Mt. Wire (or Big Beacon) is a popular mountain above "This is the Place Monument and Park". Although I didn't run into anyone when I snowshoed up, there were lots of tracks and people recreating all over the base of the mountain. With its close proximity to Salt Lake City, the urban views were a bit surreal for me having just moved there at the time. For most, the summit will be the goal with a fun 25 foot lookout stand but the highest point on the ridge is another 3 miles of ridge walking, to much for me this particular day. This peak is also the noticeable one with the giant relay stations on its slopes near the summit.

In winter, it is probably best to climb up whichever ridge has tracks already made. If you can't find any, my route seemed like the main choice. Although, it appeared a trail was packed in the draw to my west well below the ridge. The easiest way to start might be to walk paved/plowed roads to the highest point in the Heritage Park. This will take you past the original "This is the Place Monument". From the highest point, strap on the snowshoes and access the ridge that leads to the summit. Overall, the snowshoeing is safe and would be a great place to go when conditions are bad elsewhere.

Distance: 1.7 miles (+3 to true summit)
Elevation Gain: 2,200 feet
Summit Elevation: 7,143 feet
Access: Paved

Mt. Wire (Big Beacon Peak)

Access:

Route:

Find your way to the Hogle Zoo and This is the Place Monument Park at the entrance to Emigration Canyon on East Sunnyside Avenue (800 South). Park on the north side of the road, just past the park in the trailhead parking area. From there, hike up the trail or go up the paved exit road from the park.

The original Brigham Young monument a few minutes up the route with Mt. Wire behind.

View of Salt Lake City from near the start

Picture from the highest point on the paved road in This is the Place Park

Nearing the relay station

Old snowshoe tracks near the summit

Salt Lake Valley views about halfway up

Salt Lake Valley from the summit

Ridge continues 3 miles to true summit. Emigration Canyon to the right of ridge

Looking south over Emigration Canyon to Mill, Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon Peaks

I snowshoed from the summit to the road in 20 minutes

This is the lookout tower you can climb up