And surrounding areas
A beautiful area of Salt Lake City which is somewhat of a tourist attraction as well as a place of historical significance to Utah is Ensign Peak. When you hike to the top, you are able to see the entire Salt Lake Valley on a clear day.
Anyone visiting the Utah State Capitol could go a short distance further to get to Ensign Peak.
If you drive straight up State Street in Salt Lake City and turn right at the State Capitol, you will be going up East Capitol Boulevard on the way to Ensign Peak. The address of Ensign Peak is 1002 N. Ensign Vista Drive. "Ensign Peak" can be put into a GPS.
Ensign Peak is a peak in the foothills near downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. It is approximately one mile north of the Utah State Capitol and sits almost directly behind it. On July 26, 1847, Brigham Young and other early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints climbed this hill and gave the peak its present name. The hill has religious significance in LDS Church history and in its symbolism. [Wikipedia]
Before you reach the top, there will be a lookout area where you can rest for a while and learn more about Ensign Peak.
The beautiful Salt Lake Valley can be seen in all directions from Ensign Peak. It is possible to see as far south as the Point of the Mountain and north to Bountiful.
Climbing Ensign Peak is not a difficult hike. There is a trail which is gradual. It is slightly steep in spots and winds up the mountain. The hike itself takes about twenty minutes to get to the top. There is no shade so a hat and sunscreen are recommended.
There is a rock monument which has been erected at the top of Ensign Peak.
Getting to the top of Ensign Peak and spending time looking at the views will take an hour or more (depending on how much time is spent enjoying the spectacular views of the Valley.
When Former Vice President Mike Pence and his family visited Salt Lake City to participate in the debate with Kamala Harris for the candidates for Vice President before the 2020 election, Mike Pence wanted to hike up to Ensign Peak. There was a large motorcade of black SUVs and police vehicles to accompany his family. Neighbors lined East Capitol Boulevard and surrounding streets to catch a glimpse of the motorcade even though people were unable to see the Vice President through the tinted windows. People watching could not tell which car he was in as the cars drove by. [My family was outdoors watching the motorcade along with some of our neighbors.]
Ensign Peak Park, the Foundation’s first project, was dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on July 26, 1996. Dedication occurred one-hundred-and-forty-nine years to the day after Brigham Young and eight associates climbed the peak on July 26, 1847, two days after the arrival of the Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley. The park includes Ensign Peak, the identifying landmark which Brigham Young had seen in vision arriving in the valley, and approximately 66 acres of surrounding open space. [www.ensignpeakfoundation.org]
The Ensign Peak Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to identify, preserve, and commemorate sites, events, and people of significance in Mormon history throughout the world. [www.ensignpeakfoundation.org]
Ensign Peak is well worth the visit for anyone who is able to make the hike up to the top. The views are spectacular. If you are not able to do the hike, the Ensign Peak Park area is still a nice place to visit. It is a beautiful part of Salt Lake City.
Comments / 0