The trailhead is at an LDS chapel behind the State Capitol Building (directions here). En route to the summit, there are excellent views both of the Salt Lake Valley and Wasatch Mountains, but also of the Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island to the west. Luckily, it’s not too long. Ensign Peak seemed about right, and we’d hiked it before. The trail begins climbing immediately, but it is beautiful in winter. 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Easy 15-20 min hike to the summit, depending on your fitness level (I still recommend wearing proper shoes and taking a small It's not as if Utah lacks of hiking and other outdoor opportunities, however Ensign Peak is a wonderful escape from the Salt Lake City hustle and bustle. We decided to try something that was a little more work, because the day was supposed to be clear and cold, with the temperature in the mid 20s. From downtown Salt Lake, travel north on State Street until it ends at the State Capitol Building. The hills were covered in nearly a foot of snow, and though the trail was well packed, it was slick. Although called the "Ensign Peak Trail" by bikers, it's actually the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST). This trail doesn’t have many trees, but we loved walking through this small stand of trees on the way to Ensign Peak. The trail is primarily used for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. Snacks and water will be provided. We are amazed at how much we enjoy the winter landscape while hiking. On July 26, 1847, Brigham Young and other early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) climbed this hill and gave the peak its present name. Upon reaching the ridge the Ensign Peak trail turns south for the last 200 yards to the summit of Ensign Peak, and from there you can gaze down on Salt Lake City as if it were a diorama in a museum. Add to Calendar . The view of the sunset combined with the cool evening breeze and the glittering city lights below make this a hike well worth taking and the minimal time and effort involved make it worth taking often. This short hike is close to the city center and offers panoramic views of Salt Lake. Ensign Peak seemed about right, and we’d hiked it before. Ensign Peak (City Creek to Bountiful Bonneville Shoreline Trail) This trail is located on the mountains above the farthest-north section of Salt Lake City. Ensign Peak Trail Dog-Friendly Parks Ensign Vista Drive Salt Lake City, Utah 801-972-7800 Get Map or Directions Located just a short drive from downtown, this .5 mile trail offers panoramic views of the valley and the lake. Drive to the State Capitol Building. Ensign Peak Nature Park Many visitors frequent Ensign Peak Nature Park for hiking and biking. Drive up East Capitol Blvd about 8 blocks past the Utah State Capitol and turn left on Ensign Vista Dr. Ensign Peak Nature Park offers exhibits and a trail … Powered by WordPress. So hop on over and connect with us! There are trail signs so you won’t lose your way. (on the east side) north into the residential area. We share lots of adventures daily on social media. We were happy to be above the inversion. In reality, Ensign Peak is no peak at all, just a point off the long ridgeline extending out to the west from the Wasatch Mountains. Our fifth hike in the 52 Hike Challenge was also our last hike in January. Anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Small groups will depart the trailhead every 20 minutes to allow for social distancing. It was the perfect time to take a rest. It’s well packed from all the hikers. Because of its location, view and short walking distance (only about a 20 minute hike), even tourists in town will do the hike between sights. Friday, September 25, 2020. Be careful on the way down the mountain. Ensign Peak Hike. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Not that you really could since you can see the monument most of the way on the hike. On July 26, 1847, two days after arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young and seven other pioneer leaders climbed the hill to survey the valley. If you’re interested in winter hiking, check out our post on How to Make Winter Hiking a Success or our other Easy Winter Hikes! Ensign Peak Trail. I did it at night and it offers beautiful views of Salt Lake city. Copyright © 2014. The view from Ensign Peak is spectacular anytime, but sunset is by far the most ideal time for this hike. The trail was packed down and easy to follow, so you can definitely hike it without snow shoes. It is a relatively short hike, but quite steep. