Hiking Grassy BM

Grassy Mountains

Overview

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RATING: Easy / Moderate Hike

LENGTH: 1-2 hours (2.3 miles)

MAPS: GRASSY MOUNTAINS, UT

Mon

40 | 33

Tue

37 | 30

Wed

39 | 31

Thu

39 | 32

Fri

32 | 29

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SEASON: Fall, Winter (if no snow and roads are dry), Spring

GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear

WATER: None, bring all you need.

Mon

40 | 33

Tue

37 | 30

Wed

39 | 31

Thu

39 | 32

Fri

32 | 29

View Full Weather Details

peak

hike

dog friendly

beginner

access: high clearance

Grassy BM is the highpoint on the right from near the trailhead.

The West Desert is one of my favorite quick escapes from the hustle and bustle of the Wasatch front when I need a getaway and have limited time. It only takes an hour or so to escape the city and find solitude in the infrequently visited ranges.

The Grassy Mountain range, just north of I-80, is not particularly dramatic or rugged. Instead, its grassy slopes make for easy hiking and are home to small populations of deer, antelope, and other wildlife. Those with a keen eye may find occasional arrow heads or other archaic remnants, as well as interesting rocks. Just north of the range is the US Military's Utah Test and Training Range, so military flights are also often sighted.

This hike visits the highest point in the Grassy Mountains, the Grassy Benchmark, at an elevation of 6,596' and 1,956' of prominence if you are interested in that statistic. It is a relatively easy drive to the trailhead, and short and easy hike by west desert peak standards.

Looking south toward the Cedar and Stansbury ranges.

Getting There

Note: Reaching the trailhead requires high clearance. There are a few rocky spots, particularly as you get close to the trailhead. I found the road a bit narrow but very reasonable in a Ford Ranger without using 4wd. Full-size vehicles may get some brush pin stripping. There is an alternative route to the one described here that comes in from the north. I took that route out and found it substantially rougher and more rocky.

Start by taking exit 62 off of I-80. This is about 40 miles west of Salt Lake City when you are heading west toward Wendover.

On the north side of the highway, reset your odometer, turn left and follow the good paved road. It heads west briefly, then curves and heads north toward the military installation. ( 12T 339433mE 4520814mN / N40° 49' 22" W112° 54' 15" )
5.3 miles - Turn left on the side road leaves on the left, west, side of the paved road and heads toward the Grassy Mountains. The road is now a dusty dirt road, but well graded. It heads across Puddle Valley, an area with slow drainage that holds water after storms well. ( 12T 338765mE 4527893mN / N40° 53' 11" W112° 54' 50" )
7.0 miles - 4-way junction. Stay straight toward the Grassy Mountains. ( 12T 336202mE 4528831mN / N40° 53' 39" W112° 56' 40" )
9.85 miles - A junction with a watering trough on the right. Turn right, then an almost immediate left. The road now begins heading up a canyon into the mountains. ( 12T 331954mE 4530240mN / N40° 54' 22" W112° 59' 43" )
11.2 miles - A side road leaves on the right, stay straight. The canyon begins to deepen here, and the road becomes less used, turning into a two-track soon. Stay on the most used road from here, there are a few small side roads that dead end and primitive camping sites. ( 12T 329976mE 4530674mN / N40° 54' 34" W113° 01' 08" )
15.2 miles - Reaching the top of the range. A side road on the right goes to a guzzler. Stay on the main two-track heading north. ( 12T 326794mE 4533337mN / N40° 55' 58" W113° 03' 26" )
15.75 miles - Old closed road on the right. This is the trailhead. ( 12T 326541mE 4534099mN / N40° 56' 23" W113° 03' 38" )

Looking back across the dusty Puddle Valley on the drive to the trailhead.

Route

From the trailhead, you can see the Grassy BM high point to the east. Hike down the hill, then up the other side to the Grassy BM ridge. Follow the ridge south and east to the actual high point and benchmark. The hiking is straightforward, and even the ridgeline is easy going.

From the benchmark, you can see the Cedar Mountains to the south, and the Newfoundland Mountains to the northwest. The vast flat lands between the ranges in the area is quite striking, particularly when you look north across the barren white lands to the Hogup Mountains.

Return the same way.