Mount Olympus

Salt Lake City

Mount Olympus is one of the most visible and well known peaks along the Wasatch Front.

Hiking Extreme

Distance: 10 km
Ascent: 1.3 km
Descent: 1.3 km
Duration: 4-5 hrs

Low Point: 1.5 km
High Point: 2.7 km
Gradient: 24˚

Hiking Mount Olympus is no easy task, the trail is one of the steepest around, it gains 4,000 feet in 4 miles. It is a well maintained trail right until the summit scramble.

Photo from Mount Olympus — Photo: summitcheese

Description

The trail is steep and strenuous and the final rock scramble to the summit puts a nice finish on one of the most difficult hikes in the range. However, the views from the summit more than make up for the effort when the entire Salt Lake Valley sits right under your feet.

Because it is low elevation and west facing this trail sees traffic almost all year long. Proper footwear and shoe traction can help greatly in the winter months. In the summer the temperatures can soar into the 100 degree range so it's best to get an early start and be off the mountain by 9 or 10am. Evening hikes are a good choice that provide glorious city lights and less encounters with rattlesnakes.

Difficulty

Extreme

Scrambling up mountains and along technical trails with moderate fall exposure. Handholds are necessary to navigate the trail in its entirety, although they are not necessary at all times. Some obstacles can be very large and difficult to navigate, and the grades can often be near-vertical. The challenge of the trail and the steepness of the grade results in very strenuous hiking. Hikes of this difficulty blur the lines between "hiking" and "climbing".

Similar routes nearby

1.8 km away

Heughs Canyon

Short and easy hike right out of the valley. Great place to walk the dog, or enjoy the waterfall that's in existence through the spring and early summer.

Moderate Hiking