Take I-80 west from Salt Lake City past Tooele to exit 84 (the second Grantsville exit). After exiting and curving slightly left, go straight. In a short distance is a dirt road going straight as the pavement curves left. There is also a railroad crossing where the dirt road starts. From here, the turn for the trailhead is 6.9 miles. Just stay on the main road the entire time. The turn is not marked at 6.9 miles but currently there is a sign saying "Stansbury Island Interpretive Trail, stay on roadway". The turn right is at the sign. If the sign goes away, 500 feet beyond is another sign saying no trespassing, stay on roadway. After leaving the main road, it's a quarter mile drive up to the trailhead. Lots of parking, no facilities.
If I were making a list of the top 50 peaks to climb near Salt Lake City, I would definitely be adding the south peak of Stansbury Island. It's rarely climbed yet one of the more challenging mountains and it is one of the few peaks in the Western Utah Desert that requires a class 3 route to summit. Most importantly, it can be climbed year round without too much snow. Because the causeway leading out to the island is so low, well graded and used by trucks hauling salt all winter, you're likely to be able to drive to the trailhead in any vehicle. You also have stunning views. With snow, the Lakeview, Cedar, Stansbury, Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountains look incredible. All this and being surrounded by the 37th largest lake in the world.
"Stansbury Island South Peak"
Distance: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1800 feet
Summit Elevation: 6,070 feet
Access: Paved
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Access:
Route:
Start walking toward the peak on easy gentle uphill terrain. Within a few minutes you options will become clear. You can cross a main draw going up the west face to it's right or a ridge to the left of the draw that goes up the same face, just a bit to the north. Either way, they both end at the upper face where the slope gets steep. This upper face is a maze full of rock obstacles, shoots and ledges all hiding among scenic junipers. Much of it is class 3 with several spots of low 5th class rock climbing. But, these sections of rock are short with no real exposure. If one were willing to explore every option, it might be possible to find an easier class 2 route. Once on the ridge, a series of false summits are encountered on the ridge traverse. The ridge climb has options. You could keep it mostly class 2 if you are willing to descend here and there but the rock is surprisingly solid for some nice class 3 or 4 routes.
View from south while approaching it
Stansbury South from the north
Stansbury South in the summer
Stansbury in winter with route I took
First false summit
North end of the Oquirrh Mountains in distance
North end of the Oquirrh Mountains in distance
North from the summit to the Stansbury Island highpoint
Class 3 route
Rocks on the summit ridge
Looking south where I first hit the ridge with the Stansbury Mountains in the distance
Turn right at this sign
Big flake right below the summit
Looking west to the Lakeview Mountains
You could also start at the end of the Fenceline road to the north of the mountain bike trailhead. An ATV trail will take you up to the saddle to the east of point 4729.
Last bit to the summit (see the cairn)