Broadforks Twin Peaks Hike - June 7, 2014

Round Trip Mileage: 9.8
Round Trip Time: 10 Hours
Elevation Gain: 6,240 + 5,090
Book Page Reference: 133
Map Reference Number: 29
Difficulty Rating: Difficult

Broads Fork Twin Peaks, more frequently referred to simply as "Twin Peaks", is the highest and most prominent mountain on the eastern skyline behind Salt Lake Valley. With an elevation of 11,330 feet (east summit) and 11,328 feet (west summit), the Twins rise nearly 7,000 vertical feet above the valley floor.

The most commonly used ascent route is via Broads Fork, a class 3 climb of 5,100+ vertical feet with some scrambling and exposure. More difficult routes can be found in Broads Fork, as well as Deaf Smith Canyon, Ferguson Canyon, Tanners Gulch, Stairs Gulch, and Lisa Falls. The center of the Twin Peaks Wilderness Area, the peaks here are some of the most rugged to be found in the Wasatch. Needless to say, the summit views of Salt Lake City and the surrounding Wasatch Mountains are excellent.

Getting There

The Broads Fork trailhead is four miles up the Big Cottonwood Canyon road (UT-190). Get there by either Taking I-15 to I-215 east at about 60th south, or take I-80 east to Wasatch Boulevard. The parking lot fills quickly in the summer months.

Access to Deaf Smith is difficult and threatened by homeowners. The trail starts at the end of Golden Oaks Drive (just off Wasatch Boulevard) at a dirt road. Try to park in a manner that does not distrub the home owners.

Summary of Routes

Broads Fork Twin Peaks offers a variety of route options, ranging from relatively straight-forward 3rd class scrambles, to exposed 4th class ridges and steep spring snow climbs. Below is a brief summary of some of the more commonly ascended routes. Refer to the route pages for complete details on these routes.

The standard and by far the most popular route on the mountain. Even so, this is a challenging route which involves over 5,000 vertical feet of elevation gain, and an exposed 3rd class scramble.

1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


9


10


11


12


13


14


15


16


17


18


19 - The Meadows Area gave a great view of Dromedary Peak, O’Sullivan Peak, and the Eastern Twin Peak


20


21


22


23


24


25


26


27


28 - The lower area of the hill climb was loose shale. The snow was icy, hard and slippery.


29


30


31


32


33


34


35


36


37 - Loose Shale Rock and an elevation of 10,000 feet made the climb difficult.


38


39 - Ice melt made the ground muddy and slippery.


40


41 - A path that seemed clear before soon became blocked.


42


43


44


45


46 - The rock cliffs provided a wet, slippery path to higher ground.


47 - The rock ledge came out to a steep cliff.
Loose rocks and a slippery slope increased the danger of falling.
The thought of having to go back over the same route kept me moving forward.


48 - Getting a view of the Salt Lake Valley from the ridge.


49 - The Ridge Route was loose shale rock. Sharp rocks gave way constantly.


50


51


52 - A Mountain Goat navigated the Ridge Route 30 feet below.
The Ridge Route had no trail and there were many dead-ends.


53


54


55


56


57


58


59 - The Ridge Route to the Eastern Twin Peak looked dry. That would soon prove to be false.


60 - The sharp shale rocks constantly slid underfoot and injuries became more frequent.


61 - The higher ridge had more snow which was hard ice. Walking across snow was very slippery.


62 - This patch of snow was solid ice. A slip here could have sent me over the cliff.


63 - Large snow patches appeared. I fell while crossing this one and landed in the trees below.


64 - The summit of the Eastern Twin Peak. Elevation 11,330 feet. 2 feet higher than it’s twin.


65


66


67 - Summit view to the east of Dromedary Peak and O’Sullivan Peak.


68


69


70


71 - Russ pointing to the Western Twin Peak and the SLC Valley below.


72


73


74 - The Western Twin Peak. Elevation of 11,328. The snow was ice hard. Too slippery to cross.


75


76 - Deciding upon a route down was crucial. Steep cliffs and snow blocked many paths.


77 - The path to the East had too much snow.


78


79


80


81


82


83


84 - I chose the most direct path down in hopes snow would not block the way. This is looking up.


85 - The path down was loose shale, wet, slippery and very dangerous. I fell constantly.


86 - Sliding on loose rocks and icy snow resulted in many cuts and bruises.


87 - There were times when snow blocked the way.
Times when I slid on ice for many feet not knowing if I would slide off a cliff.
It was good to finally reach the bottom Meadows area.


88


89 - A final look back and a feeling of relief to be on solid ground.


90 - The trail from the Meadows area to the parking lot was over 4 miles.
I was out of water, dehydrated and feeling disoriented.
My legs were cramping, but stopping was not an option.


91 - Left Butt Cheek


92 - Left Butt Cheek


93 - Left Leg Lower Exterior


94 - Right Abdomen


95 - Right Abdomen


96 - Right Leg Lower Exterior


97 - Right Leg Lower Exterior


98 - Right Leg Lower Front


99 - Right Leg Upper Front