Ensign Peak
Salt Lake City, Utah
Details
Distance
0.97 miles
Elevation Gain
354 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Seth Whelden
Amazing views of downtown Salt Lake City, the Great Salt Lake, the Wasatch Mountains, and the Ochre Mountains.Very easy and quick hike, 1 mile roundtrip with a 350 foot elevation gain.Watch Evening Primrose bloom after sunset in spring.
This hike is a piece of cake with a sizable reward. It starts just up the hill behind the Capitol Building and ascends 350 feet over about 0.5 miles to the top on a very well marked trail. It's great for a family with young ones or maybe a quick post-dinner evening date. Parking is all along a residential street and though it could prove tricky to find a spot on a really busy weekend day, it's free!
The views are pretty spectacular for most of the short hike, though the top is where the big pay off lies. With the Wasatch Mountains to the east, the Great Salt Lake to the west, and the city sprawled out below, there aren't many better places to really get a sense of how SLC fits into the landscape.
After settling in, enjoying the view, and maybe reading some of the signage at the top, take some time to look around below you. We saw two Gopher Snakes, patches of wildflowers, and shortly after sunset, noticed a patch of Evening Primrose blooming under the almost full moon (late May).
No matter the season, the sunset will be glorious here. For us the sun was setting perfectly in the center of Antelope Island, though in the fall it will be behind the Ochre Mountains.
If you have a little more time, come earlier in the afternoon and hike all around the Ensign Peak Open Space. 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.
It can be busy so weekdays are definitely the time to do it if you want to avoid crowds.
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Reviews
It's crowded and easy, but worth a jaunt up if you haven't been or it's been a while. The kids will have fun getting out and you can enjoy the view of downtown.
3.0
Easy hike if you're trying to get into hiking. There's a back trail you can take from the top of memory grove which makes the total hike about 2 or 3 hours long. Either route you do take is enjoyable due to the view, I recommend going at dusk or dawn! Great view of the city lights
5.0
But the lukewarm that you appreciate. The hike is pretty quick and short, making it a great option for a morning jog or place to show off the view to visitors. Average scenery, but the view at the top on a clear day makes it worth it. Our little pup loves this hike. Just enough to get him tired out, but not overworked. Overall, it's no High Uintas, but it's fun, quick, and good for all skill levels!
3.0
I don't know that I'd ever hike it again, but at least we did it once!
3.0
Take a camera with good exposure control and shutter speed. Night time pictures can be epic! Especially on cloudy nights. Always be prepared for wind.
4.0
The hike is easy and the view on the lakesmall and the city is fantastic especially at sunrise
5.0
The hike wasn't very long at all, you can do it in a half hour, pretty view at the top of Salt Lake City, would be nice to watch the sunset up there. Very popular hike.
4.0
Ensign peak isn't incredible, but for how short and easy this hike is, the view is great. This is a great family hike, or a great hike if you're time is limited. The trailhead is 5 minutes from downtown. The entire trail is exposed, so make sure you plan for the heat if you're going mid day in the summer.
4.0
This is definitely one of the best views of the Salt Lake Valley and a super easy hike. Find food after is super easy too...head straight down capitol hill on State Street to the Pie Hole. Pizza by the slice and a cool, casual vibe. About ten minute drive from the trailhead. You'll pass by a bunch of other good spots on State if you're not feeling pizza.
5.0
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