Mount Olympus - Wasatch/Cache, UT

Overview
A short and incredibly steep hike and climb to the summit of Mt. Olympus, the namesake peak of the Mt. Olympus Wilderness. This hike will gain you roughly 4400 feet in less than 3.5 miles.


Warning
The last 0.3 miles of this hike is true class 3 climbing on some relatively slick rock. This part of the scramble would be terribly difficult and likely unsafe in wet conditions.Hike
This is a short and relatively straight forward hike to the summit of Mt. Olympus. Most of the hike is trail hiking up a very steep trail. The last 0.3 miles is a class 3 climb to the magnificent summit of 9.026 foot Mt. Olympus.

Start from the parking lot up the ridiculously steep trail gaining big chunks of elevation from the very first step. The first 0.5 miles switchbacks up the west slopes with views over Salt Lake City, through mostly open terrain laced with small oaks and junipers. After this the trail swings around into Tolcats canyon and enters a more forested stretch, including tons of maple. Rugged walls of the canyon are an inviting view. The ultimate goal of this forested and very steep section is to ultimately reach the ridge line Far above you. This part of the hike is about 2.5 miles of unrelenting but beautiful elevation gain. In fall, especially, the color display is outstanding.

After a total of about 3 miles you will ridge the ridgeline coming south from the Olympus summit. The views east into the wilderness are spectacular. You also get your first view of the magnificent Twin Peaks to the south, towering over Salt Lake at 11,000+ feet. The summit for this hike is to your left or north. The trail leads the way to the summit rocks, where roughly 0.3 miles and 600 feet remain. There are several short stretches of class 3 climbing over very slick/smooth rock along this last part, but the route is fairly obvious and short stretches of hiker's trail/route can be followed. The route is generally north, with a short swing right/east to a small saddle southeast of the summit. The last little stretch leads to the true summit boulders which you can follow a very short ways right/northeast to the true summit with a mailbox register. The views from the top over the Wasatch Mountains, Twin Peaks, and Salt Lake City are absolutely incredible.

2011-10-09 fricknaley & PrestonSands