This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Jack Edwards was just a toddler when he died of leukemia in 1995. His parents scattered his ashes from a peak above Salt Lake City, where they later placed a memorial. Two mailboxes mark the site, with a notebook that begins with a letter from Jack's mother: "Please take a moment to say hello to Jackie Jack and write a little (or long) note." The mailboxes now contain several journals filled with personal and poignant entries by visitors from the past 13 years. The hike is beautiful this time of year, when the Wasatch foothills are lighting up with wildflowers.
Start at the Bonneville Shoreline trailhead on Lakeline Drive, southeast of the "H" Rock. Take the Shoreline Trail west about 0.3 mile, just past a brown post, to a footpath that goes north into an oak grove and makes a short, steep climb to the top of the H Rock. There are several trails to the ridge above; the easiest continues northeast 500 feet to a hard right turn. Go another 500 feet to the ridge trail. Go left along the ridge to the communication tower. There, the trail goes downhill briefly and then up, up, up northeast. Jack's Mountain peaks 1.6 miles from the trailhead. The mailboxes are just north of the summit. Do not disturb the memorial except to read and write in the notebooks.
Directions » In Salt Lake City, go east on 2100 South, which becomes Hyland Hills Road as it winds uphill above Foothill and Wasatch drives. At the very top, turn left on Lakeline and drive north 0.3 mile to the cul-de-sac. The trailhead is a gate to the east.
Erin Alberty
Destination » Jack's Mountain mailboxes
Round trip miles » 3.2 miles
Hiking time » 2 hours, plus time to read the journals
Elevation gain » 1,242 feet
Difficulty » Moderate
Dogs allowed » Yes, leashed
Trailhead restrooms » No
Mountain biking » N/A