Visiting Inspiration Point may involve perspiration

Need some inspiration? How about a trip to the aptly named Inspiration Point, elevation 9,422 feet, in the lofty, rugged mountains of southern Box Elder County? You won't be disappointed.

Mammoth rocky spires, craggy peaks, granite fissures, sure-footed mountain goats, pond-roaming moose, abandoned historic mines, the contrasting beauty of Willard Bay vs. the Great Salt Lake, the flood-ravaged history of Willard Basin, the endless bird's-eye panoramas and more. A visit to the Inspiration Point area is a Rocky Mountain adventure at its best. Forget always having to go to the High Uintas, Cottonwood canyons or the Mount Timpanogos area for some mountain solitude and incredible grandeur. This more off-the-beaten-track place — between North Ogden and Mantua — is one of the most fabulous treasures in all of northern Utah.

This area is a natural playground that could rival some national parks for beauty, and it boasts no entrance fees.

From Inspiration Point, there is a nearly unlimited view of Willard Bay and North Ogden.

Inspiration Point, also known as Willard Mountain, marks the end of the Willard Basin road. True to its name, it offers some stunning panoramic views of the Great Salt Lake, Willard and Brigham City by overlooking Holmes Canyon and Pearsons Canyon.

Some vehicles parked at Inspiration Point on a summer afternoon reflect the sun like a mirrored signal and can been seen some afternoons from as far away as western Layton.

There are several old mines in the area, including the Eldorado Mine, below Willard Peak.

Inspiration Point is also a perfect place to jump-start moderately difficult hikes to nearby peaks.

Willard Peak, about a mile to the southeast, is the tallest point in Box Elder County at 9,764 feet. Willard Peak is 52 feet higher than Ben Lomond Peak (9,712 feet), another 1.5 miles away on the Skyline Trail.

Willard Peak has been more often climbed in recent years because it is a county high point and is sought out specifically by "peak baggers."

"What a view!" Clay Poulter of Liberty wrote in June of 2008 on a small notebook inside a summit register canister on the top of Willard Peak.

"Love the mountain goats," Alan Dailey wrote. There are 20 or more mountain goats roaming around Willard Peak these days. Their droppings prove they've been to the summit, too.

There's a good trail from Inspiration Point, going south and east all the way to Ben Lomond Peak, North Ogden Divide or North Fork Park — the latter two both 12 miles distant.

However, if you want to scale Willard Park, you take a good spur trail for a few hundred yards upward. Then, a variety of mountain goat paths lead to the craggy summit, and a little scrambling is required.