Weekend Backpacker: Salt Lake City

Mount Nebo

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Mount Nebo sits like a crown jewel on the Wasatch Front between Payson and Provo, all 11,877 feet of it. You can count on the Mount Nebo Wilderness Area to provide a solitary hiking and camping experience compared to the more popular Timpanogos Wilderness.

Recommended Hike

To hike to the top of Mount Nebo, begin at the Andrews Canyon trailhead, just a short distance above the Ponderosa campground in Salt Creek Canyon. You will start out at 5,500 feet and hike through oak brush and maple forests that give way to conifer stands as you ascend above treeline to the top of Mount Nebo. This is a moderate hike of about 8 miles and takes about 8 hours round-trip. For an overnight experience, camp in the conifer area before heading back down.

If you want to go further, pick up Willow Creek Canyon trail on the northside of Mount Nebo's summit. This trail connects to the Nebo Bench Trail and many others. See the Nebo Unit Trail Guide if you are planning a longer hike.

Maps

Trail maps are available at the Uinta National Forest office in Spanish Fork. Ask for the Uinta National Forest map or the Uinta National Forest Trails Illustrated map.

Camping

Wilderness camping along the trail is permitted. There are 23 sites at the Ponderosa Campground for a fee of $11 per day. Permits can be obtained fromthe camp host. No reservations required.

Permits

No permit is required for wilderness camping or hiking.

Getting There

From Nephi, head east up the Salt Creek Canyon on Highway 132 andfollow the signs along the Mount Nebo Scenic Byway. Take the Byway to thetrailhead, where parking is available. Ponderosa Campground is less than a half-mile from the trailhead.