Hike Mount Dutton via Snowbank Trail Dixie National Forest, UT

May 15, 2022 — Mount Dutton is a high-prominence peak in central Utah, the high point of the Southern Sevier Plateau. Most choose to drive to nearly to the summit for this one, but I was hoping to locate a trail to make it more of a hike. The only candidate seemed to be a trail called the Snowbank Trail on the west side of the mountain, but this only appears on some topo maps and I could find no information about it online. I was pretty confident it no longer existed. Determined to at least try it, I drove to the trailhead from the south via Smith Canyon Road, and I believe the northern approach road would be much worse. Google had no problems getting me there. The drive was initially very good, but as soon as I turned north into Smith Canyon it degraded significantly. Realizing these are likely mostly roads used by ATVs, I wondered if I was putting my car at risk for a hike that wouldn't even be there. I never needed to engage 4WD, but I was happy for high clearance and good tires. Once I reached the trailhead, I was reinvigorated after finding a trailhead sign intact. Maybe this would mean the trail was in decent shape? It was, indeed.

I started through the forest on the Snowbank Trail, which quickly opened up into a nice meadow and then alternated between forest and meadows as it slowly ascended east to a low saddle. Along the way I only had trouble locating the trail a couple of times, but cairns helped stay on track. Really, it was in great shape and deadfall had clearly been cut recently. I even passed a wilderness camera, so I assume at least someone comes back here from time to time.

From the low saddle I could see Mount Dutton to the east. The Snowbank Trail dipped down from the low saddle for a couple hundred feet and then started to ascend on tight switchbacks up a forested slope that would ultimately lead to the southern ridge of Mount Dutton. I had no problems the whole way up and was overjoyed that my driving effort to reach the trailhead wasn't fruitless and I could enjoy a nice trail hike.

The Snowbank Trail ended once it reached Forest Road #125 above. I followed the road for a short time up a couple of switchbacks and then left it to ascend Mount Dutton's grassy southern ridge. The sweeping views to the south of the southern Sevier Plateau were quite nice and I was instantly excited to check out more of the interesting-looking peaks in the area. The grassy terrain had a light social/animal trail leading all the way up to the radio towers near the summit, but the true high point is just to the north on a big boulder. Excellent views in all directions, including toward the gorgeous Tushar Mountains.