Box Elder Peak via Deer Creek-Dry Creek Trail is a 10.2 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Alpine, Utah that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from June until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
Know Before You Go. This trail accesses or travels through potential avalanche terrain. For more information and to read the daily avalanche forecast please visit: https://utahavalanchecenter.org This route can be turned into a loop by going past the peak, and then returning to the parking area via the Box Elder Trail.
September 30, 2020Hiked this last Friday (9/26). Great hike. Maples were all red and aspens were just turning yellow. 2 major sections of climb: one in the middle and one at the end. The climb at the end was steep (almost scrambling) mostly through trees with a decently defined trail. Great views at top even with the smoke.
September 28, 2020Beautiful and surprisingly difficult hike. The first section is relatively tame. The middle section is flat and downhill (which makes the return trip more difficult). The final section is incredibly steep, just about as steep as can get without scrambling. This is all to say that the elevation is not evenly distributed (compared to a hike like Lone Peak, which is just steep the entire way). Worth the effort though. Also brutally windy at the top today.
September 26, 2020Fun trail. Lots of views. Not very busy and it was a Saturday morning! I ended up taking the White Canyon trail down. AllTrails doesn't have it marked but several people have recorded it.
September 26, 2020We had a group of 3 that hiked the summit yesterday. Beautiful Fall colors as the trees were turning and the temperatures were perfect at all elevations. There is exposure on half the hike and I can’t imagine doing it in July or August even with an early start. Still bring plenty of water, I went through 3 liters. The trail is overgrown a bit here and there with scrub oak. We did an out and back instead of the alternate loop that adds mileage. I think we stayed on the trail pretty well and didn’t get lost but All Trails clocked this at 11 miles but my Apple Watch showed 6 miles to the summit before the battery went dead. We did the first 2/3 at the pace we planned but the last 1.5 mile gains about 1800 feet and took us 1.5 hours. No scramble until the very end, just a trail with a steep pitch. There are places that have loose dirt and scree. The end scramble is relatively easy and lasts less than a minute. The views were great even with smoke - Timp, Lone Peak, Pfeifferhorn, Utah and Salt Lake Valleys. This link was helpful to see weather at the https://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Box-Elder-Peak/forecasts/3384
September 19, 2020fantastic loved the fall colors
September 16, 2020This trail is amazing in the fall! You can see the bright greens that are hanging on as well as the reds and oranges from the fall leaves! Despite the hot scrub oak section (between mile 1 to 3) it is a fun trail, although quite challenging. This was my 30th peak summit of the year and it still was tough! It's definitely worth it to complete the loop to hit South Box Elder Peak and head back to the trailhead via the Box Elder Trail. It's a bit longer, but great views the whole way! I saw mountain goats, deer, moose, and golden eagles! I will be coming back!
September 16, 2020September 13, 2020Left the trailhead at 5:45 am and enjoyed a beautiful sunrise on the way up as we overlooked Silver Lake, Silver Lake Flat and Tibble Fork Reservoirs. The trail was well marked, well maintained and the entire trip up and down was gorgeous. The fall colors are starting to show. The first 3/4 of the hike weren't too strenuous, but the incline on the last mile up to the top is no joke! Very, very steep but of course rewarding. The views from up top were spectacular. I enjoyed this trail and definitely recommend it.
September 12, 2020I have done most of the major peaks and this one really stuck it to me. I think it’s my favorite peak so far- even with having some altitude sickness during the last 2000 ft of climbing. It was VERY steep and triggered my asthma. Bring your inhaler! The view at the top is unparalleled! Made it up in 2:45. Wish we could have stayed longer but it was very cold and super windy. Definitely doing this one again! The whole hike is beautiful in my opinion. Came down in the dark to lots of fresh moose poo so you probably have a good chance of seeing moose at some point! Just beautiful!
September 8, 2020Great hike. If it wasn’t for the hot, dry ugly scrub oak mid section of this trail it could be 5 star. The steep parts are indeed steep but pretty stable, not a lot of slippery scree like many summit hikes along the wasatch.
September 6, 2020It’s as steep as everyone says but there is a nice stopping point at about 3.5 miles. Beautiful views! Go as early as you can to escape the heat.
September 6, 2020It’s not too bad until the summit climb. Very steep on the push to the top like the other reviewers have said.
August 30, 2020Loved finally conquering this peak! Leave early to escape the heat as there isn’t a ton of shade. Highly recommend hiking poles as well for the last mile. When you think you are there, you really aren’t so be prepared.
August 29, 2020August 26, 2020Hiked this trail August 22 2020. Very steep, so trekking poles are a lifesaver to have! Once we got to mile 4.5 you start the steeper climb to the ridge line, there are two paths, one is exposed to the left and the other is tucked in some trees offering some sweet shade. Started the hike around 8am, had some great shaded trail for majority of the hike. Slight scramble at the top(nothing extreme). Great views! And enjoyed all the butterflies at peak! The hike offered a varied of terrain and loved it all! Bring lots of water!
August 25, 2020Extremely steep for the entire 11.5 miles. The last 1.5 is even steeper. The 360 views at the top of Timpanogas, White Baldy, Pfeifferhorn, Twin Peaks and Lone Peak are outstanding! Not much to look at until the last 1.5. Beautiful ridge walk. This hike is just under 5000 ft of elevation gain
August 23, 2020Love this trail. Not crowded like other trails. Very cool and shady
August 17, 2020Hiked this trail August 15, 2020. Not very crowded despite the opening day of the Deer Hunt. Took us 3 hours up and 2 hours down. The last mile is extremely steep and slow both up and down... take poles. Trail is rocky but in great shape! The views from the top are worth the hard hike!
