Big Mountain Summit Hike

What a find! Big mountain is a great hiking trail in the Central Wasatch that is even part of the historical Great Western Trail, the Mormon Trail, and the Donner Party Trail. The trailhead begins right across the parking lot for the Big Mountain Pass junction along the scenic UT-65. The first mile of the trail consists of winding switchbacks that provide great views of the surrounding Wasatch Mountains. Most of the elevation of this trail is climbed during these switchbacks. The switchbacks end when you meet a small forested area of aspens that show brilliant fall colors. The next mile is moderately flat, and the trail follows the ridge of the mountains until the final switchbacks up to the ascent of the summit. Those final turns are extremely grueling, but then its just a quick scramble up to the summit of Big Mountain. From the top you have an entire field of vision devoted to amazing views stretching from mountains, meadows, and the curving road below. The Great Western Trail continues onward from this point, but Big Mountain's summit is a great day hike with a round-trip distance of 4 miles.