Majestic Trail to Clayton Peak

Summit of Clayton Peak (10,721)

The Majestic trail to Clayton Peak (elevation 10,721) traverses through the heart of Brighton Ski Resort.  Surprisingly, the majority of the trail is a very scenic path through a mature forest of spruce and only occasionally pops out to pass under a couple of ski lifts.  Clayton Peak is one of the easier peaks in the Wasatch mountains to summit providing exceptional views of the surrounding mountain peaks and beautiful green valleys.  To the southwest you have a spectacular view of Timpanogos, to the east lies Heber Valley with views down into Wasatch State Park golf course, and to the west are perfect views of all the mountain peaks that make up Big and Little Cottonwood canyons.  I couldn't choose a favorite view.  The hike begins by following the trail to Lake Mary from the Brighton ski resort parking area.  After 1/2 mile you will reach a junction with the trail for Lake Mary on the right and another 500 feet to Dog Lake on the left.  Head towards Dog Lake and you will soon find the small trail sign for Clayton Peak and you are on your way.  The trail is very easy to follow all the way to Snake Creek Pass.

Mountains of snow left over from the ski season.

Split rock is a fun landmark along the trail.

Snake Creek Pass

At Snake Creek Pass (elevation 10,040) we get our first view of Mount Timpanogos in all her glory.  Spend time enjoying this view, it is a great photo op.  From this point the trail to Clayton Peak follows the service road to the left.  This service road was very easy walking.  Most descriptions of the trail say that you follow this road for about 1/4 of a mile before finding the faint trail to the right which climbs to the summit of Clayton Peak.  Here is where the steep stuff begins, but you must persevere!  In just a short while you will be at the top!

Ski boundary.

Beautiful views of Mount Timpanogos

Our destination - Clayton Peak

Following the service road.

 Climbing Clayton

As the climb gets steeper I tend to take more rest stops which gives me an opportunity to take more pictures.  It is a boulder climb to the top, but the trail is visible.  The most prevalent wildflower on this mountain trail was a lovely, bright carpet phlox or also called moss phlox which in some spots covered entire small rocks.  We also came across a very old sleeping cot and an unopened can of potato flakes.  Someone tried setting up camp on the rocky ledges of Clayton Peak??? Strange!!  I'm usually very good at removing trash from the trail, but this was a little much for me to carry out. 

Carpet or Moss Phlox

Camping supplies??

A fellow hiker enjoying the view on summit.

Summit at 10,721 Feet

As I mentioned before the views from the summit of Clayton Peak make the work to get there worth every step.  We enjoyed a nice snack at the top and even shared a couple of nuts with the resident chipmunk.  There were also dozens of butterflies floating about.  Pictured below is my friend Martha as she makes the last boulder hop to the summit, birds-eye view of pretty Lackawaxen Lake, awesome view of American Fork Twin Peaks (11,489) with the Snowbird tram and the view of Mount Superior (11,132).

As we started down from the summit I noticed a Dream Catcher in one of the pines.  It is my dream that this wonderful wilderness we call Wasatch can be preserved for many future generations to enjoy.  

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Unfortunately, hiking through a ski resort area tends to be littered with a lot of trash.  I pick up what I can.  However, there is a wonderful organization that provides volunteer opportunities to clean up trails, restore damaged trails and remove invasive weeds.  It is the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation and on July 11, 2015 they are doing a mountain clean-up within the Alta ski area from 8:00 am until noon.  You will ride the ski lift up and help gather winter trash as you hike down beautiful Albion Basin.  Get Involved.  For more information check out this website: http://cottonwoodcanyons.org