We were in Utah from San Diego, trying to bag all 6 peaks inn5 days. Unfortunately (4) of the 6 were still closed due to snow so Ethan, Utah curator, gave us (3) alternates. This was one. We managed 5/6, and have a contingency plan to try and come back later this year. Maybe we’ll end up bagging 9 peaks if we can time travel right.

To the saddle is moderate, just avoid a later start, we started at 0900 and i was worried about the heat going up, honestly it’s the heat coming down that got to me, by 13:30 it was 80°. Plenty of shade on the way up but a lot of that was gone by the time I started back down at 13:30. Didn’t feel the climb up until 1.77 miles, probably was too distracted by the road noise [hence the (-1 star) couldn’t escape it until past the creek].

On the way up, once at the creek bed, I soaked my long sleeved UV button up in the water and started with it around my neck and shoulders only; but the bugs came out, fast and hungry, so I put it on to avoid bites! So glad I opted for long sleeve cover and pants! The bugs/flies were relentless.
I’m visiting from So Cal and thought the hike from the creek to the saddle was easy/moderate, reminded me a lot of hikes I’ve done in Big Bear. I should add, I rate them based off how many times I needed to stop to catch my breath, didn’t feel the need to stop for anything other than to adjust gear.
The saddle isn’t clearly distinguishable, but as soon as the scramble starts, people quickly realize they passed it, and bow out of the summit scramble.

The hike to the summit, this was challenging. If you think, “meh the tread on these trail runners could get me through one more hike”, you’re probably mistaken. The climb isn’t for the faint of heart and good tread is safer, yah people did do it in vans (I saw it) but is it safe/wise too? I don’t think so why tempt fate, who knows what their skills are? Or, how many near slip and falls they had, I had one, “oh $%#&!”, moment and I knew it was time to retire my shoes when I excited this hike…especially after the scree and loose rock on the trail from the saddle down (did I mention, down was more difficult imo). I digress. Made it to the top of Mount Olympus! Not sure by what path b/c it’s a create your own adventure 50% of the time, then you get lucky and see a “trail” (of sorts), follow that until you’re staring at another group of boulders, wondering “how the hell am I supposed to get up that”, I can’t imagine doing this on a busy day, but I can see the advantage. I wished I had seen more people so I would have had a clearer (maybe) path to take up, but also, there was a lot of loose rock, so glad I’m also grateful it wasn’t busy, cause I definitely thought about what could happen in crowded situations with falling/loose rocks. The way down the scramble was easier to navigate, although I stayed low and, boy did my knees start yelling at me (not typical).

I’m glad I went up but if you’re even a little afraid of heights or maybe start it and think, “this isn’t comfortable/fun”, there’s no shame in bailing.

Three snake spottings, one was by my hiking buddy otw up, one was a trail report, and lucky me, crossed paths with one on the way down. He/she was more scared off me and scurried off in a jiff, looked like a garter snake.

Happy trails!