A Wasatch Gentle Giantby David Grover  p. Monique Beeley
Mount Nebo is the southernmost anchor of the Wasatch Range, and at 11,928 feet, it is also it’s highest. The mountain is reportedly named after Mount Nebo in Jordan of the New Testament, which is said to be the death place of Moses. Biblical identity aside, as the eighth highest peak in Utah, Mt. Nebo provides an ample playground for summer recreational enthusiasts. Hiking, biking, camping, scenic driving; re-creators can find just about every brand of fun there.
The best and quickest way to get the scope of the mountain is to drive the 38-mile Mt. Nebo Scenic Loop Road, a jumping off point for most of the trails. The Loop ascends to nearly 9,000 feet and provides amazing scenery and views of Utah Valley, the Wasatch Mountains, and of course Mt. Nebo. The loop is a National Scenic Byway, one of only four in the state. Like the well-known Alpine Loop to the north, the Nebo Loop is an immensely popular day trip during fall months. Aspen trees turn an unbelievable golden color, and the Uinta foliage provides as breathtaking a backdrop as anywhere in the world. From I-15 take exit #254 in Payson and follow the signs to the loop; the byway heads southeast and begins to climb into national forest. Maple Lake Campground soon appears and is the first of several opportunities to car camp on the north end of the mountain. Numerous hiking trails begin here, and this area alone is worthy of a few days' exploration. Continuing along as the road begins to ascend even more, avid road cyclists may yearn for the beautiful climb and the upcoming switchbacks. They would be in good company if they did. The 2006 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, billed as America's Toughest Tour, brought nearly 100 elite cyclists from 16 teams to the area. The Tour entered the mountain stages on day four with nearly 20 miles of climbing atop the nearly 9,000 ft. Nebo Loop. The six-day tour ended with an epic day of racing having covered nearly 12,000 ft. of climbing from Deer Valley to Snowbird. The day was heralded as the toughest day in American racing, and received VeloNews' 2006 "Ride of the Year" honor. The 2007 race, July 1-7, has been awarded a UCI 2.2 status, meaning it is included in an elite group of only 15 in the USA.
A mile past those tight switchbacks, the larger and more visited Payson Lakes Campground appears and a few miles up the loop is the improved Blackhawk Campground, a starting point to the Blackhawk Trail, a multi-use for hiking, biking, and equestrian use. This is a good choice for mountain bikers, with out-and-back options up to 15 miles long. The main trail loosely parallels Nebo Loop south, traversing Gentle Band Ridge where it descends over a mile with speed sections and tight switchbacks. What goes down must come up, and Blackhawk's 8,000-plus feet of elevation and varied terrain is good challenge with excellent views and needle-carpeted floors.
Mt. Nebo Overlook and Trailhead is the crown jewel of the byway. An overlook area provides breathtaking valley views and the scope of the mountain becomes evident. Note how Friday's nagging problems at work seem as far away as Mt. Nebo Wilderness in the distance. The Nebo Bench and Peak trailheads are here. Casual strollers can meander and hardcore enthusiasts can press on for up to 18 miles to any of the three peaks here. Budget time to imbibe Devil's Kitchen Geologic Interest Site located down the road. In contrast to the alpine setting of the Loop, Devil's Kitchen is almost otherworldly. Exposed, eroded red rock monoliths and buttresses reminiscent of Southern Utah come into view, looking more like Bryce Canyon than the Wasatch Front. Devil's Kitchen is an easy, 1/10th of a mile walk to the point of interest and observation deck, and well worth the time. Set aside a day, or better, a weekend and take in all that Mt. Nebo has to offer. There's plenty of camping or ample lodging in the nearby towns of Payson and Nephi. Visit www.utahcounty.org for a list of restaurants, hotels and B&B’s in the area, and get free maps of the area at www.fs.fed.us/r4/uinta. Peak baggers should visit a local shop and come prepared. You'll be glad you did.
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