Cache Valley Hiking, Part 2: Naomi Peak Trail

Behind the numbers:

• 7.2 miles out-and-back
• ~1900 feet elevation gain/loss
• About a 4.5 hour round-trip on average

Note: Susan and I have both completed the Naomi Peak hike, although not together.  This will be a review of the trail as seen from the combination of our individual experiences (the pictures will also be from both trips). 
The Naomi Peak Trail is one of the can’t miss hikes in the Cache Valley since it starts near Tony Grove Lake (about 8100 feet elevation) and climbs to the top of Naomi Peak (just shy of 10k feet), the tallest of the Bear River Mountain Range.  Since it was a must do, Susan hit the trail very early after our move to Logan as a team-building trip with her co-workers at USU.  I finally made my ascent with my parents during their visit while Susan toiled away at work.  Derby has yet to ascend the peak.
The trail starts at the same parking lot and even on the same trail as the White Pine Lake hike, but quickly splits after only about a quarter mile.  From the parking lot, the trail is a steady ascent for its entirety, with the changes being only the severity of the grade.  Of course as you ascend the scenery changes as well. 

At about .75 miles you encounter the Devil’s Staircase, a series of rocks jutting out of the hillside resembling a very large ancient ruin of stairs.  As the trail circles the staircase, you get an opportunity to look behind you and take in the interesting rock feature with Tony Grove lake still visible in the background.  With the fall colors included during the hike with my parents, it was quite the photo op.

From there, the trail ascends through some switchbacks and mostly exposed hillside for the next mile or so before entering a high altitude valley with what appeared to be a dried up former small lake.  Ahead of you the peaks of Naomi and the adjacent mountains start to loom and behind you there are views back into the Logan Canyon since you have now climbed above most of the major tree obstructions.  The remainder of the hike is a tough climb, but stopping to take breathers is not as bad since photo opportunities are pretty constant all the way to the peak.

As you near the top, the landscape becomes much more barren and rocky.  With just over .25 miles to the peak, the path hits a fork with a sign posted for much longer backcountry routes to other notable peaks in the area (Most of the trail are interconnected to one another).  However, it doesn’t point explicitly in the direction of Naomi Peak…so go left.  My parents and I started left and missed a portion of the trail so turned back early and hit the “peak next door” to Naomi.  Susan was with a more experienced group so they made it to the correct peak. 

Susan at the top (it was smoky that day)

Jeff with his mom at the adjacent peak

Once you’ve hit the aforementioned fork, you’re on the ridgeline and can see for miles in both directions.  On clear days you can see down into the northern Cache Valley (Smithville and Southern Idaho mainly) to the west and the Logan canyon to your South and East.
The return trip is pure backtracking, with some of it on loose rocks or with a severe grade so it still requires effort and care.  When you get under a mile to go, you start to be motivated by glimpses of the destination at Tony Grove and use that to get the rest of the way to the finish line. 

Overall this trail is a must do and lived up to expectation.  The views from the peak are spectacular (when it’s not smoky or cloudy) and it’s worth the trip just to say you’ve been to the top of the Bear River Range.  The climbing was more arduous than we had expected, so be prepared to take it slow and take breaks.  It’s a great half day hike option, but is ideal for hiking in the summer/fall since the trailhead is difficult to get to with snow in the mountains.