Buffalo Peak
- Alex Cabrero
- Oct 17
- 5 min read
Updated: 2d
(Provo Canyon) If you’re looking for a short hike with big beautiful mountain views in Utah County, you can’t go wrong with the Buffalo Peak trail. Aspen and I did this one when she was still a really young puppy. She's still a puppy as I write this, but back then, she was curious about everything, learning trail manners, and discovering how much she loves being outside. It turned out to be the perfect “little adventure” for her, and honestly, for me too.
One thing to know right away, there is no trailhead sign. None. Zero. If you’re expecting a wooden post or an official Forest Service marker, you’ll drive right past it. To get to this trail, you head up Provo Canyon, take the turn onto Kyhv Peak Road, and follow it until the pavement ends and the road gets bumpier and dustier. A couple more miles later, you’ll see a wooden fence and a small pull-off on the right. Just look for the opening in the fence. That’s the “trailhead.” It’s very Utah in a "if you know, you know" kind of way.
From the very start of this hike, Aspen was in full-puppy mode. She was bouncing ahead, turning back to check on me, sniffing every bush, and occasionally tripping over her own paws. She was still a bit uncoordinated when we did this hike, and it was adorable seeing her smile.
This trail is short. I tracked it at 1.1 miles out and back with my GPS. The first part is very mellow and grassy. When we visited, some wild plants were blooming and it smelled amazing. Plus, the views of the mountains even at the beginning were pretty good. This trail starts high on the mountain so you're already at some decent elevation for good views.
I liked the beginning of the trail because it was relatively flat with a gentle slope up. It was also wide open, so it was great for Aspen's confidence because I could let her wander a little bit and keep my eye on her. She got to look around and explore and stretch her little legs without anything too intimidating. We practiced her recall several times. I could already tell she's going to be a great hiking companion because she doesn't wander too far away and she immediately comes back when I call her. She doesn't know it, but her excellent recall is going to allow her much more freedom. What’s funny about this trail is that it lulls you in with that easy, gentle start… and then you turn a corner and see what you're about to hike.
Now I know why it's called Buffalo Peak. You can definitely see the peak as you turn that last corner on the gentle slope portion of the trail. Right before the top, the trail kicks up suddenly. It’s not long at all, but after a mostly flat start, your heart will notice the incline. It's about a 300-foot elevation gain from the trailhead to the top. Aspen didn’t care. She scrambled right up like she’d been climbing mountains her whole life. Of course, she has four legs. Me? I have two. And I felt it.
As you head up the peak, there are several trees to stop and get some shade if you need it in the summer. There are also a couple of places where someone placed rings of rocks to have a campfire. The dirt path you've been walking turns a little bit rocky. Just make sure you have steady footing as you head up (and back down) so you don't slip. There are several spots to take amazing pictures. My favorite view is the mountain to the south, where layers of exposed gray rock twist and bend in a way that almost doesn’t look real. It’s one of those formations that makes you stop and imagine the millions of years it took for the earth to fold like that. That view alone is worth the mile.
Once you make it to the summit, though, the views are even better and you'll know it was worth it. At the top of Buffalo Peak, you get big views of Utah Valley. You can see Provo, Orem, and the whole expanse of civilization down below. Utah Lake sits off to the west, shining bright on a clear day.
Aspen and I found a small tree at the summit that was just big enough for a bit of shade for both of us. We sat in the dirt to cool down and take a break. I was catching my breath while Aspen was doing her usual “surveying her kingdom” routine. Then she saw people and she growled. It wasn't in a mean way... it was more like, "excuse me, what are you doing on our mountain?" She was still very new to hiking and I think she genuinely believed hiking was something just she and I did together. I put her on leash, told her it was okay, and she quickly settled down. Moments like this are good reminders that puppies are always learning. She eventually let the people pet her and then she started sniffing them for hidden treats.
Buffalo Peak is one of those nice Utah hikes. It's short, beautiful, and perfect for a quick adventure that will get your heart pumping a little bit. The views alone are worth it, not only on the hike, but on the drive itself. It always seems faster hiking back. Of course, this is probably because you're going downhill instead of up. Just watch out for those loose rocks as you're hiking down. It's easy to slip here.
I feel like this is a hike you could do over and over again and not get bored of it. I also bet you'll get a different experience during the different seasons, though I think the road leading to this trail is closed in the winter.
TRAILHEAD LOCATION:
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