Hiking Mount Olympus
Mar 10th, 2008 by admin
Mount Olympus, with its two summits, is the dominant peak looming over Salt Lake City in the Wasatch Front. The Mount Olympus wilderness, characterized by rugged terrain and narrow canyons, was declared a wilderness area in 1984 with the passage of the Utah Wilderness Act. More than 15,000 acres are protected.
The south facing orientation of the hiking trail at Mount Olympus allows for almost year-round hiking. Starting out steep, then switchbacking up hill the route to the summit is over 6 miles. The real trial is just short of the top when you gain a foot of elevation with every foot of distance in the final .1 mile. Don’t let this scare you off though. The views are spectacular of the valley floor below from the start and stretch from The Great Salt Lake to the Point of the Mountain.
To get there: Exit I-215 at the 3900 - 3300 South ramp and proceed south along Wasatch Boulevard. The parking lot is located on the east side of the street up a steep driveway at 5800 South Wasatch Boulevard.
Dogs are permitted in the Mount Olympus Wilderness area off leash.
Bring plenty of water and a camera.
I loved these hikes when I was living out there. We used to do them quite a bit. The only down side to it if there has to be one was every time we were headed back down, a certain someone, you know who you are
would start talking about where were going to eat, describing burritos and good stuff while we were still way to high up on the mountain. All while I was stinkin’ starving! argh! You still probably do that don’t you?
yes, i remember that. worst time ever was backpacking in kolob canyon (zion national park). miles from the car. starving, hot, thirsty, tired, ect.. and the “certain someone” starts talking about iced tea and peanut butter. all we had was dehydrated mystery food and water.
Ahhh Kolob Canyon! I wish I would have had a camera back then. Went to some pretty sick places without a camera back in the day and now that have a camera I have a job, responsibilities and a lot less time to do anything.
Boo hoo for you