My Friend Says He Hates Hiking …So We Went Backpacking

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3 Days of Hiking, Backpacking, and Camping in Northern Utah’s Stansbury Mountain Range.

For the adventure, Kyle and I decided to do a fall backpacking loop just outside of Salt Lake City, with the 11,000 foot Deseret Peak as our main focal point.

Located about 20 miles west of Salt Lake City, the Stansbury Mountains are a 28-mile long range with an average elevation of around 8,000 feet or so.   It is named for U.S. Army Major Howard Stansbury, a topographical engineer, who led an expedition that surveyed the region back in the 1860’s.

For sleep and shelter I packed in my trusty trekking pole tent, a three-season inflatable sleeping pad, and a 30 degree sleeping bag for the expected lows going down to just above freezing or so.  Kyle went with similar setup, swapping the 20 degree sleeping bag for a warmer 15 degree quilt, and a lighter trekking pole tent made of Dyneema fiber.

Standing at 11,022 feet, Deseret Peak the tallest peak on the Stansbury Range, and offers stunning 360 degree views of the surrounding Great Salt Lake and the Bonneville Salt Flats.  There’s also a nearby Air Force Base, as well some U.S. Army proving grounds nearby.  The latter made for some interesting sights on day two, to say the least…

Check out Kyle’s Channels on YouTube

Kyle Hates Hiking – for Spooky Scary Outdoor Stories
Trail Tales Podcast – For fun and in depth backpacking talk

Trailhead Used
Stansbury Front Trail – OP Miller Campground
Forest Rd 001, Dugway, UT 84022
40.52799098486984, -112.5918796076991

Season / Time of Year
Fall – Late September

Trails Used Day 1

  • Stansbury Crest Trail
  • Mining Fork Trail to South Willow Lake
  • Setup Camp near South Willow Lake

Day 1 Mileage: 4.75 Miles
Day 1 Elevation Gross Gain: 3,056′
Day 1 Elevation Gross Descent: 285′

Trails Used Day 2

  • Mining Fork Trail
  • Stansbury Crest Trail (with a stop at Deseret Peak)
  • Mill Fork Canyon Trail
  • Road Hike South Willow Canyon Road
  • Camp at National Forest Service Boy Scout Camp

Day 2 Mileage: 12 Miles
Day 2 Elevation Gross Gain: 3,105′
Day 2 Elevation Gross Descent: 5,738′

Trails Used Day 3

  • Stansbury Front Trail
  • Return to Parking Lot at OP Miller Campsite

Day 3 Mileage: 3.5 Miles
Day 3 Elevation Gross Gain: 855′
Day 3 Elevation Gross Descent: 1,055′

Grand Total 3 Day Mileage: 20.25 Miles
Grand Total 3 Day Elevation Gain: 7,016′

FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through some of my links.

Notable Backpacking Gear Used on this Trip