view to the northwest of us
![16.jpg 16.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95568-7e9127ee3b684ad3d8af5501ce7b6372.jpg)
Lookout Peak dead ahead
![17.jpg 17.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95569-22c80d144c1c0e8e32b5492c99fc017f.jpg)
Grandview Peak again, across City Creek Canyon
![18.jpg 18.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95570-eb4ed7ea37cff18120a55725c4083243.jpg)
Shot on top of Lookout Peak
![19.jpg 19.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95571-189faa34048f7fe03efe4b8b8f915183.jpg)
Clouds started to move in on us so we had to skedaddle off the summit
![19b.jpg 19b.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95572-9454594afb5fed53b49fd6e7ef0c2869.jpg)
Scatman down!
![20.jpg 20.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95573-57e45da98c82bbac105a95a6a8b09411.jpg)
Clouds moving in on us
![21.jpg 21.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95574-1ea4de0c9a9aedfebe8e07139d661e9c.jpg)
Coming back down the ridge
![22.jpg 22.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95575-83a398907351522481b5a1b7677b6507.jpg)
Mountain Mahogany on the ridge
![23.jpg 23.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95576-ded3da71294e8daa6d1ee75431ff083c.jpg)
Scatman says, "Every time you see scat along the trail, an Angel earns its wings."
![24.jpg 24.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95577-aedb42e59f907d22168f58ef2745a548.jpg)
Afternoon shot down Killyon Canyon
![25.jpg 25.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95578-09788880d482f93899836ba8429f603b.jpg)
Little Mountain, with Mount Aire along the Millcreek Ridgeline beyond and Gobblers Knob and Mount Raymond in the far distance
![26.jpg 26.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95579-56b049cf86788876c44ddc75e4e4bf43.jpg)
A look back on Lookout Peak on our way down
![27.jpg 27.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95580-009803bab7af92f47e43ee97bedffe5d.jpg)
Sun beginning to go behind the hill
![28.jpg 28.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95581-271e9c70f68f799df24b99d28c586348.jpg)
A look back on Little Mountain
![29.jpg 29.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95582-3431d7bb7170956515487d1f533f4b2a.jpg)
Another shot of Lookout Peak in the late afternoon sun from near the trailhead
![30.jpg 30.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/95/95583-e0639574f6848542484165dd65ff9271.jpg)
Taking the micro spikes off at the parking lot
The End.
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