Summer is approaching, which means it’s time to switch gears from skiing in the mountains to hiking in the mountains, my favorite time of year!
If you have a big hike you are preparing for and you live in Utah, then this post is for you.
Over the years I’ve trained for several big hikes: Machu Picchu, Angel’s Landing, Half Dome, and the Grand Canyon. In more recent years, training for them has gotten tricky since we have the two kiddos at home. If possible, I try to spare the babysitters (our parents) from watching the kids for extended training hikes.
I found in preparing for the Grand Canyon that I was able to suitably train my body for the intensive experience with some pretty short hikes! Doing multiple short but steep hikes can whip your body into hiking shape just as well as doing 1-2 long hikes, and without disappearing for a whole day at a time.
Here are my top 3 short training hikes in Northern Utah.
And by short, I do not mean easy.
1. Malans Peak (Ogden)
The trail is about 5 miles round trip with roughly 2,100 feet of elevation gain, which means you’re basically climbing straight up the mountain most of the time.
It took us just under 3 hours, and since my parents had committed to watching the kids for 5-6 hours, we were able to go see a movie afterwards!
If you want a hike that absolutely destroys your legs and lungs in a short distance, this is the one.
Trailhead:
29th Street Trailhead
29th St & Buchanan Ave
Ogden, UT
The reward at the top is an incredible view over Ogden and the Great Salt Lake.
This hike is perfect for building climbing strength without committing to a long day.
2. Morgan “M” (Morgan)
The Morgan “M” trail is short, steep, and incredibly effective as a training hike.
The hike is only about 1.3–1.5 miles round trip (to the flagpole by the “M” and back) but gains around 800 feet of elevation. It usually takes me about 45 minutes.
In other words, it’s basically a straight-up grind.
I’ve only ever done this trail super early in the morning before the sun comes up, which is to my advantage, because if I could actually see the steepness of the trail by the light of day, I’d maybe not make the ascent!
Trailhead:
Park in the South Morgan Cemetery by the gate
335 S State St, Morgan, UT 84050
One important note: this trail is private property. When people abuse the trail or ignore the rules, the landowners sometimes lock the gate and close access, so behave yourself if you go.
3. Adams Cabin (Layton) – First Mile
This trail shares the same trailhead as the very popular Adam’s Canyon Waterfall trail, but it goes in a different direction.
The first time I did this trail was with Chris when we were training for the Grand Canyon, but we had a hard time finding the right trail. That’s because it is not well-marked, and let’s just say not many people seem eager to climb it. This trail is for crazy people.
The first half mile follows the Adams Canyon trail like normal. When you reach the Bonneville Shoreline Trail junction, the sign will direct you left for the shoreline trail and right toward the waterfall.
We just knew we weren’t going to the waterfall, so we turned left and strolled along the Bonneville Shoreline trail for a good 1/3 mile before realizing we should probably turn around.
So we made our way back to the junction and realized that neither direction is the Adams Cabin trail.
Instead, at the junction, look straight up the mountain. That’s the route. I told you – this trail is for crazy people!
I hear the reward at the end of this trail is an actual cabin that George Adams himself used back in the late 1800’s. I guess backpackers sometimes stay there to rest. There are no amenities or anything, just a quiet spot.
The full hike to Adams Cabin is about 5.4 miles round trip with roughly 2,877 feet of elevation gain.
I’ve never actually gone all the way to the cabin because the hike can take 5–6 hours and is extremely steep. I would like to make it there one day.
Instead, I usually hike just over the first mile, which is brutal enough. That makes it a little over 2 miles round trip with about 1,145 feet of elevation gain.
It usually takes me around 1.5 hours, including time to enjoy the view over Layton from a beautiful and serene clearing surrounded by massive boulders.
Trailhead:
2000 E Eastside Drive
Layton, UT 84040
If You Want a Longer Training Hike
If you’re ready to step things up, my favorite longer training hike is Ben Lomond Peak from North Ogden Divide.
This route is about 18 miles RT (it is said to be ~15 miles RT, but both my All Trails app and my Fitbit clocked it at 18) with roughly 3,600 feet of elevation gain.
Trailhead:
North Ogden Divide Trailhead
North Ogden Divide Road
North Ogden, UT
This is an excellent training hike because it’s long enough to simulate the endurance needed for bigger adventures like the Grand Canyon.
There are shorter trails to Ben Lomond, but this is an endurance exercise. Fair warning though , you can see the parking lot from miles away, which gets discouraging when you’re tired and just wish you were at the car already.
The Famous One I Haven’t Done
A lot of people recommend hiking Mount Timpanogos as training, but I’ve actually never done it.
Mostly because it’s pretty far from where I live. Chris has done it though, and he has the unpopular opinion that the view at the top isn’t worth the effort.
For reference, the main routes up Mount Timpanogos are about 14–15 miles round trip with roughly 4,400–5,000 feet of elevation gain, making it one of the most strenuous day hikes in Utah.
Trailhead (Aspen Grove Route):
Aspen Grove Trailhead near Sundance Resort
American Fork Canyon, Utah County
Final Thoughts
Training for big hikes doesn’t have to mean spending all day in the mountains.
If you have limited time (or small kids at home like I do), short hikes with steep elevation gain can prepare your body surprisingly well.
In my experience, a few weeks of grinding up trails like Malans Peak, the Morgan M, and Adams Cabin can build enough strength and endurance to handle much bigger adventures.
And to be fair, sometimes the short hikes hurt the most.
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Packing for Adventure 
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