Ensign Peak: Mountain rich in history — and it's fun to hike
At an elevation of 5,414 feet, this mound-shape peak located behind the Utah state Capitol is only about 1,100 feet above the city streets — far lower than most other Wasatch mountain peaks. However, it's probable that no other Utah mountain has a more significant religious/pioneer history.
Even aside from such important history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its pioneers, Ensign Peak is simply a great, short family-style hike offering panoramic views of the area.
With wildflowers in bloom and moderate temperatures, late spring is a great time to hike Ensign.
It's probably only 0.6 of a mile hike to the summit, and that can be traversed in 15-30 minutes for most people. The trail begins at the Ensign Peak Nature Park, off Ensign Vista Drive.
The first few hundred feet of trail are cement, and the remainder is hard dirt. Portions of the trail are steep. Young children need to be supervised near the top, where there are some cliffs.
However, the views of Beck Street and the area west to the Salt Lake Airport are simply spectacular. Aside from the likely haze, the Salt Lake Valley also spreads out to the south below the top of Ensign.
A half-dozen historical signs at or near the summit outline the significant history of Ensign Peak.
Fences also help to keep onlookers away from cliffs in the area. A few fences and signs along the trail remind hikers to stay on the set path to lessen erosion problems.
Those with disabilities will be able to use the concrete side "vista" path (300 feet long) to the base of the peak, where a good viewing area of the valley is also available. The Nature Park is also easy access.
For the more adventurous, another path just below the Ensign summit heads northeast to a higher summit, where much of south Davis County can be viewed.
• Here's some of the religious/pioneer history of Ensign Peak:
According to President George A. Smith, first counselor in the First Presidency, Brigham Young had a vision of Joseph Smith and Mount Ensign while in the Nauvoo Temple, prior to leaving the East.
"President Young had a vision of Joseph Smith, who showed him the mountain that we now call Ensign Peak, immediately north of Salt Lake City, and there was an ensign that fell upon that peak, and Joseph said, 'Build under that point where the colors fall and you will prosper and have peace."' (From an address given in the Tabernacle on June 20, 1869.)
President Joseph F. Smith provided a similar description 13 years later: "(Brigham Young) had before seen an ensign descend and light upon the mountain peak, which is now called from that circumstance — 'Ensign Peak' — which was an indication to him that this was the resting place God designed for his people." (From an address given in the Provo Tabernacle on Dec. 3, 1882.)
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