Lamus Peak | Silver Island Mountains

Hiking Lamus Peak - Silver Island Mountains Hiking Lamus Peak

Silver Island Mountains

Overview

RATING: Moderate Hike
MAPS: GRAHAM PEAK, UT; BONNEVILLE RACETRACK, UT

Sat

Sunny, with a high near 35. Southeast wind around 3 mph.

35 | 25

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.

41 | 27

Mon

Sunny, with a high near 37.

37 | 25

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 34.

34 | 19

Wed

Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

35 | 20

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Fall, Spring
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: None

Sat

Sunny, with a high near 35. Southeast wind around 3 mph.

35 | 25

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.

41 | 27

Mon

Sunny, with a high near 37.

37 | 25

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 34.

34 | 19

Wed

Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

35 | 20

View Full Weather Details
The old pack trail heading up the mountain.

The old pack trail heading up the mountain.

Lamus Peak, though infrequently visited, is my favorite of the peaks I have done in the Silver Island Mountains. The hike has both big views and interesting history. It is a trail that, as it wends its way up the peak, feels like it is immersing the hiker into the scenery as it goes. I was expecting the nice summit views, but much of the trail is an old miners pack trail, still in quite good shape and makes for fascinating history as well.

Historical Note: Mining started in the Silver Island Mountains as early as 1872. Gold, silver, copper, and lead were the main outputs. Mining continued well into the 1900’s, with some areas seeing activity until after WWII. Today (2020), there appear to be no active mining operations, though claim marking posts are being updated and claims kept active for future mining operations if they become profitable.

The peak is named after Nelson Edward Lamus and his son Blair Barnard Lamus. Nelson was involved in building the first paved road to access the Bonneville Salt Flats. His son Blair was involved in prepping the Salt Flats for speed record attempts between 1925 and 1955.
Note: The trail has some looseness and requires a bit of route finding. Nothing particularly challenging, but likely best suited for those with a bit of experience.
Lamus Peak (on the left) from the mud flats below.

Lamus Peak (on the left) from the mud flats below.

Getting There

Reaching the trailhead starts by going north off I-80 at exit 4. This is a few miles east of Wendover, UT, and about 115 miles west of Salt Lake City.

Once off the freeway, reset your odometer on the north side of the freeway and head north toward Bonneville Salt Flats.

  • Reset Odometer at west bound stop sign off the Interstate. ( 12T 249228mE 4514613mN / N40° 44' 39" W113° 58' 12" )
  • 1.2 miles - left onto a paved road. ( 12T 249287mE 4516575mN / N40° 45' 43" W113° 58' 13" )
  • 1.95 miles - Right onto dirt road. This is the Silver Island Mountain Byway/East side. ( 12T 248455mE 4517420mN / N40° 46' 09" W113° 58' 49" )
  • 2.1 miles - Stay right on the main dirt road. ( 12T 248375mE 4517714mN / N40° 46' 19" W113° 58' 53" )
  • 11.4 miles - Silver Island Loop side road. Stay right on byway. ( 12T 257616mE 4527436mN / N40° 51' 44" W113° 52' 33" )
  • 12.85 miles - Lamus Peak two track side road on the left. This is the Lamus Peak trailhead. ( 12T 259823mE 4527946mN / N40° 52' 03" W113° 50' 60" )
Lamus Peak from near the end of the two track.

Lamus Peak from near the end of the two track.

Route

The first section can be driven by high clearance vehicles or walked if needed. There is a washout not far from the main dirt road that is the worst spot. If you can make it past that, the rest of the road is in quite good shape. Drive or walk the two-track for 1.5 miles to where it crosses a wash. The road gets a bit rougher and steeper from here before ending shortly. If driven to this point, I would recommend parking at or near the wash.

From the wash, follow the road up past an old mining ruin. The road cuts left and switches from a road to a constructed pack trail climbing the hillside. Follow the pack trail as it climbs the hillside, crosses over to the next drainage and continues up to an old mine. This section of trail is easy to find and follow.

At the mine, the trail continues, but is a bit harder to find and follow. I recommend working directly up the left drainage for a few minutes until it is possible to cut right, crossing open and somewhat loose slopes, to the drainage to the west. Follow this drainage up, passing a couple of mines, then work directly up the steep slope to the obvious saddle on the east side of Lamus Peak.

From the saddle, and intermittent social trail works up, mostly staying near the ridge, to the summit. Particularly near the summit, some route finding around looseness is required. The summit has spectacular views of the Great Salt Lake Desert to the east, and Jenkins Peak, looming to the west. Return the same way.


Maps

Full Route / 6.00 miles / Elevation Range 4,288 - 6,290 ft.
With High Clearance Vehicle / 3.09 miles / Elevation Range 5,004 - 6,290 ft.
Printable Maps:

Two Track

12T 259819mE 4527945mN

N40° 52' 03" W113° 50' 60"

Wash Crossing

12T 260311mE 4529794mN

N40° 53' 03" W113° 50' 41"

Pack Trail

12T 260628mE 4529869mN

N40° 53' 06" W113° 50' 28"

Mine Ruins

12T 260537mE 4529874mN

N40° 53' 06" W113° 50' 32"

Mines

12T 260946mE 4530179mN

N40° 53' 16" W113° 50' 15"

Mines

12T 260765mE 4530163mN

N40° 53' 15" W113° 50' 23"

Lamus Peak

12T 261223mE 4529841mN

N40° 53' 05" W113° 50' 03"

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