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About this place
This is a little known trail to the top of Buckley Mountain and gives you an incredible view of both Utah Valley and the seven peaks of Utah County, including Nebo and Provo Peak.
There are a few ways to get to the top of Buckley, but the funnest (and most strenuous) way to get up to Buckley is taking the trail up Slate Canyon. Slate Canyon has a parking lot and bathroom located at the base of the trail, and the trailhead is about ten minutes from the Provo Center Street exit on 1-15.
Park in the Slate Canyon parking lot and start up the trail. After about three miles of relatively steep trail, you'll take a left at a fork. Continue up the trail until it flattens out and you'll see two sign posts. One points to a Slate Canyon trail and one points to Forest Road 027. Go on the trail towards Forest Road 027. It will be a narrow trail through the forest for about a mile. Eventually you'll connect to Squaw Peak Road. Continue south on the road for about 2.5 miles until you reach a muddy parking lot (This parking lot is about 7.5 miles from the Slate Canyon trailhead). Once you get to this parking lot, the trail ends and you'll have about a mile to the summit -- and you have to bushwhack the entire way. Once you get to the summit, embrace the views and return along the same trail.
The view is amazing during the Spring because everything will be very green and not too hot. If going during the winter, snowshoes would probably be necessary and be sure to check avalanche dangers. Also, because the trail is very lightly traveled, you are more likely to run into wildlife. I saw two big snakes and very fresh bear paw prints on the way up.