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Y Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 802 Google reviews · Running trail in Provo, Utah · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- 1 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Y Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Y-shaped landmark on a mountain reached at the end of a steep trail of an hour or so.
What runners say about Y Trailhead
“Trail is well maintained with several benches and great viewpoints along the way.”
“Trail is well maintained with several benches and great viewpoints along the way.”
“*Definitely* go in the morning, or in the evening, or on a cooler day: there's very little shade, and it's so hot.”
So good. *Definitely* go in the morning, or in the evening, or on a cooler day: there's very little shade, and it's so hot. Trail is mostly dirt and some rocks and is pretty steep. I saw ages young adult and up. It took me an hour to get to the top in 100° and about 30 minutes to get down. It's about a mile up.
Absolutely loved the hike. We took an umbrella that was the best idea ever. It made the very little shade experience much better. Bring at least 16 oz. Of water per person, maybe more. If you have knee, low back or ankle issues I would wait.
A fairly steep but relatively short hike. Trail is well maintained with several benches and great viewpoints along the way. I'm currently not in great shape and it took me 41 minutes this evening to hike from the entry gate to the Lower Y. I've done this hike at sunset and in the morning and preferred the sunset views!
1 mile of climbing with average 10% inclination. 13 turns to get to the top. All have good difficulty, but keep in mind number 11. That will test your desire to get to the top. But it is worthy. Beautiful views. Moderate difficulty if you are in average physical shape
Trail conditions & character
“Once you get past the grueling zig zags to the top of the of the Painted Y, there is a fabulous view and benches to rest and enjoy it.”
“It is steep at times for the unconditional but for the normal hiker, it's a breeze.”
“Decent bathrooms at the trailhead, the main parking lot fills up quickly, so expect to park a bit further down.”
“Decent bathrooms at the trailhead, the main parking lot fills up quickly, so expect to park a bit further down.”
“*Definitely* go in the morning, or in the evening, or on a cooler day: there's very little shade, and it's so hot.”
“If you go to the top of the mountain it's much less crowded and you get to go behind the mountain where it's quiet and peaceful and full of plants!”
Plan your run at Y Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- Distance1 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- Websiteytrail.byu.edu
- Phone+1 801-422-2222
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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