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. It is a breathtaking moment seeing the whole city from one point. The trail begins at this memorial area. Ensign Peak-Salt Lake City. Ensign Peak was the busiest trail we have hiked in the winter. This leads to higher elevations and different vantage points, but depending on the time of year, the sunset may still be better (less obstructed) from Ensign Peak itself. Cross the gravel road at the top of Hell Canyon to climb the west Ensign Peak switchbacks the rest of the way. Expect 1/2 hour of casual hiking to take you to the top. The hike begins at the Ensign Peak Nature Park (40.791759,-111.88822) located on Ensign Vista Drive in Salt Lake City. The Ensign Peak hike is pretty easy, but a little steep. The trail to Ensign Peak in winter is uphill and steep, so be prepared to take it slow, and rest a lot. Because of its location, view and short walking distance (only about a 20 minute hike), even tourists in town will do the hike between sights. Salt Lake City is suffering from a bad air inversion right now, and the smog covered much of the view, but we could still make out downtown, the canyons coming from  the east mountain, and the airport. This trail winds up a narrow draw for 1/2 mile to the back of the peak. Length: 3 miles |Elevation Gain: 531 ft | Hiking Guide. You can see lights everywhere. The trail is about 1.2 miles, round trip. Donut Falls Trail. Once on the ridge, it’s only a short walk left to the summit monument. We spent about 10 minutes resting and taking pictures at the summit. Ensign Peak Trail is truly a local's tourist hike. This popular little knob a short distance behind the capitol building and downtown Salt Lake City. Ensign Peak is probably one of the 5 most hiked summit trails in Utah. Our boys were definitely dragging on this hike since it was our first uphill hike in the winter. Read more Read less. Utahns hike and run the trail from Ensign Vista Dr. to the historical marker and overlook at Ensign Peak in droves in order to take in the excellent views of the Salt Lake Valley and Great Salt Lake to the west. We love sharing the history of Utah with our kids. There are also a few more historical signs at the top of Ensign Peak. Ensign Peak itself, and the route to the summit through the grassy slopes is very obvious from here. Turn right at the ‘T’ and follow East Capitol Blvd for approximately 1.3 miles. Trailforks scans users ridelogs to determine the most popular direction each trail is ridden. The trip does make a good introduction to the size of the Salt Lake Valley if you have guests in town. The quick hike (great for a lunchtime break) will have you high above the city in about 20 minutes. Luckily, there are a few rest stops to read interpretive signs, which tell about Brigham Young’s first visit to the peak in 1847 just a few days after entering the valley. The Ensign Peak Foundation was originally formed in 1992. The boys felt the strain of this hike as the hike is a continuous climb, and hiking in winter takes a lot more energy (at least it seems that way)! Ensign Peak is famous for giving people amazing views of the whole Salt Lake Valley and being an easy hike to access when coming from downtown Salt Lake City. There is access to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail fro Ensign Peak which is also a fun hike. The trailhead has a massive sign, possibly visible from space. On top are benches and a few things to read. This trail winds up a narrow draw for 1/2 mile to the back of the peak. As you wind around the back of the peak, there is an overlook, and it was pretty windy, but not terribly unpleasant. Ensign Peak is probably one of the 5 most hiked summit trails in Utah. On these switchbacks, there's pretty much no traffic until you hit the junction with the regular Ensign Peak Trail which comes up from the east side. Ensign Peak is a peak in the foothills near downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. It also offers some historical value. Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email. Novice tourists will be gasping at this point but the ridge comes rather quickly. We took it nice and slow, and the constant moving kept us from getting cold. The trail is easy to follow. There is no shade on Ensign Peak so wear sunscreen and a hat. Take East Capitol Blvd. You have a short little climb once you reach the large boulders and then you will be greeted with an amazing view. This popular little knob a short distance behind the capitol building and downtown Salt Lake City. This is the more common peak to bike to. Alien Worlds and Androids Exhibit | The Leonardo, 11 Family Friendly Hikes on the Mirror Lake Highway. The best part about this little peak is the little rock section that you can ride down that parallels the trail to the north. President Young remarked that it “was a proper place to raise an ensign to the nations” and so it was named Ensign Peak. Ensign Peak is a very approachable hike by most and a great way to take in the sites of the valley. Masks will be required at the trailhead. We had several people (college students) pass us on our way to the summit. At the peak, you’ll find a pillar marking the spot as well as an interpretive set of signs that point out … You avoid the nasty drop and hikers, but get a nice little peak to ride up to and take a photo. Another waterfall trail, yay! There is no parking area and the street is residential, so be respectful when