The "Y" Mountain Trail

I've done this hike several times. Definitely don't recommend going in the day with the sun beaming down. It is a steep hike, I recommend night time or early morning the weather is great, nice views and the trail is a lot more maintaned and well kept with benches along the way.

Recommend hiking early in the morning. You pretty much get shade all the way up even with the sun rising. Once you curl around into the canyon the meadows are actually really pretty right now. The foliage around the trail is really overgrown and there is tons of stinging nettle, so I definitely recommend long pants right now.

Went up to the very top today starting at 4. It was pretty hot but bearable. The meadows up the canyon and mountain top are covered in beautiful flowers and also tons of bees! 2 hours up one hour down. Seems like it would be a beautiful winter/snow hike

The views can be pretty. Recommend you go early before it's too hot. No shade. The actual trail isn't much to look at. But it's one of the hikes you do so you can say you did it. I would like to try it at night when the Y is lit

Not a pretty trail. Nothing nice to look at until you get to the top. When you do, you'll probably wonder if the hike was worth it.
This is more of a trail I'll go on when I want to jog/workout. Always super crowded

Hiked it in early April, doable without snowshoes but at least 3 feet of snow. Not one of my favorite hikes.

Hiking to the Y is more of a novelty than anything. Steep, dry, and lacking in natural beauty, I'd still consider it worth doing if you are looking for a workout or simply want to see that enormous white letter painted on a mountain up close. However, the real hike comes once you continue up through the field above the 'Y.' Curious rock formations, shady forests, and marvelous fields of wildflowers await you! The changes in environments throughout the hike are quite interesting, and the views at the top will make you wonder why you ever decided to turn back after reaching the letter.

Be very careful once you hit the meadows and flower fields - the trail becomes very narrow and there are massive patches of stinging nettle throughout. They can be easily avoided if you are cautious, however. Long pants might be worth wearing, despite the heat. Also bring plenty of water, more than you think you'll need.

The hike to the Y is normally very busy, and the trail bakes in the afternoon sun since there is no shade. I recommend taking the trail past the Y and going to the top of Y Mountain. The high point on Y Mountain is actually on the east summit, and not the summit the overlooks Provo. Here's my trip report.

http://www.yourhikeguide.com/y-mountain/

Good for some quick exercise.