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Deseret Peak facts for kids

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Deseret Peak
Deseret Peak.jpg
Highest point
Elevation 11,035 ft (3,363 m) NAVD 88
Prominence 5,812 ft (1,771 m)
Listing
Geography
Deseret Peak is located in Utah
Deseret Peak
Deseret Peak
Location in Utah
Location Tooele County, Utah, U.S.
Parent range Stansbury Mountains
Topo map USGS Deseret Peak West

Deseret Peak is the highest point in the Stansbury Mountains in Utah. It stands tall at 11,035 feet (about 3,363 meters) above sea level. This amazing mountain is found in the Deseret Peak Wilderness area. It's located west of Grantsville, Utah and east of the Skull Valley Indian Reservation.

This mountain is very popular for people who love to hike and ski. The area is special because it has both cool, high-up "alpine" areas and warm, dry "desert" areas nearby. It's easy to get to the mountain trails from Salt Lake City. From the top, you can see amazing views of the Bonneville Salt Flats, the Great Salt Lake, and other mountains. On a clear day, you might even spot Mount Nebo, which is the highest peak in the nearby Wasatch Mountains.

Twin Couloirs, Deseret Peak
The Twin Couloirs on Deseret Peak, a popular spot for backcountry skiing

Getting There: Your Adventure Guide

If you want to visit Deseret Peak, here's how to get there from Salt Lake City:

  • Take Interstate 80 west from the city.
  • Get off at Exit 88 for Grantsville.
  • Turn south onto Burmeister Road until you reach Grantsville's Main Street (Utah State Route 138).
  • Go west on Grantsville Main Street until you reach 200 West, also called "West Street."
  • Turn south on West Street. It will curve southwest at the edge of Grantsville and become "Mormon Trail Road."
  • Follow Mormon Trail Road southwest to South Willow Canyon Road.
  • Take South Willow Canyon Road west to its end. You'll find parking there near the top of South Willow Canyon.

From the parking area, there's a 7.4-mile trail that goes up and back. You'll climb about 3,595 feet to reach the top! During winter, the upper parking areas are closed because of snow. They usually open completely in May.

Weather on the Mountain

The weather on Deseret Peak changes a lot with the seasons. In winter, it's very cold, with average temperatures around 19 degrees Fahrenheit (about -7 Celsius). There's also a lot of snow.

As spring arrives, the temperatures slowly rise. Summers are much warmer, with average temperatures in July around 56 degrees Fahrenheit (about 13 Celsius). Even in summer, it can get chilly at night. The mountain gets a good amount of rain and snow throughout the year, especially in winter and spring.

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