There are a wide variety of activities that users partake in while in Twin Peaks Wilderness. These activities include hiking, trail running, camping, fishing, backcountry skiing and snowboarding and rock climbing. Users should remember that activities have special regulations due to their location in a wilderness and watershed area and some activities are prohibited. It is important to follow the Leave No Trace Seven Principles because they will help users reduce their impact and will help to preserve the wilderness for all to enjoy.
Mountain biking and swimming are prohibited in the Twin Peaks Wilderness. Biking is prohibited because it is a mechanical vehicle, which is not allowed in wilderness area. Biking is also banned in these areas because it can diminish the quality of solitude that users are seeking. This type of transportation allows for users to travel faster than hikers, which increases human encounters, which as a result lessens the feeling of solitude. Swimming is prohibited because Twin Peaks Wilderness is a watershed area. Swimming is banned in watershed areas because humans or dogs swimming in bodies of water that fall within watershed boundaries will contaminate the water and diminish the water quality.
Below is each activity and how to do it properly in a wilderness and decrease your impact:
Hiking/running
While hiking in wilderness areas there are certain rules to abide by so that the resource is protected. Do not cut switchbacks while hiking because this will leave a visible scar on the landscape and will degrade the feeling of solitude. That area will require restoration so it can go back to what it once was. Stay on trail and do not use user-made trails. User-made trails can increase the spread of invasive species in an area, can cause hikers to become lost, and can also kill vegetation that could be unique to the area or endangered. Properly dispose of human fecal matter by either packing it out in WAG bags or by digging a 6-8 inch deep hole at least 200 feet from a trail or water source. Popular hiking trail in Twin Peaks are Lake Blanche, Broads Fork, Stair Gulch, Ferguson Canyon to Storm Mountains, Mt. Superior Trail and more.
- More information about hiking/running in wilderness areas from the Forest Service can be found here.
Camping
Camp on durable surfaces or use existing camping sites so that new sites are not made. If you do not have a camp stove, fires are allowed in most areas. When having a campfire use existing fire rings, make sure fire is completely extinguished and spread ashes in wooded areas afterwards. Do not put trash in fire, but backpack it out instead. Campfires are not allowed in the Lake Blanche area due to it being one of two drainage areas in the Wasatch and being a highly used area. It is important to leave the dead wood instead of burning it because it provides homes to certain native animals, and its decomposition improves soil quality and is part of the ecosystem. Properly dispose of human fecal matter by either packing it out in WAG bags or by digging a 6-8 inch deep hole at least 200 feet from a trail or water source. Do not wash dishes in a body of water and if need be, do it at least 200 feet from any body of water.
- More information about camping in Wilderness Areas from the Forest Service can be found here.
Fishing
Fishing in National Forests requires a state fishing license. While fishing in the Wasatch Mountain, it is required to wear waders because of it being a watershed for Salt Lake City. Wash waders before going into new sources of water to stop the spread new species into an area. Do not transport parts of fish into other bodies of water. Properly dispose of human fecal matter by either packing it out in WAG bags or by digging a 6-8 inch deep hole at least 200 feet from a trail or water source. Popular fishing areas that are stocked with fish by plane are Lake Blanche, Florence and Lillian.
Skiing/Snowboarding:
Skiing and snowboarding are allowed in wilderness areas. To access these backcountry wilderness ski spots you must get their by foot, which means snowshoeing or skinning into the area. Accessing the area by snowmobile or any motorized vehicle is prohibited. The sounds, tracks and sighting of motorized vehicles diminishes the sense of solitude, and disturbs wildlife. Heli skiing is also prohibited in Wilderness Areas because the landing of any aircraft is prohibited. Properly dispose of human fecal matter by either packing it out in WAG bags or by digging a 6-8 inch deep hole at least 200 feet from a trail or water source. Popular backcountry areas for user are Bonkers, Powerhouse Coulier, Big West, Storm Mountain, Jenson’s Folly, Sunrise Peak, Diving Board. Go to Wasatch Backcountry Map to find more locations.
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is allowed in wilderness areas, but there are some points to remember when climbing in these areas. Bolts cannot be changed with a power drill, but must be changed with hand drills. Remember to pack out everything that is brought into the area. Properly dispose of human fecal matter by either packing it out in WAG bags or by digging a 6-8 inch deep hole at least 200 feet from a trail or water source. Place climbing pads and gear on durable surfaces. Remember to clean up chalk and tick marks. Also try and minimize your group size and noise. Popular spots to rock climb are Vector Madness Wall, Patty’s Ridge, Upper Sector, Geezer Wall, The Dead Snag, Main Slab and many more.
