SALT LAKE TRAILS: GRANDEUR PEAK, THE WEST FACE
by PATRICK L. WELSH
The towering west face of Mt. Olympus dominates the main eastern skyline of Salt
Lake, but there is also another dominating mountain. Just north of Mt. Olympus is a beautiful 8,000 foot high peak that juts out of the valley. It is crowned with a hogs-back of tall limestone.
The trail starts up from the aforementioned trailhead, and climbs southeast up the hill towards a deep notch in between two hills. There are two separate trails that diverge from this point. One goes up the gully and the north most ridge; the other will climb up the hill on the right. I will be discussing the trail on the right.
This is a deer trail that climbs the steep, jutting ridgeline, and as long as you stay on the
ridge, the trail is quite prominent and visible. As you rapidly gain some 3,000 feet of elevation on the hike, you cross through a few noticeably different vegetation zones on the way. The first is the grassland zone that is characterized by short grass and sagebrush, followed by a mountain brush zone that includes interspersed Gamble Oak, Mountain Mahogany, and the beginnings of tall and winding Junipers.
As you put the city further behind you, the views become more and more spectacular. As you come to the north shoulder, you will notice trees becoming taller, and even the occasional pine or spruce closer to the summit. The summit gives you amazing 360 degree views of the Parley and Millcreek Canyons to the east, Mt. Olympus to the south, the foothills behind the U of U to the north, and the city and Oquiirh Mountains to the west. There is a summit journal on top of this peak that is filled with the stories, humor, and wisdom that the mountain has reflected off of it's climbers. Go up and write a line or two. By the time you reach the top you will certainly be inspired.
Note:
This hike is best done early morning or late evening in the summer, as it gets baked by the western sun and has minimal tree cover. It is good anytime of day the rest of the year, including winter. Expect to see rattlesnakes, deer, and various small rodents on this trail. A beautiful variety of wildflowers bloom April to May. This peak can also be approached from the southeast via Millcreek Canyon.
Getting to the trailhead:
Take 1-215 East, get off at the 3300 S exit, and turn left at the light. Go east through another light towards the yellow school and a frontage road (Cascade Way) that will arc north along a long wall. At the end of the road is a parking area overlooking the mouth of the canyon. You will see a trail going east up the hill; that is the Grandeur trailhead.
One Way Distance to Summit: 1 ¾ miles
Summit Altitude: 8,299 ft.
One Way Hiking Time: 2 ½ hours