Pheifferhorn
Little Matterhorn
Wasatch Range, Utah, USA
Length: 9 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Difficult
General Information
Backcountry camping is allowed as long as you are at least 200 feet away from any water source. The most common area is Red Pine Lakes. Maybird gulch may be a good place as well. The Pfeifferhorn is accessible year round. Typical hiking time is in spring, summer, and fall. When in winter, skiing or snowboarding down is popular. Be sure to bring items such as snow shovels, beacons, probes, for everyone, not just one person. Check the Wasatch Cache Avalanche Advisory. Though there are no fees or permits associated with this hike, the Pfeifferhorn is in the Lone Peak Wilderness Area, and Leave No Trace rules should be followed.
| Pfeifferhorn
- Winter & Spring Length: 4 1/2 miles - One Way Time: 5 hours - One Way Trailhead: 7,650' Summit: 11,326' Skill Rating: Technical Equipment: Snowshoes, Crampons & Ice Axe Difficulties: Navigation & Mountaineering Skills Circle Trip: Yes, Descend Maybird Gulch Warnings: Avalanche Danger & Exposure |
Pfeifferhorn
- Summer & Fall Length: 4 1/2 miles - One Way Time: 4 1/2 hours - One Way Trailhead: 7,650' Summit: 11,326' Skill Rating: Difficult Difficulties: Navigation and Scrambling Circle Trip: No Warning: Exposure |
Getting There
From the 6200 South exit on I-215, travel southeast on 190 until you get to the intersection with Big Cottonwood Canyon. Continue straight through the light for around 4 miles until you get to the Mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon, continue going straight and east for about 5.5 miles until you reach the White Pine trailhead on the right side of the road. There is plenty of parking and toilets are at the trailhead.
Trail Guide
The easiest and most popular route is the East Ridge via Red Pine Lake. The trail is approximately 3 miles to Lower Red Pine lake and roughly 1/2 mile to the 
Upper Red Pine Lake. From here proceed southwest up the steep talus slope to the top of the 'false summit'. A well-defined trail should be visible here in the absence of snow. Continue west along the ridge through a series of large boulders to a second steep slope. You can either wrap around this slope to the south and switch-back up to the summit (easier) or just continue west 'til you reach the summit (steep).
Another way to climb Pfeifferhorn is to hike in through Maybird Gulch. A small foot bridge breaks off to the right from the Red Pine Lake trail and will take you into Maybird. You will pass 3 small lakes nestled under the Hogum Divide with the Pfeifferhorn rising straight ahead. Once past the uppermost lake you will find yourself in a large boulder field (granite talus) which is difficult and slow to cross. At the other side, a steep scramble will take you to the summit base. You can make a loop trip starting at Maybird Gulch, climbing to the peak, then down by way of upper/lower Red Pine lakes or vise-visa. This is the way I usually take.