There are a wide variety of activities that users can partake in while enjoying Lone Peak 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 that some activities are prohibited. It is important to follow the Seven Leave No Trace Principles because they will help users reduce their impact and will help to preserve the wilderness for all to enjoy. Mountain biking is prohibited and so is swimming in most areas in the Lone Peak Wilderness. Biking is prohibited because it is a mechanical vehicle which is not allowed in wilderness areas. 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, lessening the feeling of solitude. Swimming is prohibited because most of Lone Peak Wilderness is a watershed area. Swimming is banned in watershed areas because humans or dogs swimming in bodies of water in watershed areas will contaminate the water and diminish water quality.
To learn about commonly asked questions and how to recreate in a wilderness area:
https://www.wildernessinquiry.org/about-wilderness-inquiry/frequently-asked-questions/
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 trails in Lone Peak Wilderness are Red Pine Lake Trail, Jacob’s Ladder Trail, White Pine Lake Trail and Maybird Lakes Trail.
For more information about hiking/running in wilderness areas:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/uwcnf/learning/safety-ethics/?cid=FSEM_035476
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 Silver Lake Basin, Red Pine and Maybird Drainages because they are highly used areas. It is important to leave dead wood instead of burning it because it provides homes to certain native animals, and its decomposition improves soil quality and is a component 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.
For more information about camping in Wilderness Areas:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/uwcnf/learning/safety-ethics/?cid=FSEM_035476
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 of 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 Lower Bells Canyon Reservoir, Lake Hardy, Silver Lake, White Pine Lake and Red Pine Lake.
For more information about camping in Wilderness Areas:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/uwcnf/learning/safety-ethics/?cid=FSEM_035476
Skiing/Snowboarding:
Skiing and snowboarding are allowed in wilderness areas. To access these backcountry wilderness ski spots you must get there 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 users are Thunder Mountain Bowl, Thunder Chute, Blue Bells, Little Bell, The Silver and Coal Pit Couloirs . Go to Wasatch Backcountry Map to find more locations.
For more about backcountry skiing/snowboarding ethics:
https://www.wildsnow.com/2012/backcountry-skier-code-ethics/
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 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 Center Thumb, Triple Overhangs, Summit Wall and South Summit Wall.
For more about climbing ethics:
https://www.accessfund.org/learn/the-climbers-pact
Salt Lake Climbers Alliance:
https://www.saltlakeclimbers.org
Contacts:
Pleasant Grove Ranger District
390 NORTH 100 EAST PLEASANT GROVE, UT 84062
Phone: 801-785-3563
Salt Lake Ranger District
6944 SOUTH 3000 EAST SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84121
Phone: 801-733-2660
