Jack's Mountain

3 mi RT
moderately strenuous
year round

Jack’s Mountain is a scenic viewpoint located in the foothills above Salt Lake City that serves as a memorial for a young boy named Jack Edwards who died of Leukemia in 1995. The memorial consists of two mailboxes containing journals filled with Jack’s story from his mother’s point of view, as well as comments from visitors throughout the years. A prominent ‘welcome’ sign on the front of the mailboxes invites visitors to sit and read Jack’s story.

This hike is suitable for most healthy adults and children but is quite strenuous as it gains over 1,200 feet in just 1.5 miles.

Trailhead

The hike to Jack’s Mountain begins at a cul-de-sac at the top of Lakeline Drive on the east side of Salt Lake City (40.728966,-111.806297).

Drive east on Interstate 80 in Salt Lake to Exit 127 for Foothill Drive.
Drive 0.7 miles north on Foothill Drive to the first traffic light and turn right onto Thunderbird Drive.
Continue on Thunderbird Drive for 0.2 miles then turn right onto Scenic Drive.
Continue on Scenic Drive for 0.1 Miles then turn left onto Lakeline Drive.
Drive north on Lakeline Drive for 0.7 miles until you reach the end of the road at a cul-de-sac.
There are no facilities at the trailhead. This is a residential neighborhood so be respectful of residents by not blocking driveways and mailboxes. The trail is located behind a gate on the west side of the cul-de-sac. Do not block the gate.

The Hike

From the trailhead, walk west on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail for about 200 yards before turning right onto an unsigned trail, which leads steeply up to the ridge above. Once on the ridge, turn right and follow the trail toward the communication tower in the distance.

Once at the communication tower, the trail turns a little to the right and drops slightly before the final steep climb to the top of Jack’s Mountain. The trail is easy to follow but can be quite steep with loose, rocky sections.

The trail soon ends at the top of Jack’s Mountain at 6,475 feet. The mailboxes and memorial are located amongst some rock outcroppings on the north side of the peak. Take some time to soak in the view and read the journals before returning the way you came. Total round trip hiking distance is approximately 3 miles.

Rules and Regulations

Keep dogs under control at all times.
No littering.
Pack out trash.
Special Considerations

This hike can be a particularly good hike in the winter if there isn’t much snow in the foothills or with the assistance of snowshoes or other traction devices.


Jacks Mountain from Carrigan Canyon TH
 Hike Time (roundtrip): 2.0 to 3.0 hours
 Distance (roundtrip): 2.6 miles
 Elevation Gain: 1232 feet
Main Aspect: SouthWest
 Climb Rate: 948 feet per mile
 Average Grade: 18%
Notes: The trail climbs up the steep foothills with little vegatative cover, except for a few patches of Gambels Oak. Most of the trail is on the ridgeline, so there are great views along the way.

Trailhead: Carrigan Canyon TH
 Trailhead Elevation: 5240 ft
Trailhead Outhouse: No
Area: Salt Lake Valley
Area Location: Various locations on East Bench in Salt Lake
Area Fee: None
Dogs Allowed: No
Notes: This trailhead is at the end of a culdesac, where it meets up with the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.

Destination: Jacks Mountain
 Elevation: 6472 Feature: Peak
Notes: Jacks Mountain is a worthy goal above SLC. There are mailboxes there with journals, written to a child named Jack who died of leukemia in 1995.