It's likely Utah's most sacred mountain — kind of the state's own version of a Mount Sinai.
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.
There's also a small amphitheater halfway up the trail, as well as numerous concrete blocks available to sit on, to rest or contemplate.
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.)
The Mormon pioneers arrived in Utah on Saturday, July 24, 1847. They spent all of the next day, Sunday, resting and worshiping God. However, on July 26, one of the first tasks attempted was to climb what is now known as Ensign Peak to get a better look at the valley and probably also to see firsthand the mountain in President Young's vision.
Among those pioneers who made that first climb were Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards, Wilford Woodruff, George A. Smith, Ezra T. Benson, Albert Carrington and William Clayton. (The party used horses to make the first two-thirds of the climb, then dismounted and went on foot.)
Elder Woodruff was the first to reach the summit and President Young, still ill (and barely able to made it to the top with help), was likely the slowest climber. On top of the peak, President Young said, "Here is a proper place to raise an ensign to the nations." This is a reference to the scriptures where it mentions an "Ensign." (Isa. 5:26, D&C 105:39) These scriptural references are likely the inspiration for the peak's name.
The men then reportedly unfurled an ensign of liberty to the world. What an "ensign" means here is unclear. Perhaps the most common dictionary definition of an ensign is a flag or banner — specifically a national flag. But most historians are quick to point out that despite recurring myths, there's no evidence that a U.S. flag was raised on Ensign Peak at the climax of that first climb. Another definition of ensign is simply a badge or symbol, in accordance with a synonym of the word: insignia.
The pioneers did raise a U.S. flag in the valley below as early as October 1847, a significant act, since Utah was technically still Mexican soil. The U.S. flag was definitely flown on Ensign Peak, complete with a 21-gun salute, on July 24, 1897, from a special flagpole — about six months after Utah was admitted to the union — in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the pioneers' arrival. A similar celebration was held on Ensign Peak, 50 years later in 1947.
Not long after the pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, Ensign Peak (probably the southern area below the peak, not the actual summit) was also used for a brief period as an outdoor temple until the Endowment House was constructed.
Ensign Peak has also had its controversial moments. For example, on Feb. 23, 1925, the Ku Klux Klan surprised Salt Lake residents by burning a red cross on the peak. The Klan also unexpectedly burned more crosses on the peak and had an initiation ceremony less than two months later in April 1925.
The 18-foot-tall monument on Ensign Peak was placed there on July 26, 1934, by the Salt Lake Ensign Stake Mutual Improvement Association. Stones gathered from all along the Mormon Trail are incorporated into the rock monument.
The trail and area were improved in 1997, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Mormon pioneers into the valley.
To access Ensign Peak, drive up State Street to the top and turn right (east) on East Capitol Boulevard. Head upward about a mile and turn left (west) onto North Sandrun Drive. Just before and east of the Ensign Peak LDS meetinghouse, turn north (upward) onto Greenstroke Drive. It connects with Ensign Vista Drive, where Ensign Nature Park and trailhead is — directly above the LDS church.
Limited parking is available along the street. More parking can be found below, around the church.
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com