OverviewThis peak was officially named on June 9, 2005. It is located to the SW of Shingle Mill Peak and NE of Provo Peak. There is a maintained trail until the final mile which is an exposed scramble over a ridge consisting of mixed scree, boulders, and bare soil. Warning - this is a dangerous hike. Please proceed with caution. Once on the summit, you'll have spectacular 360 degree views of Cascade Mountain, Mt Timpanogos, Shingle Mill Peak, Lightning Peak, Mt Nebo, and Provo Peak.
Getting ThereAccess is either via the Dry Fork Trail (off of the Squaw Peak Road) or via the Big Springs Trail in the South Fork of Provo Canyon.
The Squaw Peak Road is reached via Provo Canyon (State Highway 189). This road begins as a paved road. At the junction, take the road to Hope Campground. The road becomes a dirt road just past Hope. Continue to the Dry Fork trail head just past the old Rock Canyon Campground (now closed). This is marked with a small brown Forest Service marker. There is no formal parking area. The elevation here is 7255. You'll need to park along the side of the road. Follow this trail up trough a beautiful aspen and pine forest to the Shingle Mill/Cascade Pass (elevation 9537). Distance is 3.6 miles.
For the Big Springs Trailhead, take State Highway 189 up Provo Canyon to Vivian Park. Continue up the road (about 4 miles) to the parking lot maintained by the Uinta National Forest. The distance to the Shingle Mill/Cascade pass is 4.95 miles.
Both trails converge at this common point. Here, you'll find a trail built as an Eagle Scout project in 2000. This trail is marked by rock cairns and generally followed the large contours running horizontally across the face of Shingle Mill Peak. This eventually takes you to to the ridge between Shingle Mill and Freedom. Then its just a matter of following the knife edge ridge to the West to the summit of Freedom Peak. This ridge is similar in difficulty to the east approach of the American Fork Twins or the final East approach to the Pfiefferhorn. This is a dangerous hike. T
As long as you are there, you may want to summit Shingle Mill Peak as well.
A third alternative is to start at the Rock Canyon Trailhead (elevation 5138). This trail will connect with the Dry Fork trailhead at 3.3 miles. In the summer there are two maintained water fountains along this trail.
Red TapeNo permits are required. Freedom Peak is located on the border of the Pleasant Grove and Spanish Fork Ranger Districts of the Uinta National Forest. You can contact the PG Ranger District at 801.785.3563 or the Spanish Fork Ranger District at 801.798.3571. The PG district is likely to have better information on this area.
When To ClimbCould be climbed year round but those attempting a winter or early spring hike would experience a longer approach since the Squaw Peak Road is closed until Memorial Day or thereabouts. Also, avalanche danger would be present during this time. Best hiked once snow is stable in late spring. Ice axe and crampons are essential. Attempting this hike in the summer is not a good idea.
CampingThere are multiple camping possibilities on both approaches.
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