Twin Peaks Wilderness

Located in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Utah.

The Twin Peaks Wilderness is located in north central Utah, adjacent Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Twin Peaks Wilderness was established by Congress in 1984 with the passage of the Utah Wilderness Act. Located within the central Wasatch range on the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, the Twin Peaks Wilderness consists of approximately 11,000 acres and is generally bounded on the north by Big Cottonwood Canyon, on the south by Little Cottonwood Canyon, on the west by the Salt Lake Valley and on the east by Mineral Fork of Big Cottonwood Canyon.

The Twin Peaks Wilderness provides a spectacular backdrop for the Salt Lake Valley and is dominated by rugged terrain, narrow canyons and high peaks, including Twin Peaks, Superior Peak and Dromedary Peak. The geologic structure of the area is varied and complex, consisting of granitoid rock masses and several sedimentary formations. Carving of the present alpine topography is due to glaciation with erosion 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 reservoired lakes add to the scenic beauty. Vegetation includes dense mountain brush mixed with sagebrush and grass. Patches of various firs and aspen are common in isolated patches on north facing slopes. Snow remains in some areas until mid-summer.

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, this wilderness is part of the culinary watershed for Salt Lake County and special restrictions concerning camping, swimming and domestic animals apply. Please help protect this wilderness for future generations by learning and practicing No-Trace camping and hiking techniques.

The following acts are prohibited in the Twin Peaks Wilderness Area: Group sizes exceeding 10 persons for overnight use, camping within 200 feet 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. No open fires are allowed in the Mill B South Fork drainage within the Twin Peaks Wilderness.

Trails in the Wilderness area rated moderate to severe with elevations from just under 5,000 feet to over 11,300 feet. Trails are easy to follow, but may cross extremely rough terrain at high elevations. Usage of the area is light to heavy, especially heavy on weekends and near lakes.

Summer temperatures can range from near 90 degrees in the daytime to below 40 degrees at night. Occasional summer thundershowers can be expected.

For more information contact: The Wasatch-Cache National Forest