Mount Wire is a stunning hike located in Salt Lake City Utah. It features a tower with a ladder at the top to an old beacon tower, incredible 360 degree views, a steep ascent, and is one of the best overlook spots of the valley below. This peak is also often called “Big Beacon”.
Because of the trail system, there are several ways to reach the summit, we highlight the different options below.
Distance – 4.8 miles round trip (7.72 km)
Height – 7,110 feet (2167.13 m)
Elevation gain – 2,100 feet (643 meters)
Duration – 4-5 hours
Difficulty – Intermediate
Trailhead Location – Colorow Road, Salt Lake City (Directions Below)
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Routes | Trail Map | Lodging Info | Weather | Directions | Pictures
We recommend that most hikers take the Living Room Trail before diverging off of this trail 1.1 miles in onto an unnamed trial. There are several options here, but this option is the least steep and has the easiest to manage trail compared to the other options.
Hikers begin along Colorow Road and head upwards. There are a couple different paths, all of which hiker can take, and they all eventually converge on the very large, and obvious Bonneville Shoreline Trail. From here, hikers basically cross this trail, and will find a few traveled routes that will take you and converge with the Living Room Trail. It can be a little confusing due to so many small trails from people traveling in different directions, but if any confusion arises, simply ask someone nearby which way to the living room.
Hikers continue upwards 1.1 miles before a bend in the trail. Continuing left, hikers are very the Living Room, but heading to Mount Wire requires a right turn into the trees up a lesser traveled trail up the gully.
From here, hikers continue upwards to the saddle between the Living Room and Mount Wire and then turn right at that saddle to head up towards Mount Wire.
The other trails to Mount Wire are not well maintained, and are quite steep. They feature various points where there is a steep gradient on gravel, rocks, and sometimes loose rocks. We recommend heading up the Living Room trail at least for your first time up this mountain as the other trails are a bit steeper.
From the BST trail, you can look up at Mount Wire, and you’ll notice there are several somewhat traveled steep paths upwards, from just about any of these, you can continue to the summit – but as stated they are steep. Because of this, they are less mileage, but will take many people longer to ascend.
This hike is accessible in winter, but traction in the form of microspikes should be brought due to icy conditions.
We have created an online map and GPX file you can download and see: View Mount Wire Hike Map and GPX File
This hike is located on the north end of Salt Lake City, making it a short drive from just about any hotels or AirBnbs in the city. You’ll even find people running to the trailhead, and running up to the living room from their homes in Salt Lake.
Here is the detailed weather forecast for the next few days. We highly recommend you check out local weather the morning of your hike.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy. Low around 75, with temperatures rising to around 77 overnight. East northeast wind around 9 mph.
Tuesday
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy. High near 90, with temperatures falling to around 87 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tuesday Night
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday Night
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. East wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 90.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 69.
Directions to Main Trailhead. Parking is along the road for free.
In addition, hikers can park at just about any location nearby to access the BST.
Views along The Living Room Trail