rolling up. Ensign Peak is a prominent hill on the northern edge of the Salt Lake Valley. Take the right fork (behind the church), to the trailhead in a block. You have a good view of the monument itself, though it is a bit small in the distance. The trailhead is one of the best signed trailheads in Utah, you can’t miss it. Ensign Peak . There are beautiful flowers along the trail as well. On these switchbacks, there's pretty much no traffic until you hit the junction with the regular Ensign Peak Trail which comes up from the east side. … From the trailhead, you'll immediately begin climbing the moderately steep trail. Highly recommended! The peak holds historical significance to the Salt Lake Valley and its early settlers. Or if you’d like more info on hiking Ensign Peak in warmer weather, click here. Ensign Peak is a popular and short hike to a phenomenal view of Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Mountain Range. Ensign Peak is an easy out and back hike located above downtown Salt Lake City. About half way up, you’ll come to this sign and a few rocks to sit on. Turn left on North Sandrun Drive (940 N). About this Event Come join Women Who Explore: Salt Lake City, on a hike up to Ensign Peak. Most people we passed were only wearing tennis shoes, which we thought was crazy. From downtown Salt Lake City, drive State Street north to the capitol, fork right and follow the road around to the northeast. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Ensign Peak is a natural landmark near Salt Lake City, Utah, rising 1,080 feet from the valley floor. View to the west with the north end of the Oquirrh Mountains. Ensign Peak Trail and Overlook is a 0.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Salt Lake City, Utah that offers scenic views and is good for all skill levels. Ensign Peak Monument is easily seen on most of the hike. Ensign Peak Trailhead (40.79139, -111.88833) The trailhead is at the top of a residential area above the Utah capitol building. Ensign Peak offers unparalleled views of the Great Salt Lake as well as the Wasatch Mountains, and Salt Lake County. It connects Ensign Peak to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and is one of the most popular entryways into the valley foothills, making the area particularly vulnerable to erosion and trail widening. Created by Meks. It is a relatively short hike, but quite steep. Ensign Peak View via Bonneville Shoreline Trail is a 6.5 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near North Salt Lake, Utah that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as moderate. It is approximately one mile north of the Utah State Capitol and sits almost directly behind it. Soon you are out of the development and heading toward a pass on the ridgeline. The trail takes off to the right, along the property lines of several homes. Our boys decided this would be a great place to take some running dives, and they really enjoyed sliding down much of the mountain though Mom and Dad were considerably more careful. We saw these deer just a few minutes after starting the trail. Bring your friends and hike Ensign Peak. The trail to the overlook is .8 miles out and back and is suitable for all skill levels. If you have a little more time, come earlier in the afternoon and hike all around the Ensign Peak Open Space. Sliding down was definitely the highlight for the boys. Then we made the final ascent, which is less than a hundred yards to the monument at the top. Showing You the BEAUTIFUL Salt Lake City from the Ensign Peak. Keep your eyes open, because in January we saw about a dozen deer foraging for grass through the deep snow on the high slope to our right as we ascended. Have climbed this one several times and it is always a great hike, especially while higher elevation hikes are still snowy in the spring. Turn left onto Ensign Vista Drive. The boys spent most of the hike back sliding as far as they could. Hiking to Ensign Peak If you are looking for the easiest, kid friendly, or a fun date night sunset spot in Salt Lake, this is the trail for you. The Foundation was significantly involved in the preservation and creation of the Ensign Peak Park in Salt Lake City, Utah. The trailhead is at an LDS chapel behind the State Capitol Building (directions here). Despite the inversion, we enjoyed looking over the valley. The Ensign Peak Trail starts from a small trailhead off Ensign Vista Drive. From its summit they laid out in their minds the city they intended to build. 1 Before leaving Nauvoo, President Young had seen a vision of the Prophet Joseph wherein he was shown the peak and told to “build under the point where the colors fall, and you will prosper and have peace.” 2 The most obvious landmark is the State Capitol Building, 1.1 mile south and 880 feet lower than the peak. Once you reach this overview and historical marker, you don’t have much further to the top of Ensign Peak. Hiking trail to top of Ensign peak. 0.5 mi/0.8 km one-way. 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