Ben Lomond via Inspiration Point

Ben Lomond is probably the most famous and most hiked peak in Northern Utah. The peak was made famous as the original logo for the Paramount movie studio. It is seen prominently from all areas around Ogden. Here is the view thousands see every day from Ogden and I-15 as well as the original Paramount logo. There are four trails to the top. Two in the Ogden Valley, one on the North Ogden Divide, and this one from Inspiration Point located on the ridge to the north of Ben Lomond and Willard Peaks. This is the easiest hiking route but has by far the longest approach since it's a long off road drive to get to the trail head. This road is usually not completely open until mid-July so keep that in mind when making your hiking plans. Start from Inspiration Point, known to the USGS as Willard Mountain, and not to be confused with nearby Willard Peak. You immediately start hiking south from the parking lot and you lose elevation at the start. You can see the small lake in Willard Basin far below, and Willard Peak that dominates the view most of this hike. Willard is actually taller than Ben Lomond and is the county high point for Weber County. It's not as popular and doesn't have an official trail to its top. A fairly easy scramble can be made to the top if you want to bag two peaks. Willard Peak keeps getting closer and closer and you in fact hike right under the peak. As you hike, you might be able to see the ruins of the old cabin for the El Dorado Mine in the cliffs beneath the trail. Soon you will get your first unobstructed view of Ben Lomond. As you near Ben Lomond the trail will start to switch back (this trail is also open to dirt bikes). The west face of this peak is incredibly steep and you get nice views down into Ogden. Soon you will be at the summit where the 360-degree views are gorgeous and a great spot to eat some lunch. Return the same way you came up.