Given this is UT, I thought it appropriate that I start at the very beginning. Or at least the symbolic beginning.
Ensign Peak, 1,080 feet above the valley is where Brigham Young stood with others on 26 July 1847 to survey the valley and to begin to make plans for the settlement of this area.
My research beforehand led me to believe that this hike was an easy walk in the park. While the trail is unencumbered and fairly straight forward, they failed to mention the steep incline. I was cautious and put on tennis shoes, and rightly so. The trail is mostly fine dirt and loose gravel making it a bit slick in the dry heat. The views, however are lovely. Hovering over the Capitol Building and seeing the developments beyond, you get a sense of what these men had envisioned so long ago.
Apparel: Yoga pants and t-shirt.
Shoes: New Balance running shoes
For those of you coming from the East ... take your time. The incline literally takes your breath away. On my way down I ran into some mid-westerners who were also having difficulty with the thin air. I'm hoping for myself that I will become acclimated as I hike more at this altitude.
At only 1 mile round trip, the hike is relatively short. I suggest bringing a camera and leaving the water bottle at the car.
Directions: Follow State Street North. Turn right (East) when you reach the Capitol Building and continue going north and more north (East Capitol Boulevard). Follow it up the hill to the north and then turn left onto North Sandrun Road. Follow that road west to the LDS Church house. The trailhead is in the back of the church parking lot, where it abuts Ensign Vista Drive.
