BYU

Harold B. Lee Library

Brigham Young University and the Timpanogos Hike

Introduction

Brigham Young University is a private university that seeks to develop students of faith, intellect and character who have the skills and the desire to continuing learning and to serve others throughout their lives. Tracing its roots to Utah’s rich pioneer heritage and to Brigham Young Academy, the original school established in 1875, the university continues to provide an outstanding education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of its sponsor, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The annual Timpanogos Hike was established to encourage physical activity in 1912 by Eugene Roberts, an early BYU athletic coach. By the 1960s the hike drew thousands of participants.  In 1970 the Forest Service asked the university to discontinue the organized hike due to severe erosion of the mountainside caused by the increasing number of hikers.  The Mt. Timpanogos hike is still a popular individual activity for students today. Brigham Young University’s remarkable history can be uncovered through many of the collections held in the University Archives. The following source materials can get you started on your exploration of Brigham Young University and the Timpanogos Hike.

Secondary Sources and General information

Collections held by the University Archives will be more useful to your specific research topic after you understand more about the general history of the university. The following resources are available to help you develop that understanding.

  • Histories of Brigham Young University
    • Wilkinson, Ernest L. Brigham Young University: The First One Hundred Years (4 volumes). Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1975.
    • Wilkinson, Ernest L. and W. Cleon Skousen. Brigham Young University: A School of Destiny.  Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1976.
    • Butterworth, Edwin Jr. Brigham Young University: 1,000 Views of 100 Years. Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1975.

Primary Sources

  • Sample materials dealing with the Timpanogos Hike: A sample of the materials that contain information about the Timpanogos Hike. To map out a research strategy, please schedule an appointment with the University Archivist at 422-5821 or gordon_daines@byu.edu for additional help in discovering what other collections we may have that pertain to your research topic.
    • MSS SC 2994 Timpanogos Summit Club pin-back buttons, 1912-1962 Buttons given to participants in the annual Timpanogos Hike held 1912-1971.
    • UA 562 Eugene L. Roberts papers, 1912-1972 This collection documents Eugene L. Roberts’ life and includes information on the Timpanogos Hike from 1912 to 1914. 
    • UA 563 Records, 1914-1968 Records of the Recreation Department. This collection includes a series that documents the Timpanogos Hike from 1923 to 1970.
    • UA 1040 Postcard, ca. 1920 This postcard was taken sometime in the 1920s or 1930s of Mount Timpanogos. In the foreground is the old Brigham Young University stadium used for track and football until the 1960s when it was destroyed in order to make room of the Richards Building.
    • MSS P 676 Lantern slides of a Timpanogos hike, circa 1920s-1950s Lantern slides of a Timpanogos hike, circa 1920s-1950s collection contains 26 glass lantern slides of a group hike up Mount Timpanogos.  Requires 24 hours advance notice to access collection.
    • UA 48 Timpanogos hike programs, 1922-1940 Collection includes various printed programs, On the Trail to Timpanogos, 1922-23; the Timpanogos Trail, 1924-26; letterhead Timpanogos Hike, 1928; and a souvenir program Timpanogos Hike, 1940.
    • AC 901 .A1a no.4895 The Timpanogos Trail : thirteenth annual hike, July 18 and 19, 1924 A booklet comprised of articles about the Mt. Timpanogos, including an article that provides a brief history of the hike and other articles representing different perspectives of the mountain and hike.
    • 378.2 Sm6834 1955 The annual Mount Timpanogos hike: its origin, background, and development This thesis describes the history of the Timpanogos hike up until 1955.

This Popular Search Topics page offers only samplings of materials included in the University Archives that document the history of the Timpanogos Hike. Be sure to visit Special Collections to discover other material.