Distance: Both under 1 mile
Elevation Gain: 1,000 & 500 feet
Summit Elevation: 7,444 & 6,856 feet
Access: Any vehicle
Access:
Junior Johnson Route:
"Johnson Pass Peak" & "Junior Johnson"
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Here are two peaks you can grab if you find yourself with a little extra time on your way back from....well nowhere. Because Johnson Pass is paved and open year round, these peaks could be good anytime. The higher Johnson Pass Peak is a good viewpoint. Both are on the south side of the highway, you can also access Vickory Peak by going north from the pass.
You can park just off the pavement in the dirt or attempt the 4WD road. This road goes over half way to the summit. I made it about half way before parking. Surprisingly, there is a lone picnic table just before I parked. Someone put it at a small camp spot with a fire ring. The brush narrows the road the last bit and the road gets rougher but there is a big turn around at the top if you can make it. From the turn-around, you can see the final bump but you must descend about 80 vertical feet to get to the last climb. A faint trail exists on the north side of the ridge once past a rocky section.
Take Hwy 73 east out of Lehi or Hwy 36 south out of Tooele. Follow Hwy 199 west through Rush Valley up to Johnson Pass. For Junior Johnson, the access road branches left a few curves before Johnson Pass. For Johnson Pass Peak, go to a large dirt parking area at the pass on the south side.
Johnson Pass Peak:
A short road climbs from the pass up this peak as well. I don't like leaving my car next to paved roads so I got up to near it's end. From there, it's a simple steep hill climb to the summit. There isn't much shade on this one except at the top which is quite nice with junipers, grass and flowers.
Junior Johnson from the 4WD turn-around
Junior Johnson nearing the pass
Junior Johnson in route from Rush Valley
Showing route up Junior Johnson to the 4WD turn-round, Johnson Pass and 4WD road (my car) for Johnson Pass Peak
Johnson Pass peak and pass from Junior Johnson
Bald Mountain in the Stansbury Mountains
Onaqui Mountains
Vickory Mountain
Oquirrh Mountains
Route up Johnson Pass Peak
Route up Johnson Pass Peak
Summit area of Johnson Pass Peak
Summit area of Johnson Pass Peak