Copyright © Ensign Peak Foundation, 2006-2020. Photo by … Ronald W. Walker, “A Gauge of the Times: Ensign Peak in the Twentieth Century,” Utah Historical Quarterly, 1994. President Hinckley dedicated it that it may “be a place of pondering, a place of remembrance, a place of thoughtful gratitude, a place of purposeful resolution.”6 The effort was headed by the Ensign Peak Foundation later known as the Mormon Historic Sites Foundation, who worked closely with the Salt Lake City Corporation. Type: First-person account Ensign Peak Park, Salt Lake City, Utah. The monument that sits atop Ensign Peak today was built on July 26, 1934. Most bikers don't go actually go to Ensign Peak. 1 Contributor, Volume 1, No. The peak offers amazing views of the entire valley. Drive up East Capitol Blvd about 8 blocks past the Utah State Capitol and turn left on Ensign Vista Dr. Ensign Peak Nature Park offers exhibits and a trail up to the monument. In 1934, an 18-foot monument was placed there by the Salt Lake Ensign Stake Mutual Improvement Associations. A view of the Wasatch with the State Capitol in the right corner. Write-up by Jake Bardsley. 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. Easy 15-20 min hike to the summit, depending on your fitness level (I still recommend wearing proper shoes and taking a small bottle of water). Utah 84101. 99 West S. Temple, During the dedication ceremony, the Ensign Peak Foundation presented the park to the people of Salt Lake City. Two days after arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young and seven other pioneer leaders climbed the mountain to survey the valley. 3 Brigham H. Roberts, Conference Report, (April 1915), 130. On July 26, 1996, the site was officially dedicated as both a historic and nature park by LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley. In 1934 a monument was built, honoring the men who climbed the hill in 1847. Le sentier offre des vues panoramiques et sa difficulté est évaluée comme facile. On July 26, 1996, President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the Ensign Peak Nature Park which included Ensign Peak and an additional 66 acres surrounding it. Ronald W. Walker, “‘A Banner is Unfurled’: Mormonism’s Ensign Peak,”  Dialogue, 1993. For more information about the Mormon heritage and culture, visit TempleSquare.com. Under the direction of President Joseph F. Smith, Elder Wells oversaw the construction of a cottage and a granite monument to honor the Prophet Joseph Smith. Ensign Peak is a natural landmark near Salt Lake City, Utah, rising 1,080 feet from the valley floor. A small monument now sits on the summit. Over the years Ensign Peak has been the site of numerous civic and religious ceremonies. 2 George Albert Smith, Conference Report, (April 1927), 85 – 86. There are also a few more historical signs at the top of Ensign Peak. IT'S Utah's most sacred mountain - kind of the state's own version of Mount Sinai. So if you descend this trail, be very careful. Source(s): Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. This short hike is close to the city center and offers panoramic views of Salt Lake. The hike is short and easy. (Source: Mormon Historic Sites Foundation) The lyrics to the beloved Latter-day Saint hymn, “High on the Mountain Top,” were written by Joel Johnson in 1853 as he looked up at Ensign Peak and considered the words of Isaiah: Directions to Ensign Peak: From downtown SLC, head north on State Street to the Capitol Building. 0.5 mi/0.8 km one-way. Brigham Young named the spot Ensign Peak. From the peak, the early town leaders laid out plans for Salt Lake City. A maintained trail leads from the chapel to the summit. It was suggested that this would be a fitting place to “set up an ensign for the nations” where the Lord “shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth”, as foretold in Isaih 11:12. [London: Latter-day Saints’ Book Depot, 1854-1886], 13: 86. Ensign Peak is at the north end of the Salt Lake Valley, above the State Capitol building. Efforts to preserve the summit as a park began in 1908. Charles Good Monument – Ensign Peak Foundation Charles Good Monument, Des Moines, Iowa The Mormon Historic Sites Foundation, in conjunction with the Iowa State Historical Society, is planning to erect a sculpture to pay tribute to Mr. Charles Good. The monument atop Ensign Peak Mount Olympus is the dark mountain in the foreground, behind Olympus is Twin Peaks, behind Twin is the Pfiefferhorn, Thunder Mountain, Chipman Peak and Lone Peak. On July 26, 1996, the site was officially dedicated as both a historic and nature park by LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley. Ensign Peak. Here is an exhibit that shows you what you are looking at below. The View Of Salt Lake City Exhibit. The monument at the top of Ensign Peak. Le sentier offre plusieurs activités et est accessible toute l'année. B. H. Roberts, “The ‘Mormons’ and the United States Flag,” Improvement Era, November 1921. Ensign Peak Trail and Overlook est un sentier allez-retour de 0.8 miles très fréquenté situé