Beatout Trail

The Beatout Trail from White Pine TH
via Upper Bells Canyon Reservoir
 Hike Time: 12.0 to 20.0 hours
 Distance: 14.2 miles
 Elevation Gain: 6051 feet
Main Aspect: All Directions
 Climb Rate: 426 feet per mile
 Average Grade: 8%
Notes: No one seems to know where this trail got its name. Some say its because you have to beat your way out of Bells Canyon after descending from South Thunder.

Trailhead: White Pine TH
Trailhead Elevation: 7660 ft
Trailhead Outhouse: Yes
Distance from Park-N-Ride: 5.3 miles
Area: Little Cottonwood Canyon
Area Location: East on 9400 S (SR210) in Salt Lake County
Area Fee: None
Dogs Allowed: No
Notes: Watch for a sign that says White Pine Trailhead about half way up Little Cottonwood Canyon, just after passing Tanners Flat. It is a good size parking lot on the south side of the road, with an outhouse. This trail leads to several canyons.

Waypoint 1: Red Pine Lake
 Elevation: 9640 AKA: Lower Red Pine Lake
 Feature: Lake
Notes: High alpine lakes are great, but this one is extra beautiful. There are good places to camp on the south side of the lake. Incidently, Red Pine refers to Douglas Fir that was harvested from the canyon in the late 1800s. White Pine refers to Engelmann Spruce.

Waypoint 2: Pfeifferhorn
 Elevation: 11326 AKA: Little Matterhorn Peak
 Feature: Peak
Notes: The highest peak along the Alpine Ridge, it stands out from many directions. The climb near the top has some exposure, but remains a popular destination for more seasoned hikers. Utah Valley pioneers called it the anthill. I guess they did not see it up close.

Waypoint 3: Chipman Peak
 Elevation: 10954 Feature: Peak
Notes: I have been looking at Chipman Peak from my house for 10 years, and still have not found an easy way up to it. Most people summit the peak while passing between Pfeifferhorn and South Thunder on Lightning Ridge on the Beatout Traverse.

Waypoint 4: South Thunder
 Elevation: 11154 Feature: Peak
Notes: It is well guarded, so any route will be somewhat difficult. See Bells Canyon, Hogum Gulch and Lake Hardy from its summit.

Waypoint 5: Upper Bells Canyon Reservoir
 Elevation: 9400 Feature: Lake
Notes: It is part of the Salt Lake watershed, meaning no dogs allowed. The service road used to build the reservoir is long gone.

Destination: The Beatout Trail
 Elevation: 11326 Feature: Trail-Distance
Notes: The Beatout Trail is an all day hike that starts at White Pine Trailhead and ends at a Bells Canyon Trailhead. In between is a lot of mountain scenery on the Alpine Ridge.