Location and surroundings
Maple Peak lies in the West Tintic Mountains, part of the Central Utah Desert Ranges in the East Great Basin Ranges of the Great Basin Ranges. It is in Juab County, Utah, in the United States. At 2,450 m, it is the highest of the three named peaks in its range and the range high point.
The surrounding country is typical of the interior West: dry slopes, open ridgelines and broad views across desert basins and adjacent mountain blocks. Higher ground is close enough to make the skyline busy, but the immediate setting remains remote and sparsely developed.
Neighbouring peaks
- Chicken Rock — 2,160 m, 5.5 km W
- J Hill — 2,246 m, 6.5 km N
- Sabie Mountain — 2,438 m, 11.3 km N
- Boulter Summit — 1,866 m, 12.3 km NE
- Red Skin Knolls — 2,160 m, 13.4 km NW
- Round Knoll — 1,984 m, 16.0 km NE
- Black Peak — 2,711 m, 16.7 km NW
- Dutch Peak — 2,726 m, 16.8 km NW
Maple Peak is higher than all of these except the more distant summits to the northwest. The nearest higher peak is Black Peak, which stands 261 m above Maple Peak and is just under 17 km away.
The view from the summit
From Maple Peak, the highest nearby summits within 25 km include Black Crook Peak to the NW at 22.8 km, Boulter Peak to the NE at 18.6 km, Tintic Mountain to the E at 22.2 km, and Mammoth Peak also to the E at 20.0 km. Hannifin Peak lies 20.7 km NE, and Bismark Peak is 23.9 km NE.
These peaks show how Maple Peak sits among a cluster of higher and lower ridges in the central Utah desert mountains, with the strongest relief toward the northwest and east.
The range
Maple Peak belongs to the West Tintic Mountains, whose high point is Maple Peak itself. The range has three named peaks, and Maple Peak ranks first by elevation among them. In the wider mountain chain, the West Tintic Mountains sit within the Central Utah Desert Ranges and the broader Great Basin Ranges of western North America.
For visitors, that means the mountain is not an isolated summit but the top of a small named range, with nearby peaks and passes forming a compact high-country landscape rather than a long alpine chain.
Climate and weather
These are estimates from NASA POWER climate data adjusted to summit height. At the summit, the warmest month is about July at 20 °C, while the coldest months are about January and December at -5 °C. Around the mountain, the wettest months are about April and December at 45 mm, and the driest is about July at 15 mm. Annual precipitation is about 400 mm.
Expect a dry interior-mountain climate with summer heat at lower elevations, cold nights at the summit, and rapid changes from sun to wind or brief storms. Snow, ice and strong wind are the main hazards in the colder season, while heat and dehydration matter more on lower approaches.
Best time to visit
At summit level, the months with a mean temperature above freezing are about March through October. For most visitors, the most comfortable window is the warmer part of that period, when snow cover is usually reduced and travel on dry ground is easier. The drier stretch is around June to August, with the lowest rainfall in July.
Even in the warmer months, mornings can be cool at 2,450 m, so early starts and layered clothing are sensible. In shoulder seasons, lingering snow or frozen patches can still affect higher ground.
Nature and wildlife
The mountain sits in a high desert range, so the lower slopes are likely to be open and sparse, with hardy shrubs, grasses and scattered rock outcrops. Higher up, vegetation thins further and the terrain becomes more exposed, with sun-baked ridges and broken stone typical of the Great Basin interior.
Wildlife in this kind of country often includes small mammals, raptors and other birds adapted to dry mountain habitat, with larger animals using the slopes and basins as seasonal range. Water is limited, so animal activity often follows cooler hours and the few wetter pockets of terrain.
Guides and organised ascents
For a mountain like Maple Peak, a certified guide is usually not essential for experienced hikers or scramblers, but it can be useful if you are unfamiliar with desert navigation, exposed ridges or winter conditions. In the United States, the national mountain guide association is the American Mountain Guides Association, an IFMGA/UIAGM member. The national alpine club or federation is the American Alpine Club.
Examples of established guiding companies in the country include RMI Expeditions and Exum Mountain Guides. A guided outing typically depends on the number of days, group size, route complexity, equipment needs and whether overnight camping is involved. Some peaks in the United States require permits or registration from the land agency, so local access rules should be checked before travel.
Safety and preparation
Maple Peak calls for preparation for dry terrain, sun exposure, limited water and changing weather. Good navigation matters because ridges and basins can look similar from a distance, and the summit environment can be windy and cold even when lower ground is warm. Sturdy footwear, sun protection and enough water are essential.
For mountain rescue in the United States, the emergency number is 911. Dispatchers can alert the local search and rescue team, usually run by the county sheriff or a national park service.
Interesting facts
Maple Peak is the highest of the three named peaks in the West Tintic Mountains and the range high point. Its nearest higher peak is Black Peak, 16.7 km to the NW, rising to 2,711 m. The broader skyline also includes Black Crook Peak, which is higher still at 2,802 m and lies 22.8 km NW.
Because the mountain sits in a small named range inside the Great Basin mountain system, it offers a compact example of Utah’s interior high country rather than a long alpine chain.
FAQ
How high is Maple Peak? Maple Peak rises to 2,450 m.
Where is Maple Peak? It is in the West Tintic Mountains of Juab County, Utah, United States.
What range is Maple Peak part of? It belongs to the West Tintic Mountains, within the Central Utah Desert Ranges and the broader Great Basin Ranges.
What is the nearest higher peak? The nearest higher peak is Black Peak, 16.7 km to the NW.
Is there water on the way to Maple Peak? In this dry mountain setting, plan to carry your own water; for a day outing, about 1.5-3 litres per person is a sensible range, more in hot weather or on a longer route.
When is the best time to visit? The summit is above freezing roughly from March through October, with the drier months in summer.
Is Maple Peak the highest point of its range? Yes. It is the highest mountain in the West Tintic Mountains.