In an effort to assist members to assess their hiking ability for moderate and semi-moderate hikes, the Club has developed a self-assessment course on “PC Hill”. This is the hill that has the letters “PC” on the side of the hill facing Route 224. You can access the “PC Hill” trailhead off of Route 248. There is a dirt road going behind the Park City School District building. This road is on the left if you are traveling from Park City and is directly across the street from Wyatt Erp Way.
The most common Club hike levels are as follows:
Strenuous hike – average pace 2.1 to 2.8 mph
Moderate hike – average pace about 2 mph
Semi-moderate hike – average pace about 1.5 mph
Easy hikes – average pace less than 1.5 mph
The trailhead is well marked and if you follow the well-traveled path taking the right forks on the way up you will be on the Club’s “Know Your Pace” trail.
About half way up you will come to a four way crossing with a metal stake that is green with a white top and there is a gate on your right. Continue straight until you reach the top, (do not go along the fence).
This is a distance about .9 miles (4724 feet) with an elevation gain of 450 feet.
For the moderate hikers, you should be able to make the hike with one stop and if you count just your moving time, your speed is calculated as follows:
25 minutes = 2.16 mph
26 minutes = 2.08 mph
27 minutes = 2.00 mph
If your moving time is over 27 minutes you will probably struggle with the moderate hikes. Keep in mind that this is just a guide and you must be able to keep this pace for an extended period of time of 2 to 3 hours depending on the length of the hike
For the semi-moderate hikers, you should be able to make the hike with no more than two stops and if you calculate just your moving time, your speed is calculated as follows:
35 minutes = 1.54 mph
36 minutes = 1.50 mph
37 minutes = 1.46 mph
38 minutes = 1.42 mph
If your moving time is over 38 minutes you will probably struggle with the semi-moderate hikes. Keep in mind that this is just a guide and you must be able to keep this pace for an extended period of time of 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the length of the hike.
PCMSC urges all members to do this self-assessment, so you will have a better idea of what to expect on a Club hike, but you still need to be sure you have the stamina to go the distance and time that is listed in the hike description.
Be sure to go back the same way as you hiked up as there is a sign at the top with an arrow pointing to a trail, which would take you down the other side of the hill.