Loafer Mountain Trail

Trail was re-opened in August 2019 after having been closed due to burn damage from 2018 Bald Mountain fire. Trail is long and steep, but does have unique and beautiful views down onto the Payson Lakes area, Mt Nebo, and towards Mt. Pleasant/Moroni valley. It's well marked and clearly used by others. Some moderate overgrowth of trees/shrubs onto the trail through some of the lower areas that survived the fire. Moderate inclines for first couple miles with some shade cover. Then you hit a grueling incline section over dusty and gravely/shale while fully exposed to the west (afternoon sun) for about 1 to 1.5 miles. Both up and down are very exposed to mid-day sun for most of the hike beyond the first couple miles. You'll reach the first ridge in a saddle atop the mountain and have amazing views down into Utah Valley and over Payson Canyon. From this saddle there's still a few miles to reach Loafer Mtn or Santaquin Peak by following long moderate inclines across scenic grass covered alpine meadows/slopes, then further up into a very pretty alpine forest just below Loafer Mtn's peak where you can see views down towards Spanish Fork canyon. Most of this portion of trail was also burned in 2018. Then there's about one more mile across open rocky trail to the top of Santaquin Peak. Trekking poles are useful as it's hard to keep good footing on the way back down along the really steep west-facing slope below the saddle. Except right near the trail head there's no streams or springs so come prepared with lots of water.