Wasatch Mountains - Salt Lake City, Utah
Jacobs Ladder to Draper Ridge
Lone Peak is such an extreme journey, you don't want to take
any wrong turns, especially in summer. There is no water this
time of year, except for small patches of snow beneath the
actual summit wall (and sometimes not even there), so bring
about 2 gallons, I brought about 1 gallon, and as a result
became very dehydrated (hallucinating on the way down, and
I couldn't eat for a day after).
Here are some directions to help you find your way, however
don't count on these directions alone. If you get lost or
confused it's still your fault. If you aren't mature enough
to accept responsibility, bring your Mommy or stay home. This
hike, like any hike is only for people who have prepared,
trained and studied for it. The average person will find this
hike EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.
INFO Jacobs Ladder Route
5.5 miles long
5,650' elevation gain
5-6 hours walking
Lone Peak 11,253'
Drive to the Corner Canyon Road in Draper.
After the gate go 2.6 miles, if you find yourself making a
big turn around a bend to the left, you've gone too far, it
is the turn off with the 3 steep jeep trails just before the
bend.
Soon after beginning this trail you will come to a hill that
has a road that goes north down the hill and a road that goes
right (east). Take the road to the right (east)
Follow this spur ridge until it comes to a cliff edge and
then continue left (north).
You should be able to see Lone Peak from most of this trail.
Now the pain begins. This is the Jacobs Ladder. In the summer
it is steep, hot and very dusty. It will take you from 1.5
to 2.5 hours to reach the top of this ridge.
Once you reach the top of this ridge, the physical difficulty
is over (not entirely)
If you give up here, people will laugh at you. Continue into
the beautiful meadow. That's where we camped, left our packs
and summited Lone Peak, then returned.
Follow the main trail east (don't accidentally take the Outlaw
Cabin Trail). Carefully look for the rock cairns all the way
to the Lone Peak Summit Ridge. You won't need to climb to
get on this ridge, if you follow the right path.
Once on the ridge follow the trail, it will make your life
much easier, Just be patient and as relaxed as possible, and
you will make it to the top.
The trail eventually reaches the ridge line near the peak,
now you need to be very alert and scramble over the giant
granite blocks all the way up to the summit.
Gloria was a little nervous the previous night, because she
has a fear of heights, but she did just fine. Just remain
calm and you will too.
An outcrop of limestone known as Storm Window Arch -
As seen from the beginning of the trail.
Walking along the spur ridge which connects to Jacobs Ladder.
Above is Movie Rocks an outcrop of limestone
where part of the 1968 movie "The Devil's Brigade" was filmed.
From near the top of the Jacobs Ladder Trail looking south
towards the spur ridge that was shown in the previous picture.
The rock cliffs on the far left are called "Lone Rock"
After the Draper Ridge, you will come to a meadow.
This picture shows a left turn that begins going north.
Don't take it unless you want to go to the Outlaw Cabin.
Continue going along the main trail to get to Lone Peak.
Almost to the Lone Peak Cirque, you will reach this area.
The fastest way to the summit is to turn left (north) here,
and follow the rock cairns to the ridge.
This will bypass the actual cirque floor and the possible snow below
the peak.
From the Lone Peak Ridge looking up the last section of trail
that cuts diagonally up the this section of ridge.
The Lone Peak Summit sits in the background.
Pay close attention as you are approaching,
so that you don't have an epic experience on your way back.
Here is a picture looking west while going the correct way back,
study the rock structure so you don't make any mistakes.
Marmota monax
AKA: Woodchuck, Groundhog, or Whistlepig
48 ) Marmota monax | 
46 ) Lone Peak Cirque | 
3 ) map of Mt. Olympus |