East Mountain |

Emery County Highpoint

Hiking East Mountain - Emery County Highpoint Hiking East Mountain

Emery County Highpoint

Overview

RATING: Easy Hiking.
MAPS: Rilda Canyon, UT

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 43. West wind around 8 mph.

43 | 23

Wed

Sunny, with a high near 43. West northwest wind 12 to 18 mph.

43 | 24

Thu

A slight chance of snow after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

46 | 26

Fri

A chance of snow after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

44 | 26

Sat

A chance of snow after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 44.

44 | 27

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Summer, Fall (mid-July can be prime wild flower time)
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: A spring on the ridgeline.
NOTES: The last 2.1 miles to the trailhead are rough, and require high clearance. This could be walked if needed, and would add 1-1.5 hours to the day.

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 43. West wind around 8 mph.

43 | 23

Wed

Sunny, with a high near 43. West northwest wind 12 to 18 mph.

43 | 24

Thu

A slight chance of snow after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

46 | 26

Fri

A chance of snow after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

44 | 26

Sat

A chance of snow after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 44.

44 | 27

View Full Weather Details
View from the summit of East Mountain

View from the summit of East Mountain

View from near the trailhead

View from near the trailhead

A lesser done peak, East Mountain is generally done because it is the highest point of Emery County. The hike, though, is pleasantly surprising. A leisurely stroll, it meanders up the mountain via a well defined trail through forest shade, passing a couple of springs along the way. Once on the ridge, it takes a more direct route to the summit, crossing meadows that, at least in mid-July, were well covered in wild flowers. A bit of length give some meat to the day, though this is a good family friendly hike for those that can cover the distance.

It is also of note than Crandall Mine, of the famous 2007 Crandall Canyon Mine disaster is under East Mountain.

There is good camping at the near by Indian Creek Campground, or one of the many others in the area.
Lucy haming it up in the wildflowers

Lucy haming it up in the wildflowers

Getting There

From Fairview:
  • Fo east on UT-31 for about 18.2 miles.
  • Turn right here, on forest road 0014 and follow this good dirt road 13 miles.
  • Turn left and this junction for 0.7 miles
  • Left again for 1.3 miles to the entrance of Indian Creek Campground
  • Don't enter the campground, but go north on the dirt road to its end at 2.1 miles. Just before the end of the road, an ATV trail goes off on the left, stay right. Those with low clearance vehicles may need to walk this section, it can be rutted.

Route

Summit: 3274 m ( 10742 ft. )
Trailhead: 2827 m ( 9275 ft. )

From the trailhead, follow the trail north, then a bit east. A grassy area a minute from the trailhead obscures the trail a bit, just head toward the fence to the north east. At the fence line, the trail becomes easy to follow and works its way east, then north to the ridge of East Mountain. Go right at the trail junction on the ridge (Following the East Mountain trail #085), then right again at the next junction a few minutes up the trail.

From the last junction, the trail begins climbing steeply. Follow it up the grassy hillside to near the top, then cross country to the true summit.

The summit offers great views to the west of the ridge the Skyline drive is on, and the bigger mountain in the far distance is Mt. Nebo, Utah County highpoint.

Maps

Route / 4.13 miles / Elevation Range 9,259 - 10,739 ft.
Printable Maps:
Trailhead

12S 480033mE 4370381mN

N39° 28' 58" W111° 13' 56"

Junction

12S 480962mE 4370918mN

N39° 29' 16" W111° 13' 17"

Junction 2

12S 481130mE 4370842mN

N39° 29' 13" W111° 13' 10"

Summit

12S 481337mE 4369553mN

N39° 28' 31" W111° 13' 01"

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