Box Elder Peak

Box Elder Peak from Granite Flat North TH
via Community Flat
 Hike Time (roundtrip): 7.5 to 11.5 hours
 Distance (roundtrip): 10.4 miles
 Elevation Gain: 4331 feet
Main Aspect: All Directions
 Climb Rate: 833 feet per mile
 Average Grade: 16%
Notes: The trail is the best part of the hike. You get to see lots of diversity in terrain and plant life. At the saddle (Community Flat), turn left (south) and head up the ridge. The trail occasionally wanders off the ridgeline, but I learned it is easily to stick as close as you can to the ridgeline.

Trailhead
Granite Flat North TH
Trailhead Elevation: 6770 ft
Trailhead Outhouse: Yes
Distance from Fee Station: 8.1 miles
Area: American Fork Canyon
Area Location: East on Timpanogos Hwy (SR92), exit 284 in Utah County
Area Fee: $6
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Notes: The Granite Flats North trailhead is on the right a few hundred feet after you pass the Granite Flats CG shack. On the trail, you will come to a junction after 1/4 mile. Take the left fork. If you miss the fork, you will soon reach the Silver Lake Flats road, just follow it to the bend, where you will find another trail which will put you back on track.

Waypoint 1
Community Flat
 Elevation: 9650
Feature: Meadow
Notes: It is the saddle north of Box Elder Peaks dividing the Deer Creek drainage (Granite Flat) from the Dry Creek drainage (Alpine). If you are looking for a good place to camp overnight, this is a good place to do it. Hunters use it as a base during hunting season.

Destination
Box Elder Peak
 Elevation: 11101
Feature: Peak
Notes: The views from Box Elder Peak are great. You can see Lone Peak to the northwest, the Alpine Ridge running east and Mount Timpanogos to the south. You might see mountain goats there. There is a huge cirque on the north side of the mountain. The folded rocks look really cool.