Pfeifferhorn via White Pine Lake

White Pine Trailhead, UT
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4 Reviews
Pfeifferhorn via White Pine Lake
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Details

Distance
9.91 miles
Elevation Gain
3684 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back

Features

River
Lake
Forest
Wildflowers
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About this place

Added by Conor Barry

Beat the heat and start early for an excellent opportunity to summit The Pfeifferhorn in solitude and avoid the crowds at Lower Red Pines Lake. 

Starting at the White Pine Trailhead in Little Cottonwood Canyon, UT, hike southwest until reaching the junction to Red Pine Canyon. Take the trail that crosses the stream and continues west around the ridge. The trail will quickly turn south and begin to gain elevation. Continue west as you pass the junction to Maybird Gulch. The trail gains elevation as you reach Lower Red Pine Lake. Continue around to the south side of the lake and follow the faint trail up the steep slope to the upper lakes. Set up your base camp here. Multiple summits can be reached from this high camp.

The Pfeifferhorn — Follow the steep ridge to the southwest of the lakes (It doesn't show up on a topo map but it's pretty east to spot from the ground) up the headwall that gains access to the alpine ridge. It looks steep but it's very doable. Once you reach the ridge continue west towards the Pfeifferhorn. Trust me, you can't miss it. Prepare for some class 3 scrambling as you make your way to the summit. To time the hike just right, so you can watch the sun come up from the top, leave about 1.5 hours to get to the summit.

White Baldy can also be reached from this camp too. I have not attempted it, but the route looks pretty straightforward. Find a guide book and look up the exact details before you head out for this impressive peak.

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Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and be sure to follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly.
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Austin Berenyi
7/10/2017
Favorite view in northern Utah.
The hike is long and strenuous...but I have old man knees, so take that lightly. We hiked up to White Pine Lake by midnight, ...
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Jackson Smith
1/25/2017
Amazing 360 view above 11,000ft
There aren't many other places in the Wasatch with a better view.
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Caleb Farley
7/16/2016
Kind Of Intense, But So Worth It
The hike up to the red pine lakes itself was pretty steep. Then when you look up at the crazy steep ridges in front ...
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Jake Ward
6/21/2016
Gem of the Wasatch
The Pfeifferhorn has to be one of the coolest summits in the Wasatch! It's a classic "horn" and provides incredible views of the Timpanogos, ...
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