Ensign Peak - Salt Lake City Hiking Trails

Ensign Peak is probably one of the 5 most hiked summit trails in Utah. This popular little knob a short distance behind the capitol building and downtown Salt Lake City. Because of its location, view and short walking distance (only about a 20 minute hike), even tourists in town will do the hike between sights. The trip does make a good introduction to the size of the Salt Lake Valley if you have guests in town. In reality, Ensign Peak is no peak at all, just a point off the long ridgeline extending out to the west from the Wasatch Mountains.

Ensign Peak

The trailhead has a massive sign, possibly visible from space. Walk up the stairs to a bunch of information signs and some sort of amphitheater. The trail takes off to the right, along the property lines of several homes. Soon you are out of the development and heading toward a pass on the ridgeline. Tourists will be gasping at this point but the ridge comes rather quickly. Once on the ridge, it is only a short walk left to the summit monument. On top are benches and a few things to read.

Drive to the State Capitol Building. Take East Capitol Blvd. (on the east side) north into the residential area. Turn left on North Sandrun Drive (940 N). Go one block to a Y in the road at a church. Take the right fork (behind the church), to the trailhead in a block. The trailhead is one of the best signed trailheads in Utah, you can’t miss it.

Ensign Peak in Winter

A self-appointed junior ranger took French leave of his home Friday to follow his career in the forest service, and his worried parents searched for him for eight hours before he voluntarily returned. Red-headed Michael Zetterquist, 8, still retained his youthful ambition Saturday. He told his father, I am either going to be a forest ranger or an artist when I grow up, and I am going to live in the mountains. The freckled-faced boy left home Friday at 11 a.m. with a pocket full of sandwiches. By noon, he had reached the fire lookout station atop Ensign peak, a two-mile uphill hike from his home. Shortly afterward, Dick Raybould, ranger for the Salt Lake City water department, drove up to the Ensign peak lookout. He was somewhat astonished to find a small, red-headed youngster, clad only in blue jeans and shoes, occupying the lookout station. After he had properly identified himself, Mr. Raybould was allowed to continue his duties with the junior ranger. Young Michael spent the day making the rounds of the lookout stations with Mr. Raybould. The youngster was returned to his somewhat anxious parents at 7 p.m. Remarked young Michael, The jeep ride was the most fun of all.