Joe Hatch on the approach to Hogum's Heroes summer...
Description
Hogum Fork is a subdrainage on the south side of Little Cottonwood Canyon, located between Maybird Gulch on the east and Bells Canyon/Coalpit Gulch on the east. The Pfeifferhorn (Little Matterhorn on the quad map) is located at the head of Hogum Fork on its southeast edge. In the winter, Hogum Fork offers outstanding skiing, including runs like the Hypodermic Needle, the Hogum 200, and the Northwest Couloir of the Pfeifferhorn. In summer, Hogum Fork offers at least one rock climbing route in a spectacular remote high alpine setting. The granite here is similar to that in nearby Lone Peak Cirque.
Getting There
The best way to approach Hogum Fork is to start at the White Pine Trailhead (just below Snowbird) in Little Cottonwood Canyon. After almost a mile, take the right most trail towards Red Pine Lake. After a another mile and a half or so, take a right on a foot bridge and follow the trail for another mile into Maybird Gulch to where the trail ends at some small lakes with a great view of the Pfeifferhorn.
From here, it's pretty much all talus hopping. Angle up and south southwest to the low spot of the North Ridge of the Pfeifferhorn. Once you're over this ridge, hike down the short, steep, and prickerbush infested slope into Hogum Fork. Expect ~2 hrs plus or minus change and about 2500 vertical feet to get to this point from the White Pine Trailhead.
If you're going to hike all the way out there, you might as well check out the plane wreckage mentioned in the Ruckman guide. If you're standing at the base of Hogum's Heros, the pieces are about 150 yds down slope over your right shoulder. None of the pieces are too big these days, but still an interesting sight.
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