Hughes to Olympus - A Bucket List Hike

 Mt Olympus is the guardian and icon of the Salt Lake Valley. This unique set of peaks can be seen from every angle of our valley, as long as there isn't smog or a storm. Growing up here in Holladay in the days before Siri and Google Maps, I always knew where I was, and what direction was east, by simply finding where Oly was. It was the first thing I looked at and look at each morning from my home.  My parents, my siblings, my youth leaders, even my sport coaches talked about hiking Mt Olympus. More important than talking about it, they actually took me up there. And I quickly learned why: the views are stunning, not only of the valley, but also of the rest of the Wasatch to the north and south. With time on the summit of Oly over my  youth years and into my mid-life years, my love affair with this particular peak has only grown. 

It  is a special mountain with special meaning to me. So I have wanted over the years to understand the mountain and see the mountain from various perspectives. 

I have learned that there are 4 ways to summit Oly, and none of them are easy. There are technically many more routes, but these are the 4 I am familiar with in studying various maps, talking with people who know the mountain well, and doing my own recon up there.  First is "The Standard" trail to the south peak. 99% of all people going up the mountain take this well-worn and well-market path. Second is "The Shoulder" up the northwest slope, which consists of a pretty good bushwack. After getting to the ridge, it's a fun scramble up to North Peak, where you then have the option to climb down and up the Tolcat Canyon Saddle and up to the South Peak. Third route is collectively known as "The Cols" up the north rock slopes, ravines, and couloirs to the North Peak. Some of these north-facing routes require ropes, while others just require good 4WD hiking boots and plenty of ambition as you scramble on all four appendages up the sheer rock slabs, ultimately landing on the North Peak. The fourth and final route is the least known to me (and others) and has therefore captivated me most for some time now:

Hughes Canyon to Saddle to South Peak Mount Olympus.

The goal of this looper was to connect the Hughes Canyon to the Standard Olympus trail; bushwacking was inevitable. 

Hughes is a hidden gem of the Mount Olympus Wilderness. First, and perhaps fortunately, it's hard to even find the trailhead because of all the housing development that has occurred in Canyon Cove Subdivision. Once you do find a legal place to park and the trail itself to get into the canyon proper, it becomes quiet and peaceful as you leave the white noise from the valley. After a short 2 mile hike, you arrive at an intimate waterfall and a great overlook of the valley. I recommend this waterfall hike as a great place to introduce your family to the rugged and raw Mount Olympus Wilderness. 

Lingo, Wetzel, and I worked our way past this waterfall largely in the dark. After moving from black  night to the pre-dawn grays, I was stunned when I suddenly was treated to this vista.

Dawn in Upper Hughes Canyon. (No, this picture is not filtered or modified in any way.) 

The trail begins to fade here. We went as far as I had explored in this mountain previously. We knew we had to turn north and leave the relative comfort of the canyon bottom. We knew here that bushwacking was unavoidable. We girt up our loins and turned north. 

As we began, the strategy through the sticker weeds, grasses, bushes, ferns, scrub oaks, fallen timber, and other vegetation was simply "taking the path of least resistance." However, we soon learned that we would get off course easily if we followed this strategy too stringently. We debated route options frequently through this section. I knew this would be the most challenging section of the entire hike, but we kept our spirits up. The right attitude is so key to bushwacking, I have learned over the years.  Unfortunately, I didn't have my high socks on so my legs took the brunt of the cuts. Fortunately, light was increasing and we were getting above the heavy vegetation so we could see our destination clearer. So those two factors somewhat offset each other and the attitude through the bushwack remained relatively good.

Twin Peaks already had some early snow on it. 

We then unexpectedly broke out of the heavy brush and arrived at a boulder and cliff section. This change in terrain was so welcome from the heavy bushwack down below. Our pace increased through  here. 

Boulder scrambling was definitely preferred over the heavy vegetation. The upper saddle can be seen up ahead.

Shortly after this boulder field, we were back to some traditional bushwacking combined with free scrambling on some shallow cliffs. We then came over a ridge and looking north saw the most welcome sight for me: the Mount Olympus Saddle, a mere 200 yards away. Once we got to the trail, what relief came over us! 

We then quickly headed up to the Saddle and up to the peak where we enjoyed our "breakfast" on top. We then ran down the normal trail, back to Shoreline Connector, and back to our cars parked near Hughes Canyon. The Looper was complete.

A quick stop for a dual-selfie on the way down. 

Lingo navigating the technical downhill of Hughes amid beautiful Fall colors. 

Overall, it was one of the most memorable mountain experiences I have had on Old Oly, consisting of trail running at all speeds, route finding/debating, painful bushwacking, free climbing, back tracking, and ultimately conquering. As I look outside now with freshly fallen snow and chilling winds, I am so grateful I got to do this looper run before winter set in!

Lingo pointing out the terrain. 

Wetzel basking in the views.

Wildcat Ridge and Mount Raymond beyond. A future looper?.?.?.?

I want to personally thank Lingo and Wetzel for coming with me on this adventure. I have been discussing it with them for several months now. They finally indulged me and joined in. They were hesitant on my vision at first, but I think they were ultimately grateful they joined along on this adventure run.

p.s. After finishing all my honey-do's for that Saturday, I was able to slip away to the Lower Provo River with Colter for some fall fly-fishing. It was his first time nymphing on a river. I think he enjoyed it, just a little bit. The proof is in the pics...