Thurston Peak | County Highpoint

Hiking Thurston Peak - County Highpoint Hiking Thurston Peak

County Highpoint

Overview

RATING: Easy Hiking
MAPS: Peterson, UT

Sat

Sunny. High near 36, with temperatures falling to around 32 in the afternoon. West wind around 5 mph.

36 | 21

Sun

A slight chance of snow showers after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 32. West wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

32 | 24

Mon

A chance of snow showers before 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 24. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

24 | 18

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 25.

25 | 15

Wed

Mostly sunny, with a high near 29.

29 | 15

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Late Spring, Summer, Fall
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: None.
NOTES: Reaching the trailhead can be difficult until early summer depending on snow levels. Also, the hike can have patches of snow well into the summer.

Sat

Sunny. High near 36, with temperatures falling to around 32 in the afternoon. West wind around 5 mph.

36 | 21

Sun

A slight chance of snow showers after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 32. West wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

32 | 24

Mon

A chance of snow showers before 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 24. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

24 | 18

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 25.

25 | 15

Wed

Mostly sunny, with a high near 29.

29 | 15

View Full Weather Details
View of the Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island on the ridge

View of the Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island on the ridge

Thurston Peak is the highpoint of both Davis and Morgan counties and offers a relatively easy highpoint near the Wasatch Front. A high clearance vehicle is recommended for reaching the trailhead, though not usually required. Beware, the road is steep and narrow in spots. It is narrow enough it makes passing oncoming vehicles a bit hair-raising and is the most exciting part of the day. Once on the summit, it offers great views of the Great Salt Lake, Wasatch Front, and Morgan areas. Highly recommended.

Wonder dog on the summit of Thurston Peak

Wonder dog on the summit of Thurston Peak

View of the trail from near the end of the road.

View of the trail from near the end of the road.

Getting There

The peak is above Farmington. To reach the trailhead from I-15 heading north:

  • Take exit 322 for UT-227/Lagoon Dr toward Farmington
  • Go 0.3, Keep right at the fork, follow signs for UT-225 and merge onto UT-227/S 200 W
  • 1.0, Turn right onto State St
  • 1.2, Take the 2nd left onto N Main St
  • 1.9, Turn right onto E 600 N
  • 2.0, Turn left onto N 100 E/Farmington Canyon Rd/N Skyline Dr. Continue to follow N Skyline Dr, resetting your odometer here. The road turns to dirt shortly and begins its steep switchback climb. Be very cautious of other vehicles and ATV traffic, especially on the weekends.
  • 7.9, junction, go left.
  • 8.8, junction, left.
  • 12.3, Junction with a side road going off to the right and becoming rougher. This is the recommended trailhead. The left fork goes to the radio tower.
View from the summit looking south along the ridegline/route

View from the summit looking south along the ridegline/route

Heading back on the road toward the radio tower.

Heading back on the road toward the radio tower.

Route

Summit: 2958 m ( 9705 ft. )
Trailhead: 2796 m ( 9174 ft. )

From the recommended trailhead, follow the dirt road on the east side of Francis Peak. On the north side of Francis Peak, it comes to a junction. Go left, taking other lefts along the way. The road ends after 1.8 miles (40 minutes), and becomes a single track trail.

Follow the single track as it runs the ridge line, starting on the west side, then crossing over to the east side to avoid several sub-peaks. About 2.5 miles (60 minutes from the end of the road), Thurston is on the right, with the trail making a fairly level traverse along its east side. Leave the main trail and follow a social trail up the south ridge to the true summit. (Many options.)

Note: Thurston Peak was named in the 1990's after Thomas Jefferson Thurston, a Mormon pioneer that helped settle the Morgan area in the 1850's. The Morgan Valley is clearly visible to the east from the summit. A marker on the summit has the history.

The top offers great views to the west of the Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island, and Wasatch Front.


Maps

Route / 8.38 miles / Elevation Range 9,001 - 9,696 ft.
Printable Maps:

Trailhead

12T 429529mE 4542142mN

N41° 01' 39" W111° 50' 18"

End Of Road

12T 428923mE 4544657mN

N41° 03' 00" W111° 50' 45"

Summit

12T 428518mE 4548207mN

N41° 04' 55" W111° 51' 04"

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