Pioneer Peak

Pioneer Peak from Catherine Pass TH
via Sunset Peak
 Hike Time (roundtrip): 2.5 to 4.0 hours
 Distance (roundtrip): 4.8 miles
 Elevation Gain: 1060 feet
Main Aspect: ALL
 Climb Rate: 442 feet per mile
 Average Grade: 8%
Notes: The route is straightforward, down the Sunset Peak ridge and up the Pioneer Peak ridge.

Trailhead
Catherine Pass TH
 Catherine Pass TH
Trailhead Elevation: 9380 ft
Trailhead Outhouse: Yes
Distance from Park-N-Ride: 10.6 miles
Area: Little Cottonwood Canyon
Area Location: East on 9400 S (SR210) in Salt Lake County
Area Fee: None
Dogs Allowed: No
Notes: There is a parking lot near the Catherine Pass trailhead (TH), but the basin gets busy on weekends. Quite often, volunteers stand at a booth near the upper Alta parking lot to encourage people to walk from there or take a free shuttle.


Waypoint 1
Catherine Pass
 Catherine Pass
 Elevation: 10220 Feature: Saddle
Notes: The pass seems to be the center of many great hikes. It sits on the divide between Big Cottonwood and Little Cottonwood Canyon, and is the gateway to several peaks.

Waypoint 2
Sunset Peak
 Sunset Peak
 Elevation: 10648 Feature: Peak
Notes: This is one of the easiest peak hikes in the Wasatch. It takes about an hour from the Alta side and about an hour and a half from Brighton. You can see Big Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood and Snake Creek drainages from here. This is a good family hike for families with older children.

Destination
Pioneer Peak
 Pioneer Peak
 Elevation: 10440 Feature: Peak
Notes: Lots of people get to Pioneer Peaks neighbor, Sunset Peak. Very few venture over to this peak. It sits above Lake Catherine and Dog Lake.

(If you have an extra hour or two, climb down the east side of Sunset Peak and hike along the ridge to Pioneer Peak, the next mountain to your east.)