Grandview Peak - Salt Lake City

Distance: 21+ miles RT
Elevation Gain: 4,400ish feet RT
Summit Elevation: 9,410, 8,901 & 8,580
Access: Paved

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I'd first like to say, don't climb Grandview Peak from this direction. Because I was already looking to climb the two Swallow Rocks Peaks, I thought I may as well grab Grandview as well. This is a long ridge traverse but one I looked forward to hiking...especially in November when other areas were under snow. This turned out to be a 21+ mile round trip event, more than I bargained for. I would recommend Swallow Rocks here but Grandview could be climbed easier from City Creek or the high road out of Bountiful. If considering this traverse, be sure to have a full day, a cooler day (no shade) and no thunderstorms (most is ridgeline). The map below also shows East Session Mountain summit but I just ran out of time....it was so close. Big Mountain is also near the start of the route.

Cross the road and start up the trail gaining elevation quickly. The first half mile is a big gain in elevation. Soon you top out on ridges, working across much easier terrain traversing just below Big Mountain. After the next knob you drop down to a road. I'm checking for more info on it to see if the public has access or if it is reserved for the "East Canyon Resort". As you walk the road, which is also the Great Western Trail, you'll see private property signs for the resort on the north side of the road. Follow the road west until you reach a nice sign with a left trail going toward "Swallow Rocks" or the road right to "Panorama Point". To climb "Swallow Rock North", follow the road right until it hits the south saddle of the peak. It is an easy scramble up from that point. To climb "Swallow Rocks Peak", take the north or east ridge up to the rocks and then up to the highpoint. There is a trail in places. If continuing on to Grandview, the south ridge has a climbers/game trail on the west side of the ridgeline until you meet up with the official trail at a pass (see map for all this!). Working west, soon the trail splits (no sign), left to the Lookout Mountain area and right to Sessions Mountains. A big 400' decent and then a 500' ascent is required before you are able to cut left on a faint trail down to the north ridge of Grandview Peak. Climbing the north ridge, you will have a trail at times but expect a bit of easy brush. The summit is truly grand, Grandview has over 1,900 feet of prominence which puts it into the top 100 Utah Prominent Peaks. A mailbox register is just below the summit. If you can arrange it, continuing the traverse northwest on the Great Western Trail climbing the two peaks of the Sessions Mountains would make a fabulous trip.

From I-80 in Parleys Canyon, take the East Canyon Exit 134 (Highway 65) north 8 miles to Big Mountain Pass. Park in the large dirt lot at this historic pass.

"Swallow Rocks Peak"

Trail sign with "Swallow Rocks North" in far distance

"Swallow Rocks North"

An idea of the distance covered and this is from just below Big Mountain, 2 miles into the hike already.

"Swallow Rocks Peak"

"Swallow Rocks North"

I started at 6 a.m. (in November) so this was one of the first shots from just past Big Mountain

Sunrise on Grandview Peak...so far away. What was I thinking...I had to be back home by 3:30!

Continues on
map below

Continues from map above

Navy: is the Great Western Trail Black: is the 4WD road that came from somewhere
Yellow: is off trail although minor trails existed in all these places

Salt Lake Valley from the summit of Grandview Peak

The last scramble up Grandview Peak north ridge route

Panoramic of the view to the north of Grandview Peak

From "Swallow Rocks Peak" with Dead Ox and Lewis in the distance

Grandview Peak and Swallow Rocks Peaks