Mount Loafer

    Today's run is a very difficult run that begins at Payson Lakes just off of the Nebo Loop.   It's a little bit out of the way, but if you are heading up there already, or are just looking for a good challenging run, this is a real great one. 

Distance:             9.72 miles
Elevation Gain:  3515 Feet
Max Elevation:   10704 Feet
Min Elevation:    7434 Feet
Average Slope:    +18.4%
                              -9.3%
Season:                 June-October

  
Things to be aware of: 
    It has been said that there are lots of bears up in this area.  I've been up here multiple times and never seen one, but it's probably better to be on the safe side.  Maybe run with somebody else.  The trail is forested pretty good for the first 3 miles, but then it leaves the tree cover and follows the exposed ridge line where you shouldn't have to worry about bears.  (If your really that paranoid you probably shouldn't be trail running.)
    Before attempting this run you should become very familiar with the route due to multiple forks in the trail, that in most cases lead you up to the neighboring Santaquin Peak.

View from Payson Lakes:  Mount Loafer pictured center right.

    I started my accent up the mountain from Payson Lakes because the family was already there.  I started by running down the road about a half mile to the Mount Loafer trailhead.  If you want to, you could just start there.
   You start by hopping on the Mount loafer trail, heading north for about a mile with minimal elevation gain, just some rolling hills.  At a mile from the trail head, you get to some sort of livestock pen, and turn right heading downhill into mud hollow.   The trail hugs to the mountain for about a half mile, then comes to a fork.  Turn left and head up towards the canyon.
    This is where the serious climbing begins.  There is no break in elevation gain from this point on. Once up the canyon, head straight up, eventually running into some switchbacks about a half mile up.  The switch backs traverse up towards the north east ridge.  Once on the ridge line, turn left and head north up the trail, on the east side of the exposed mountainside.  The trail cuts around the the mountain to the ridgeline in about a half mile.

Looking south to Payson lakes from the ridge line: about .5 miles from the summit.

   Soon after, you begin to hug the west side of the ridge until you reach the a point where you get a view of the summit to the north.  At this point you can see your destination, just take the ridgeline to the top which is only about a half mile away.

Looking west towards Santaquin peak from the summit of Mount Loafer.  Mount Loafer is just 15 feet taller than Santaquin Peak.

    Once at the top, if your looking to make your run even longer, it is only about three quarters of a mile to get over to the summit of Santaquin Peak.