This peak wasn’t in my original plan. But again, I check my calendar, I check the map, and bang… I have time and there’s an unclimbed-by-me ultra-prominent peak in relative proximity. Such a coincidence. Of course, I find a way to the peak. At the trailhead, there’s a big parking area (no overnight stays mentioned at the entrance). There’s an official trail map, and one of the trails goes to Hall Basin, which is very close to Flat Top Mountain summit. I change and start walking at a brisk pace due to the good road.
Easy walking on the gradual road makes the hike enjoyable, allowing me to relax and look around. Trees provide much-needed shade. At the fork, a sign says that the access road will finish in 1.6 miles, and it’s true. About this distance in, there’s a sign stating private land, no trespassing. This contradicts the map below, which shows the trail going all the way to Halls Basin. Okay, 20 meters before the barrier, there’s some kind of forest ‘opening’ on the right side. Maybe that’s a trail directly to the summit. I didn’t check it, but it could be an old, overgrown trail.
From Halls Basin, a reasonably good trail starts in the forest toward the summit. Sometimes it’s obvious, sometimes I lose it and follow some game trails. Not much is needed, as most of the time I soon get back to something that looks like a trail. There’s one small section with talus and easy scrambling, but it can likely be avoided by walking on one side. Once exiting the forest, the terrain becomes very gradual, and I continue on the ridge.
The high point has a post box, likely with an ascent log inside. Fifty meters to the northwest, a flat bump looks similar in height and has some construction on it. However, my internal voice and observations say that the high point is where the post box is located. Anyway, I visited both to be sure. I had my traditional apple and walked down the same trail.
The first ultra-prominent peak in Utah was a good start, but other peaks look trickier, mainly due to snow. I believe Deseret Peak would be a good target, but part of the trail is on the north side in a gully, so I bet I’ll turn around there. I’ll skip it and drive back to Nevada to North Schell Peak, spending an extra hour or two roaming the Bonneville Salt Flats.
