Dude Benchmark is a highpoint between Salt Lake City and Bountiful. Because the ridgeline extendes so far west from the main north/south Wasatch peaks, the views are spectacular. With the relatively low elevation, the hike can be done most of the year with snowshoes required near the end. There may be faster ways up but this route was one I had been looking at for some time.

Start at the same trailhead as Ensign Peak, in the neighborhood behind the State Capitol Building. The trail climbs 400 feet in a half mile to a ridge top, just feet below the summit of Ensign Peak. Left in Ensign, turn right following a smaller trail along the ridgeline. This trail will continually climb knoll after knoll bringing you higher and higher up the ridgeline. In a few places, roads appear from the north. You'll always be on the right path if you keep the slope down to City Creek near. At 6,700 feet is a final 500 foot climb to the summit. Much of the way before the final climb is gently sloping and even one or two small sections of downhill. The top doesn't offer much but big views and the experience of hiking this long ridge visible from Ogden to Draper.

Distance: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,500+ feet
Summit Elevation: 7,212 feet
Access: Paved

Dude Benchmark

Access:

Route:

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.

Looking south over downtown across Salt Lake County

Dude from Little Black Mountain trail

City Creek Canyon, Dude BM on left, Grandview in center, Little Black Peak on right

Dozer looking north

The final push to the summit

Looking down on Bountiful. Ben Lomand in distance

This Moose was right on the trail. Scrub oak trees were too thick on both sides from where I was so I had to wait 20 minutes (yelling at her to move). She didn't seem to care much about me and after she finally moved about 10 feet down the hill, I was able to find a route through the brush about 30 feet above the trail.

From the summit looking East to Grandview, now in the clouds From the summit, looking back at the route

Reaching snowline

Weather turning bad

View west to Antelope Island

From the summit, looking back at the route. (Route shown)