Hiking Volcano Peak
Silver Island Mountains

Overview

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RATING: Easy/Moderate Hike

LENGTH: 1-2 hours (1 mile)

MAPS: TETZLAFF PEAK, UT

Wed

79 | 51

Thu

69 | 55

Fri

57 | 37

Sat

66 | 40

Sun

74 | 48

View Full Weather Details

SEASON: Fall, Spring

GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear

WATER: None.

NOTES: The road is generally accessible by all vehicles, though the last mile may need to be walked depending on how low clearance your low clearance vehicle is.

Wed

79 | 51

Thu

69 | 55

Fri

57 | 37

Sat

66 | 40

Sun

74 | 48

View Full Weather Details

View from the saddle. The trail goes from bottom right to top middle of the photo.

One of the most accessible peaks in the Silver Island Mountains is Volcano Peak. The peak, a volcanic plug, is accessible both because of its driving distance, but also its hiking distance. At about 0.5 miles and 800 feet of elevation gain one way, the hike is short, but also steep! Because the hike is popular, there is a social trail that is easy to find and follow to the summit. Did I mention the hike is steep and loose in spots?!?! I, carrying a toddler in a backpack, found coming down quite challenging.

Note: On our trip, Desert Sheep guarded the last 10 vertical feet to the summit and were not interested in leaving. If you encounter sheep, given them space!

View north from the saddle.

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 - Stay left on paved road. Right is the east side of the Silver Island Byway. ( 12T 248455mE 4517420mN / N40° 46' 09" W113° 58' 49" )
4.35 miles - Go right at a junction just before a large building. The road turns to graded dirt road from here. ( 11T 752979mE 4520669mN / N40° 47' 53" W114° 00' 05" )
5.4 miles - Volcano Peak side road. Turn right onto the lesser two track. ( 12T 247437mE 4522225mN / N40° 48' 44" W113° 59' 40" )
Volcano Side Road - Stay straight for 800 feet, then merge left onto another dirt road. Stay on this dirt road as it heads south. ( 12T 247585mE 4522032mN / N40° 48' 38" W113° 59' 33" )
Volcano Side Road - 0.75 miles - Take the side road. It climbs steeply to the trailhead. High clearance recommended, but a sedan had made it on the day we visited. There is one particularly rough spot right before the trailhead. ( 12T 247833mE 4521129mN / N40° 48' 09" W113° 59' 21" )
Volcano Side Road - 1.25 miles - Trailhead and end of road. ( 12T 248508mE 4520887mN / N40° 48' 02" W113° 58' 52" )

Diane and Abby heading back down.

Route

From the trailhead, a social trail goes up the obvious wash toward the peak. When the wash bends left, the social trail makes a steep, loose climb up the dirt slope. Once up the slope, the social trails contour around the left shoulder of the sub-peak to a small saddle. The saddle has great views all around.

The saddle gives a bit of a daunting view to the final few hundred feet to the summit. Follow the chute left of the saddle. Though it looks tricky, it is reasonable if you follow the social trail and route find well. The summit is to the right of the arch/window. If it seems hard, look around, you may be off route. It was within Wonder Dog Abby’s abilities, though she is talented. There was (as of 2020) a small summit register in a can. This is to the right once you reach the top, thought the summit to the left looks almost equal height.

Arch Side Trip: Visiting the arch/window is a short side trip from the summit but is loose with some exposure. From the summit, head down and at once begin working right. A loose trail leads down and north slightly. The arch is just a couple of minutes from the summit but requires a bit of careful route finding to reach. From the arch, either retrace your steps back to the summit (recommended), or follow the steep loose social trails down and left back to the approach trail. The area is loose with some exposure in spots. Use caution!

Return the same way, being very careful on the loose sections.