Copperbelt Peak

July 4, 2018

While some hikes have a spectacular view, or waterfall, or lake as the destination,  the hike I’ve chosen for you this week has astonishing views in all directions the entire four miles!  That’s because your vehicle’s engine does all the elevation gain for you and you get to soak up the views as you hike east along the ridge dividing Bullion Canyon and Beaver Creek Canyon in the heart of the great peaks of the Tushars.  This is an intermediate to advanced hike though, taking into account it is all at 11’000’ and it’s not an official trail shown on maps. It is also 9.7 miles up the Big John’s road(F.R. 123) which is dirt road and has some narrow, hairpin turns and NOT enjoyed by acrophobics.  Also don’t drive or hike here above Mud Lake if there is any chance of thundershowers. By airing down your tires 40% and taking it slow, most vehicles can make this drive. Alternately, the “scary” section of this road, Big John’s Flat to the Bullion Pasture T.H. is open to ATVs and Side by Sides because it is part of the Paiute 01 Trail.  Travel up Beaver Cyn., Ut. Hwy 153 to mm 16, hang a left on F.R. 123, travel the 9.7 miles mentioned earlier and park at Bullion Pasture Trail Head. Walk back out to the main road and count 50 paces north of the parking area turn off, and there on the right you will find the start of this awesome trail. The first half mile is along a scree slope of caramel colored rock heading east towards Marysvale.  Here and there the tread is faint to nonexistent, but scramble around the first craggy knob you come to on it’s south flank and you’ll pick it back up as you head toward Purple Peak, ahead of you and slightly left. No need to explain the naming of this Mtn., but to confirm which is which, it’s northern flank is a stark contrasting vanilla ish white soil. Two miles further east from P.P. you can bag Copperbelt peak which also has a little cream colored buddy knob just to it’s north and a distinct nipple when viewed from the west.  The fantastic surprises you’ll encounter include carpets of lovely white phlox, a beautiful fuchsia colored indian paintbrush, views of the sinuous Sevier River way down below, and Big Bald Peaks in every direction. It may be elk, mule deer, mtn. goats, marmots, Clark's nutcrackers, or bear, but you’ll definitely see wildlife so take along those binos!

This exploration is at least a half day, even if you’re camped at Big Johns, but allow an hour and a half to drive here from Beaver and this out and back ridgeline hike is 8 miles if you tackle Copperbelt Peak, so allow 4 to 5 hours for oohing and awing. Wear sunscreen! Take plenty of water and snacks, map, headlamp, camera, phone, warm jacket, and tell someone back at camp of your plan.  Hiking above timberline is risky and rewarding, when it’s good it’s very good, but when it’s bad, it can be BAD. There is extreme weather and lightning exposure so don’t go here if skies are threatening! Down below this hike, to the North, is “Big Meadow” and a mining road labeled as Forest Trail 215 zig-zags down to it and you could start from there also if you’re feeling a masochistic thigh burner!  Make wise decisions for you and your group as you scout one of many inspiring ridgelines running “Into the Tushars”.