On June 16, 2019, a colleague and I arrived at the Mount Olympus trailhead in Utah before sunrise. We were in town for a major business event, and our plan was ambitious: hike to the summit, return to the hotel, and then set up our company’s booth.
The day did not unfold as planned. A steep climb, different levels of preparation, and a much slower return turned our summit goal into a lesson in hiking together and leaving enough room between an outdoor adventure and a work commitment.
We did not reach the summit, but the hike gave us memorable encounters, plenty to explore, and lessons worth sharing. This is the story of our partial hike on Mount Olympus, what prompted us to turn around, and what I would do differently on a future visit.
An Early Start and an Ambitious Plan
We planned to reach the trailhead before sunrise, hike to the summit, and return with enough time to shower, change, and set up our company’s booth at a major event. We made the early start, but the rest of the day would prove much less predictable.
Before the trip, I had emailed my colleague information about the route, its difficulty, and what to bring and wear. When we stepped out of the car, I noticed his tennis shoes. That’s when I realized he hadn’t read the preparation details. He had brought a camera, but no hiking supplies.
I had packed extra water, Gatorade, and snack bars, enough to share. My wife also knew our plan and when I expected to be back. Those preparations proved useful. Looking back, the trailhead was a chance to confirm we were both prepared for the hike we planned and, if not, discuss other options before starting.
A Steep Climb and Memorable Encounters
The trail began with steep steps, and our differing levels of preparation soon became apparent. We paused early so my colleague could catch his breath. During that stop, I scrambled onto a nearby rock outcrop to explore before we continued climbing.
We hiked steadily upward, taking breaks for water and snacks. The climb felt long, but conversations with other hikers added memorable moments.
One guy passed us carrying an enormous pack. When we asked about it, he explained that it contained a hang glider and that he planned to fly down. We were working hard just to make our way up, so his approach to the return journey certainly caught our attention.
Deciding to Turn Around
After hours of climbing, I realized reaching the summit together was no longer realistic. I recall we were roughly 70 percent of the way up, though we didn’t record an exact turnaround location.
For a moment, I considered having my colleague rest under trees near a creek with food and drinks while I continued to the summit and returned. Before we acted on that idea, a couple descending the trail warned us about a rattlesnake near the creek. We didn’t see it ourselves, but their warning made me think about the person I was hiking with. I decided we needed to stay together and head down.
My colleague still wanted to continue, however. We found a viewpoint where I could show him the summit and how much climbing remained. After looking at what lay ahead, he agreed to turn around.
I was disappointed, but the summit was only part of the journey. We still had to get back down, and that would take longer than I expected.
A Slow Descent and a Workday Still Ahead
The descent brought a new challenge. My colleague’s toes were hurting in his tennis shoes, and we moved down the trail very slowly. Turning around ended our summit attempt, but it didn’t make the return easy.
As the outing stretched longer than I expected, my wife texted to check on us. She knew our plan and could see that I was still on the trail much later than anticipated. I replied that I was fine and would explain the details later that day. Having someone who knew our plans and noticed the delay mattered.
We made it back safely, returned to the hotel, showered, and changed. Our work commitments were still waiting. With my colleague hurting from the hike, I ended up setting up the booth. He eventually recovered, but the outing had affected more than our morning.
I remained disappointed about missing the summit, and I would like to return someday. That day, though, getting back together and being safe mattered most.
What I Would Do Differently
My main lesson was to confirm preparation before committing to a shared hike. I had researched the route and sent information about its difficulty, what to bring, and what to wear. I hadn’t verified that my colleague had read it and prepared accordingly.
Next time, I would have that conversation before leaving. A shared interest in the outdoors doesn’t necessarily mean two people have the same expectations for a particular hike. Talking through the details would help us decide whether to follow the planned route, choose something less demanding, or make separate plans.
I am happy to adjust an outing for a companion who takes the preparation seriously and makes an honest effort. Reaching the summit together isn’t required for an enjoyable day. What matters to me is that everyone understands the commitment and arrives ready to participate.
Going alone is another option I would have considered, with preparation and a check-in plan suited to a solo hike. My wife already knew my intended route and expected return time. I would still need to assess my readiness, conditions, and available time before deciding whether to proceed.
Once we were on the mountain together, I felt responsible for staying with my colleague and getting back together. The change I would make is to do this earlier: make sure we are both prepared for the same outing before we begin.
Planning a Mount Olympus Hike
We started at the Mount Olympus trailhead on Wasatch Boulevard in Holladay, Utah. Our June 2019 trailhead photo shows a sign listing 3.5 miles to the south summit and about 4,000 feet of elevation gain. Those figures describe the summit route, not the distance we personally completed.
The elevation gain helps explain why mileage alone doesn’t tell the whole story. Our experience involved steep climbing and a slow descent, even without reaching the summit. Choose your objective with both parts of the journey in mind, and confirm that everyone understands the terrain and preparation involved.
For a route overview, consult Visit Utah’s Mount Olympus hiking guide. Before setting out, check with the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest for current conditions, alerts, and access information. Our story and photographs describe a June 2019 visit, not conditions you should expect on any given day.
A Summit Still on My List
Mount Olympus remains a hike I would like to return to someday. Missing the summit was disappointing, but the steep trail, conversations with other hikers, and experience of working through a difficult day gave me plenty to remember.
The lesson I took home was to confirm that everyone is prepared for the outing we intend to share. With that understanding, we can choose to hike together, adjust our objective, or make separate plans before setting out.
If you are considering an adventure during a work trip, read my guide to combining business trips with outdoor adventures. For more preparation ideas, explore our hiking guides and Hiking Over 50 guide.
Adventure Never Gets Old™