Hiking to most of the highest points in Utah's 29 counties can be a grueling event. More than half of the hikes are long treks taking the better part of a day. A few others involve going over unmarked terrain or near dangerous cliffs. However, one county high point hike that's both fairly short and suitable for children is the east side trail to Naomi Peak.
Even though it is 9,979 feet above sea level, Naomi is a relatively easy hike from Tony Grove - about eight miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of only 1,900 feet. That's a small price to pay for the four to six hours of time required for the roundtrip hike to the tallest summit in Cache County and enjoy great scenery along the way.Naomi is at the "see level" in the Logan Canyon area and from atop its summit, a spectacular vista is available. Southern Idaho, Smithfield, western Cache County and the Cache National Forest are all visible. Mount Elmer (9,676) is four miles south.
Naomi also offers the best views of Mt. Magog (9,750 feet above sea level and on south side) and Mt. Gog (9,714-foot elevation). These two strangely named, but rugged peaks have their namesakes in the Book of Revelation. Don't try to climb Mt. Magog, though. It may appear tempting, but is steep and rugged with many loose rocks. In fact, a 27-year-old hiker (who turned into a spontaneous climber) died on Aug. 25 last year attempting to explore Mount Magog alone.
Two things you won't see from the atop Naomi though are Bear Lake (to the east) and the city of Richmond (directly west of the peak). Other mountains sitting to the west obscure these views. In fact, from across Smithfield Canyon, another portion of the Bear River Mountain Range blocks most of the eastern side of Cache County.
Where did Mount Naomi gets its name? It's a mystery, but it could be named after Ruth's mother-in-law, mentioned in the Book of Ruth, Old Testament. After all, nearby Gog and Magog Peaks are definitely scriptural titles. The word Naomi also means a delight or simply a feminine name. Another source said a government surveyor named it after his wife.
The easiest hike to Naomi begins at Tony Grove, elevation 8,050. Travel 19 miles east up Logan Canyon (Highway 89) from Logan and turn left on a seven-mile paved road to Tony Grove Lake, campground and trailhead. The trail is located on the north side of the road's end.
A nearby nature trail goes northwest, while the Naomi and White Pine Lake trail share the same path for the first 400 yards. Signs indicate the trail divisions.
After some 3/4 a mile, the trail forks again with one segment going north to White Pine Lake and the Naomi route going northwest. The trail gets steeper after this point and is very rocky. There are no perennial streams along the trail, but there is scattered shade.
After about a two-mile total hike, the trail comes to the top of a draw and Naomi Peak is finally visible across a little valley. Not easy to identify, Naomi can be spotted to the left of a notch in the mountain skyline that's just north of a large mountain pass.
The trail goes downhill briefly, but doesn't go up the big pass - it later heads north before doubling back to access Naomi from the north side. There are a couple of rocky ledges to maneuver through, but nothing really treacherous.
Once on the mountain saddle (about 3.8 miles out), another trail junction is reached. The north path leads past High Creek Lake and to Cherry Peak (elevation 9,765). Cherry is a mile N.W. of Naomi.
From the saddle, Naomi is only some 250 yards away. It's not particularly distinctive, so look for the southernmost and flattest of two granite monoliths in the area. The trail to Naomi fades out on the peak's southeast side where you must forge your own path over rocks to the summit.
You'll know you're on top if you can find the U.S. Geological Survey's marker, embedded in a rock on top. (Although the 1960 marker lists Naomi as being 9,980, it was resurveyed later to actually be a foot shorter.)
Some hiking guides list the Tony Grove to Namomi hike as 3.2 or 3.5 miles one-way. But it's a long, long 3.2 miles then and feels more like four miles. Because Naomi is the county's tallest point, this hike from Tony Grove is very popular.
There are also several alternate routes to Naomi Peak from the east. A trail goes from the High Creek trailhead, north of the town of Cove. Another goes from east Richmond up the Cherry Creek trailhead. Still another heads up Richmond's City Creek Canyon. Connecting mountain skyline trails also go north into Idaho.
The Naomi Peak trails are normally accessible from late June into September. The west side of Naomi Peak has been designated as a wilderness area.