Mt. Olympus Wilderness

What is Mount Olympus?

Mount Olympus Wilderness Area was designated in 1984 as part of the Utah Wilderness Act. This area is 15,292 acres, which is located southwest of Salt Lake City and is between Big Cottonwood Canyon and Mill Creek Canyon. Mt Olympus Wilderness ranges from 5000 feet to 10,000 feet in elevation and is home to unparalleled backcountry skiing, splitboarding, snowshoeing and hiking. High peaks and shaded valleys are sought out by the many visitors to this highly accessible wilderness area. Notable peaks in this area are Mount Olympus, Gobblers Knob and Mount Raymond.

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Commonly Asked:

Are dogs allowed in Mount Olympus Wilderness?

Yes, dogs are allowed in Mount Olympus Wilderness, but in specific spots. Dogs are not allowed within areas of this wilderness that fall into the designated watershed. Dogs are prohibited on the Big Cottonwood side of the wilderness area. Dogs must be under verbal control or leashed on the Mill Creek Canyon side of Mount Olympus and leashed on even numbered days of the month in Salt Lake County. This is a Salt Lake City ordinance.

Is Mount Olympus Wilderness in a watershed area?

Yes, parts of Mount Olympus fall into the designated watershed, but the entire wilderness area is not in a watershed area. When recreating make sure you know your location to ensure you are following the proper rules.

Are pack animals allowed in Mount Olympus?

Pack animals are allowed in parts of Mount Olympus, but are not allowed in other wilderness areas in the Central Wasatch Mountains. Pack or saddle animals cannot be restrained within 200 feet of water on the Mill Creek side of the wilderness. These animals are prohibited in the Big Cottonwood side of the wilderness.

Trails:

There are 12 trail systems in Mount Olympus Wilderness. These trails are:

  • Mill B North Fork Trail
  • Neffs Canyon Trail
  • Butler Fork Trail
  • Z Trail to Tolcats Canyon
  • Mill A Basin Trail
  • Heughs Canyon Trail
  • BST: Tolcats Canyon to Heughs Canyon
  • Mount Raymond Summit Trail
  • Desolation Trail
  • Thaynes Canyon Trail
  • Bowman Fork Trail
  • Alexander-Bowman Trail

Rules:

General Wilderness Rules:

These are rules that apply to all wilderness areas.

These rules are:

  • Motorized equipment is prohibited.
  • Equipment used for mechanical transport are prohibited.
  • Motor vehicles, motor boats, bikes, carts, gliders, wagons and the landing of aircraft and helicopters are all prohibited.

Specific Wilderness Rules:

  • Group cannot exceed 10 people.
  • Must camp 200 feet or farther from trail or source of water.
  • Camp 100 feet from other campsites.
  • Maximum stay at one campsite is 3 days.
  • No short cutting switchbacks.
  • Must pack out garbage, waste and debris.
  • Camping is restricted ½ mile from Big Cottonwood Highway and Mill Creek Canyon Road, 200 feet from any trail or source of water and 100 feet from any other campers.
  • Campfires are prohibited ½ mile from Big Cottonwood Highway and Mill Creek Canyon Road.
  • Dogs are prohibited on the Big Cottonwood side of the wilderness area.
  • Dogs must be under verbal control or leashed on the Mill Creek Canyon side of Mount Olympus and leashed on even numbered days of the month in Salt Lake County. This is a Salt Lake City ordinance.
  • Bathing, swimming and wading in bodies of water on the Big Cottonwood side of the wilderness area is prohibited.
  • Pack out waste, do not leave it in a wilderness area.
  • Pack or saddle stock cannot be restrained within 200 feet of water on the Mill Creek side of the wilderness.
  • Pack and saddle stock are prohibited in the Big Cottonwood side of the wilderness.

Watershed Rules:

Parts of this Wilderness lay within watershed areas, so there are special concerns to remember when in this area. Watershed rules to follow are:

  • No dogs or domesticated animals.
  • Must camp 200 feet or farther from any body of water.
  • No swimming, bathing, or washing clothing, utensils and other products.
  • It is prohibited to pollute or allow pollution in any body of water.
  • To deposit human excreta within the watershed area other than into approved toilets is prohibited.

To learn more about why wilderness rules are placed:

https://wilderness.net/learn-about-wilderness/regulations.php

Seven Leave No Trace Principles

These are commonly used practices in wilderness areas and watershed areas because they limit impact on an area and help keep the area healthy. Leave No Trace principles are:

  • Plan Ahead & Be Prepared
    • Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit.
    • Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
    • Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
    • Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
    • Repackage food to minimize waste.
    • Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
  • Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
    • Durable surfaces include established trails, campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
    • Protected riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
    • Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
    • In popular areas:
      • Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
      • Walk in single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
      • Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
    • In pristine areas:
      • Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails
      • Avoid places where human impact is just beginning to show.
    • Dispose of Waste Properly
      • Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
      • Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
      • Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
      • To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
    • Leave What You Find
      • Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
      • Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as your find them.
      • Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
      • Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
    • Minimize Campfire Impacts
      • Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the environment. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
      • Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
      • Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
      • Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
    • Respect Wildlife
      • Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
      • Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
      • Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
      • Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
      • Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
    • Be Considerate of Other Visitors
      • Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
      • Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
      • Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
      • Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
      • Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.

To learn more about Leave No Trace:

https://lnt.org

Animals/plants:

Mount Olympus Wilderness is home to many spectacular flora and fauna that are native to the area. Here is listing of many of the animals and plants that live in the area: