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Fantasy Ridge (Desolation Peak via Fantasy Ridge)
Hiking Trail
Details
5.21 mi
2,063 ft
Often called the best hike in Park City, Fantasy Ridge is an adventurous traverse of an exposed ridgeline that leads to the highest point in Park City.
Fantasy Ridge is a truly unique hike in Park City. It begins much like other trails, crossing ski runs and service roads, but it culminates in an exposed, steep-sided ridge in a wild place where no other trails go, and no mountain bikers can ride.
Start by taking the Red Pine Gondola and hiking Tombstone Trail, which meanders alongside a creek through shady groves and makes a moderate ascent to the top of Peak 9350. This makes a good turnaround point for a casual hike, but the real Fantasy Ridge is yet to come. Continue on Fantasy Ridge Trail, which leads into more forest on the mountain’s west ridge. You’ll notice the sides of the mountain get steeper and steeper and the forest thinner as you move along.
Soon you’ll emerge on a very dramatic spine, where bouldery slopes drop precipitously on either side to talus fields 200 feet below. One section is a lateral boulder scramble on a bit of a “knife-edge” feature. A fall could cause injury here, but it’s not too difficult, and ropes are mounted in place for you to hold on to. The rest of the trail is wide enough to be quite safe, but anxiety is sure to kick in for those afraid of heights.
Press onward to the other side, which is not as far as it looks, and meet a dirt road on the gentler slope of the next mountain. This is Desolation Peak, which is the highest point in Park City Resort. Reach its summit by following the switchbacking road to where the winter lifts unload, then leave the road and climb just a bit higher on rocky terrain to stand on top. The views are incredible as you look over all the terrain of the resort and the rest of the Wasatch Range.
Sources:
Written by Jesse Weber
Fantasy Ridge is a truly unique hike in Park City. It begins much like other trails, crossing ski runs and service roads, but it culminates in an exposed, steep-sided ridge in a wild place where no other trails go, and no mountain bikers can ride.
Start by taking the Red Pine Gondola and hiking Tombstone Trail, which meanders alongside a creek through shady groves and makes a moderate ascent to the top of Peak 9350. This makes a good turnaround point for a casual hike, but the real Fantasy Ridge is yet to come. Continue on Fantasy Ridge Trail, which leads into more forest on the mountain’s west ridge. You’ll notice the sides of the mountain get steeper and steeper and the forest thinner as you move along.
Soon you’ll emerge on a very dramatic spine, where bouldery slopes drop precipitously on either side to talus fields 200 feet below. One section is a lateral boulder scramble on a bit of a “knife-edge” feature. A fall could cause injury here, but it’s not too difficult, and ropes are mounted in place for you to hold on to. The rest of the trail is wide enough to be quite safe, but anxiety is sure to kick in for those afraid of heights.
Press onward to the other side, which is not as far as it looks, and meet a dirt road on the gentler slope of the next mountain. This is Desolation Peak, which is the highest point in Park City Resort. Reach its summit by following the switchbacking road to where the winter lifts unload, then leave the road and climb just a bit higher on rocky terrain to stand on top. The views are incredible as you look over all the terrain of the resort and the rest of the Wasatch Range.
Sources:
Written by Jesse Weber
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