près de Salt Lake City, Utah. Accessible from early spring to … Significant to these endeavors, in 1934 the Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmarks Association became part of the effort of the Ensign Stake to construct a monument and marker on Ensign Peak. By Andrew Johnson, October 7, 2018. On a sunny mid-September day earlier this fall, an obelisk honoring the Smith family was placed in Topsfield’s Pine Grove Cemetery by the Ensign Peak Foundation (formerly known as the Mormon Historic Sites Foundation) in collaboration with town officials. Embedded near the top of the north face of the monument, opposite the face containing the marker, is a cracked stone slab on which the word “Kolob” is inscribed. Within a short time a flagpole was erected and one of those flags was flown from the peak. Joseph Smith Memorial Building: Huge theatre and helpful staff - See 675 traveler reviews, 205 candid photos, and great deals for Salt Lake City, UT, at Tripadvisor. On July 26, 1847, Brigham Young and other early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) climbed this hill and gave the peak its present name. Speakers and leaders of all faiths participated in the celebration. A cloudy day up at Ensign Peak. Ensign Peak. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also constructed a memorial garden near the base of the peak which tells of the peaks’ significance and the early pioneers who built up the Salt Lake Valley. In 1934 a monument was built, honoring the men who climbed the hill in 1847. It was then named Ensign Peak, and in later years a standard was erected on its summit. It plunges down 1/2 mile to a monument on Ensign Vista Drive. Be careful on the way down the mountain. Ensign Peak Monument and Marker. The men fastened a yellow bandanna to a cane and waved it from the mountain peak. 4. The monument is comprised of stones collected from stakes along the Mormon Trail. Ensign Peak Park: Tickets & Tours‎ ... Unbelievable Monument. Homes now cover the bottom two-thirds of the hill. Ramus, Illinois was originally settled by Revolutionary War veteran Ute Perkins and his family in 1826 and lies approximately 20 miles east of Nauvoo, Illinois. It's not as if Utah lacks of hiking and other outdoor opportunities, however Ensign Peak is a wonderful escape from the Salt Lake City hustle and bustle. Utah's Historic 'Mount Sinai' -- Ensign Peak. If you get in Salt Lake City, this is a must to see. We enjoyed the beautiful views and the history of hiking Ensign Peak. All Rights Reserved. An LDS chapel and park stand at the upper end of the developed land and serve as a staging area for people who wish to climb the summit. A public trail up to the peak, with a monument garden at its base, starts off Ensign Vista Drive in Salt Lake City. Utah's state capitol building stands on a shelf part way up the hill. 5 The inscriptions of the names of some stakes are still visible today. The monument at the top of the hill is 18.47 feet tall, and was designed by Brigham Young’s grandson, George Cannon Young. 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. It may be a LDS temple and if your not a member they open there arms to all. 6 “Park at Ensign Peak Dedicated,” LDS Church News, August 3, 1996. Ensign Peak is a prominent hill on the northern edge of the Salt Lake Valley. The Ensign Peak Monument lets you know that you’ve made it to the top. Ensign Peak also became a place to gather for meditation and religious ceremonies. There are many Mormon history sites and monuments in Salt Lake City. Ramus, Illinois, USA. From its summit they laid out in their minds the city they intended to build. Downtown Salt Lake City, looking down State Street. 4 “Ensign Peak-Utah’s Own Mount Sinai,” LDS Church News, July 20, 1991. The state capitol building is the only clear building you can see. 1 At the time of its initial settlement, Ramus was referred to as the Perkins Settlement, after the Perkins family. 4 The monument is comprised of stones collected from stakes along the Mormon Trail. It is approximately one mile north of the Utah State Capitol and sits almost directly behind it. All rights reserved. Standing at eighteen feet high, the Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmarks Association are responsible for its construction. Brigham Young claimed a vision from God directed him to lead his people into the Salt Lake Valley. 