Block U, Hillside letter on Mount Van Cott, Salt Lake City, United States
The Block U is a large concrete letter on Mount Van Cott at an elevation of about 5,200 feet and can be seen from throughout Salt Lake Valley. The structure stands about 100 feet tall and features modern LED lighting that illuminates the white letter against the hillside.
Students originally painted their graduation year on Mount Van Cott until 1907, when university administration built a permanent concrete letter on the hillside. This shift from temporary paint to a lasting structure marked the transition toward creating a formal symbol for the institution.
The Block U lights up in different patterns based on University of Utah athletic team results, glowing steadily for losses and flashing for victories. Visitors throughout the valley can watch these light changes and follow along with the team's performance from afar.
A steep hiking trail of roughly a quarter-mile leads to the Block U from the trailhead at the end of Tomahawk Drive. The climb is demanding and brings you to excellent views of the city, though loose gravel and rocks can make footing tricky.
The monument underwent a major upgrade in 2006 with 240 LED lights now controlled wirelessly from the Merrill Engineering building across campus. This wireless system allows staff to change lighting patterns instantly for celebrations or special occasions.
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