Sardine Peak Loop

The Trail

This moderate trail is about 8.4 miles long round trip when done as a loop, with about a 1,312 ft. elevation change. However, keep in mind that there is some up and down for this trail, and the last tiny stretch to the peak is difficult with a steep slick short climb.

Topographical Map

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

This trail starts from a metal gate in front of a dirt road in the Snowbasin area. It starts with a downward slope and heads past a pond and a stream that has cut its way into the road. This is the road that lead to the Maples Campground area, which is not actively in use any more and has no amenities.

 

Head down this dirt road

Another sign at the trailhead, but don't follow the trails
next to this sign

Shortly before reaching the campground and about a half mile from the trailhead, you will come to a labeled turn-off. Heading right here will take you around the loop the opposite way that we went, and is a longer way to reach the peak. For the shorter route up, keep following the road to the campground.

The campground has a road that loop around it in a circle. The left fork is shorter, but either way should take you to the opposite side of the area. At the far north side of the campground is a picnic table and the original trailhead, marked by the trailhead sign on the topographical map above. Find this trail and head up.

Maples Campground

Trailhead

In another 1.4 miles up this trail, there is another marked split. Heading left will take you to the Ogden Overlook, which is 0.6 mile off the loop trail. Heading straight will continue your hike toward Sardine Peak.

Looking up the path at Sardine Peak at the split

View at Split

Instead of taking a more gradual path up the more gradually sloped side of the mountain ridge to the peak, the trail skirts the ridge, then suddenly switchbacks across it to the west side of the peak, heads north a short ways, and climbs abruptly to the top up a slick steep ascent that we at first questioned the validity of as a trail. This trail is out of character with the rest of the trail. It does not seem to be an official trail at all, but it is the way up to the top.

The trail also continues on the east side of the peak. This is the main route widely used by mountain bikers making the loop, and it is marked by blue in the topographical map above. The turn-off for the peak can be easy to miss, but it comes right after passing a rocky ridge. It is a more narrow trail off to the left, and when we went, it was marked by a colored ribbon tied to a bush.

The turn off for Sardine Peak is easy to miss, but comes as you
round this bend on the other side of this rock.

It is tempting to use the pine trees for balance to ascend the final steep stretch to the top as it turns up, but it is far better to avoid contact with their sticky bark dripping with sap. It is wise in fact to watch for sticky spots in general around them, as the sap drips liberally into puddles on the ground in places.

Trail to the top

Trail to the top

Tree trunk dripping with sticky sap

Though steep, the way is short from here to the top, being just a bit over a hundred yards more.

View of Mount Ogden from Sardine Peak

Pineview Reservoir from the Peak

Avoiding the trees again, make your way back down. If you want to continue along the loop, turn right at the bottom to continue along the trail on the west side of the peak. This trail will circle back around to the north side of the peak and join up with the main trail again. Otherwise you can turn back and go down the way you came.

Trail along west side of the peak

Point where trail around the west side of the peak meets
back up with main trail

Taking the loop trail back down is longer with a lot of very long gradual switchbacks. There is a fair amount of shade along it much like the trail up after the road.

At the end of the switchbacks, the trees open up more and there is a bridge. Soon after the bridge, the trail splits again. Head right to continue back to the Maples Campground road the hike started on. Heading left will take you over another small bridge and toward the Wheeler Creek Loop, Icebox Canyon, and Art Nord Trailhead.

Bridge on Trail

Trail split: Go right here

About 0.6 miles after this split, the trail meets up with the road again and you can hike back out the way you came.

There are no restrooms at the trailhead. This trail is opened to leashed dogs and bicyclists. Parts of it are opened to horses.

Directions

This trail is located in Weber County, Utah in the Snowbasin area. The shortest fastest way to get there will vary some depending on the direction you are coming from. If you are coming from the south, it works best to take Hwy 89 until it comes up and connects with Hwy 84. However, if you are coming from directly west of Hwy 84 or from north of it, you can just start on Hwy 84 or exit onto it from I-15. Take Hwy 84 up the canyon to Exit 92. Turn left to get to UT-167/Old Highway Rd., and then turn right and continue along UT-167, turning left at the Sinclair Gas station to stay on the right road. Turn left at UT-226/Snowbasin Rd. Continue up the road before turning left again toward the Snowbasin Lodge/Maples Campground Access Rd. Continue along this road without taking any other left turns and you will arrive at the trailhead gate. There is parking along the street here with other parking available in the adjacent lots. GPS Coordinates: N41° 13.112' W111° 51.783'