The Lone Peak Wilderness provides a spectacular backdrop for the growing urban areas along the Wasatch Front and is dominated by rugged terrain, narrow canyons, and high peaks, including the Pfeifferhorn, commonly referred to as Little Matterhorn Peak, at 11,326 feet (3,452 m) and Lone Peak at 11,253 feet (3,430 meters). The geologic structure of the area is varied and complex, consisting of granitoid rock masses and several sedimentary formations. The carving of the present alpine topography is due to glaciation, with erosion being the current dominant force in the land sculpturing process. Much of the higher elevation is alpine, characterized by large, open cirque basins and exposed rocky ridges. A few small natural and reservoir lakes add to the scenic beauty.
To preserve and protect the physical and aesthetic environment, National Forest wildernesses are closed to motor vehicles, motorized equipment, hang gliders, and bicycles. In addition, parts of this wilderness lie within the culinary watershed for Salt Lake County, and special restrictions concerning camping, swimming, and domestic animals apply.
The following acts are prohibited in the Lone Peak Wilderness Area:
- Group sizes exceeding 10 people for overnight use
- Camping within 200 feet (61 m) of lakes, trails, or other sources of water
- Camping for a period of 3 days at an individual site
- Short-cutting a trail switchback, and
- Disposing of garbage, debris, or other waste.
Additionally, open fires are not allowed in the Red Pine Lake, Red Pine Fork, and Maybird Gulch drainages within the wilderness.
Most trails are rated moderate to severe, with elevations ranging from 5,500 ft 0 in (1,676 m) to more than 11,000 ft 0 in (3,353 m). Trails are easy to follow but may cross extremely rough terrain at high elevations. The use of the area is light to moderate, heaviest on weekends and during hunting seasons.
Summer temperatures can range from near 90 °F (32 °C) in the daytime to below 40 °F (4 °C) at night. Occasional summer thundershowers can be expected.[3]
- Lynna P. Howard, Utah's Wilderness Areas: The Complete Guide (Westcliffe Publishers, 2005) ISBN 1-56579-388-9
- Bill Cunningham & Polly Burke, Wild Utah: A Guide to 45 Roadless Recreation Areas (Falcon Publishing, 1998) ISBN 1-56044-616-1
- U.S. Forest Service map, Lone Peak & Mt. Timpanogos Wildernesses (U.S. Forest Service, 2004) ISBN 1-59351-305-4