11, (August 1880), 253. It starts to get fuzzy towards the horizon. Utah Travel Grand Falls, Little Colorado River, Arizona, Sutter’s Mill, Coloma, El Dorado County, California, Christ Church, German Reformed Church, Fayette, Henry Grow Jr. Ancestral Home, Penn Valley, Pennsylvania, Gordon B. Hinckley Missionary Apartment Preston. Copyright © 2020 Utah.com. However this 18.47-foot-high marker was later destroyed by vandals. Ensign Peak Monument. The Ensign Peak Foundation was originally formed in 1992. Reviewed October 2, 2018 via mobile . From its summit they laid out in their minds the city they intended to build. The hill has religious significance in LDS Church history and in its symbolism. Placed by: Pioneer Trails and Assoc. After arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, President Brigham Young and eight others hiked a nearby peak. We were happy to be above the inversion. The Ramus maker placed in May 2000 Photo courtesy of Alexander L. Baugh. In 1934, an 18-foot monument was placed there by the Salt Lake Ensign Stake Mutual Improvement Associations.4 The monument is comprised of stones collected from stakes along the Mormon Trail.5 The inscriptions of the names of some stakes are still visible today. Photo by Kenneth Mays. Ensign Peak Advisorsis an investment manager for assets of the LDS Church and is named after Ensig… Ensign Peak Plaque Ensign Peak sits just above Capitol Hill, close enough to hike from the Capitol grounds to the top of the Peak. President Young remarked that it “was a proper place to raise an ensign to the nations” and so it was named Ensign Peak.1 Before leaving Nauvoo, President Young had seen a vision of the Prophet Joseph wherein he was shown the peak and told to “build under the point where the colors fall, and you will prosper and have peace.”2, Elder B. H. Roberts reported that since the Church had no temple after arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, Addison Pratt “was taken to the summit of Ensign Peak and given his endowments, that he might return to those islands of the sea in which he had labored, with greater spiritual power.”3. Ensign Peak . Joseph Smith Memorial Building: Part of the ever-expanding Mormon presence in Utah - See 656 traveler reviews, 205 candid photos, and great deals for Salt Lake City, UT, at Tripadvisor. A new marker was placed there July 21, 1989, and dedicated by LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley, then first counselor in the First Presidency. The first monument on Ensign Peak was placed there July 26, 1934. Industry Website. Ensign Peak Monument reverse. 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. Review of Family History Library. The monument was dedicated by Joseph F. Smith on December 23, 1905, exactly one-hundred-years after the birth of Joseph Smith, Jr. … The Foundation was significantly involved in the preservation and creation of the Ensign Peak Park in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ensign Peak. We look around to-day and behold our city clothed with verdure and beautified with trees and flowers, with streams of water running in almost every direction, and the question is frequently asked, ‘How did you ever find this place?’ I answer, we were led to it by…. Photo by Kenneth Mays. Ensign Peak is a peak in the foothills near downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. You can see the University of Utah, Cottonwood Heights, the Point of the Mountain and more – on clear non hazy days of course. Article Highlights. Ensign Peak Monument is easily seen on most of the hike. Author(s): George A. Smith It is said that Young recognized Ensign Peak as a prominent landmark in his vision, confirming his statement: "This is the right place.". At an elevation of 5,414 feet, this mound-shaped 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. On July 26, 1847, two days after arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young and seven other pioneer leaders climbed the hill to survey the valley. It will be dedicated in coming months when COVID-19 restrictions ease. Ronald W. Walker, “Historic Ensign Peak,” Pioneer, 1995. During the dedication ceremony, the Ensign Peak Foundation presented the park to … At the top of Ensign Peak. Ensign Peak. Suite 2800Salt Lake City, By Lynn Arave. But on a weekend, there will also be a lot of people hiking up. In 1996, Ensign Peak was renovated and the construction of a permanent park began. The Ensign Peak MonumentPhoto courtesy of Alexander L. Baugh. You will know you are at Ensign Peak for there is a large monument that has a plaque placed on it. The Capitol erected a plaque for Ensign Peak in July 1989, and from it’s location on the southwest Capitol grounds visitors can see a clear view of Ensign Peak. Some of these sites include Temple Square, the Church History Museum, This Is the Place Monument, Salt Lake City Cemetery, Mormon Battalion Monument, Welfare Square, and Ensign Peak. The pioneers had carried two American flags with them across the plains. The hike to Ensign Peak is about 1/2 mile which makes this hike 1.0 mile round trip. Utah LDS temples and dedication dates St. George, 1877. The climb is steady up to the peak, but downhill is a breeze. There are a LOT of log-drops on this trail. D. Michael Quinn, “The Flag of the Kingdom of God,”  BYU Studies, 1973. The monument is a 40-ton, 38½-foot tall monument, one foot representing each year of the Prophet’s life. And creation of the Wasatch with the State Capitol building stands on weekend... Mutual Improvement Association north end of the Prophet ’ s life mile trip! The mountain to survey the Valley floor Utah 's Historic 'Mount Sinai ' -- Ensign today. 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