October 01, 2012

Malan's Peak Trail

The Trail

This difficult trail is 2.1 miles long (one way) with a 2000 foot elevation change. The trail starts at the end of 27th Street in Ogden. Head up the trails eastward toward the canyon. Although there are multiple trails in this area breaking off in different directions, they all connect and will lead to the canyon; just follow the signs that direct you to the Taylor Canyon Trail.

For the first part of this trail, you will continue up the Taylor Canyon Trail about .8 miles from the trail head (marked with blue flag on map below). At that point, there is a well marked turn off for Malan's Peak to the right heading up the slope. After taking this turn off, the trail will go up a few long switchbacks until you reach the peak.

Topographical Map (blue flag=turn off for Malan's Peak,
red flag=view point)

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

Looking up at the fall colors near the mouth of the canyon

The trail gradually gets slightly steeper as you go up, but overall the climb is pretty steady. This trail is also pretty well shaded most of the way. Just over one mile up, hikers will hit a nice view point overlooking the valley. This also makes a nice stopping point for anyone looking for a shorter trail.

 
The slopes and valley from the view point just over 1 mile up the trail.

There are too many trees along most of the switchback to get many good views of the surrounding peaks, but things do open up a bit here and there.


The view from the peak is fantastic. Whether looking toward the valley:



Or looking toward the peaks and slopes:

Looking up toward Mount Ogden


Looking southward from Malan's Peak
Malan's Peak isn't really a true peak, but if you want to go on a much longer hike, you can continue further along this trail and will eventually reach Mount Ogden's peak. Or, if you continue somewhere around another mile, you will reach Malan's Basin, the site of what once was a mountain resort at the turn of the 20th century.


Directions

This trail is located in Weber County. To get there, from I-15 take Exit 341 for 31st Street in Ogden. Head east on 31st Street until you reach Washington Blvd. Turn left on Washington, and then take the next right onto 30th Street. Continue to Harrison Blvd. and turn left. Then continue to 27th Street and turn right. Continue until the street dead-ends. This is where the trail starts. There is no parking lot, so you will have to park along the street. Please be respectful to the residents and their properties near the trail head.

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