1987 Revival-2021
Dr. Gary Willden standing at the top of Mt. Ogden, 9/21/2002
In 1987, Dr. Gary Willden from the Health Promotion and Human Performance department mentioned the possibility of reviving the Mt. Ogden hike to President Stephen Nadauld, who approved of the endeavor. On October 24, 1987, 40 people participated in a test hike to Mt. Ogden to see the potential of reviving the tradition. The day of the hike was reported to be cold, but from 7 am-9 am hikers started the strenuous climb up the mountain. The Weber State guided hike started from the Snowbasin side, but several hikers made the traditional climb up Taylor’s Canyon. Among the Taylor’s Canyon group was 67-year-old Ruth Orton and her group of friends, Ruth would join the hike every year until around 2009.
Hikers with Mt. Ogden peak in background, c. 1991-1999
Hikers atop Mt. Ogden with Weber State University flag, 2019, photo by Benjamin Zach and WSU marketing department
Saturday, October 1, 1988, marked the official revival of the Mt. Ogden hike. 185 people joined the hike. Again, participants could choose if they wanted to start from the traditional 27th street (Taylor’s Canyon) trailhead taking the Malan’s peak trail, or start from the Snowbasin parking lot where the Weber State guided hike would start. President Stephen Nadauld hosted the ceremony at the mountain saddle and a few of the hikers from the 1922 expedition were driven up the mountain to join the ceremony.
During the September 28, 1991 hike, a plaque was placed on top of Mt. Ogden commemorating Weber State becoming a university.
In 2009, the hike was held on September 19 and 89-year-old Ruth Orton was especially recognized for her regular participation in the hike. Dr. Willden noted in a press release that arrangements were made to ensure Orton would be at the ceremony held at the saddle of Mt. Ogden at 11 am (Kowalewski, 2009). This hike included three potential routes. Taylors Canyon, Snowbasin, and now Beus Canyon trailheads. Beus Canyon is noted as the most difficult route, then Taylors Canyon, with Snowbasin being noted as the easiest route which also offered the use of the Needles chairlift for hikers.
Registration station for Mt. Ogden hike, c. 1991-1999
Hikers and Ruth Orton (center), atop Mt. Ogden, c. 1991-1999
Hikers looking out across Ogden with radio towers atop Mt. Ogden, 9/21/2002
Hiking dog enjoying a treat ontop Mt. Ogden, 9/21/2002
Group of hikers resting ontop of Mt. Ogden saddle, 2002
Plaques atop Mt. Ogden, 2019, photo by Benjamin Zach
Student and a dog ontop of Mt. Ogden, 2019, photo by Benjamin Zach
Hikers starting hike up to Mt. Ogden, photo by Lisa Rajigah, 2020
Hiker with WSU flag, photo by Lisa Rajigah, 2020
Citations:
Kowalewski, J. (September 15, 2009). Annual WSU hike to honor longtime participant. Weber State University. https://www.weber.edu/wsutoday/091509mtogdenhike.html