“High On a Mountain Top”: Celebrating 25 Years of the Sunrise Hike to Stewart Falls

From an inauspicious experience on a soggy morning in 2001, a beloved 25-year-long tradition was born.

It started with an idea. Joseph “Joe” Bentley, a member of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society (“JRCLS”) International Board, suggested that leaders attending the 2001 JRCLS Leadership Conference hike to Stewart Falls, a picturesque waterfall on the eastern slope of Mount Timpanogos in the Wasatch Mountains. The Leadership Conference was to be held again in early autumn at Aspen Grove, a family camp facility owned by Brigham Young University in Provo Canyon, Utah, and the trailhead was a few minutes’ walk from the camp area. 

Joe believed a brisk morning hike before sunrise would be a good team-building experience for the Society’s leaders before beginning formal leadership meetings, and William “Bill” Atkin, who was serving as the JRCLS International Chair at the time, agreed. Bill added the hike to the leadership training agenda for the 2001 conference and planned on Joe leading the hikers to the falls during the inaugural event.

When Joe suffered an injury which prevented him from hiking, Bill was required to lead the way for that first pre-dawn adventure. Speaking about this excursion, Bill recalls that “only a handful of hearty souls” were willing to make the trek, meeting before 6:00 a.m. on that rainy morning. In addition to the dark and wet conditions, the situation was further complicated by the fact that Bill did not actually know the location of the trailhead. Thus the small group of hikers wound their way through the Aspen Grove campgrounds, slipping and sliding until they eventually located the path. 

However, shortly after the group found the trail, they encountered two hikers coming down the mountainside who informed them there was a long way to go before reaching Stewart Falls. Bill recalls that, “given that distance, . . . plus the rain and the cold, we took a vote on whether to proceed or go back.” The rain-soaked group determined it would be impossible to make it to their intended destination and return in time to start the leadership meetings as scheduled. Accordingly, they decided to abandon their efforts, noting that a hike “toward” Stewart Falls was sufficient for that inaugural venture. 

Fortunately, the following year, the  hikers successfully reached the falls. Bill, a now-healthy Joe, and around ten other JRCLS leaders enjoyed the magnificent views. As the sun rose over the eastern mountains, the hikers spontaneously sang the hymn, “The Day Dawn Is Breaking.” Singing together atop the mountains became a cherished part of the sunrise hike experience, as did the presentation of a commemorative t-shirt, the first of which proudly proclaimed, “I hiked to Stewart Falls with Bill & Joe.” 

Hundreds of JRCLS leaders have experienced this annual tradition over the past 25 years, which has become a highlight of the Leadership Conference. Beyond the fellowship of hiking in the dark and engaging in heartfelt conversations with the hiker ahead or behind, the hike also provides a poignant reminder of God’s works and the role that we, as lawyers and law students of faith, can play by joining together in good causes. 

The Sunrise Hike to Stewart Falls, like many experiences in the JRCLS, affirms that the struggle, the setbacks, and the time spent to make the climb–both in the dark and in the sunlight–are well worth the effort because it is high on the mountain top where we can truly see God’s glory on display.

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Why is the Sunrise Hike to Stewart Falls so memorable? A handful of JRCLS leaders answer this question below.  

“I remember the great fellowship I felt as we sang hymns and watched the sun rise.  Who wouldn’t want to experience that over and over again?” ~ Doug Bush

“The Stewart Falls hike represents so much of what I love about the Law Society. Every year I make new friends and renew old friendships along the trail—friends from all over the world who inspire me with their lives of goodness and service. The breathtaking view of the mountains and valley helps me feel more connected to heaven, and the unity I feel with fellow JRCLS leaders as we sing at the falls is truly special and something I look forward to every time I get to attend the Leadership Conference.”  ~ Josh Randall

“The Stewart Falls hike has provided the ideal setting to make and strengthen friendships with other members of the Law Society. The beautiful surroundings, in the divinely orchestrated season of changing fall colors, combined with the singing of hymns of Zion together, remind us of our shared commitment to building the cause of Zion with our amazing fellow saints. These hikes have provided a singular opportunity to step out of the transactional, day-to-day grind, and into the weightier gifts of personal connection and ministry. I am so grateful for inspired leaders who have established and maintained this treasured tradition.” ~ Jonathan J. Toronto

“We’ve done almost all of those early morning hikes.  While they are hard to do (we often drove from Immigration canyon all the way to Aspen Grove early in the morning), each one was a deeply spiritual experience to sing the songs of Zion as the sun rose with people that you have known to grow and love.  It became a recurring experience that combined our legal careers, the Church and our testimonies, our dear friends, and a spiritual experience at the Falls.  If you have not yet, I would encourage anyone to make the effort and go. 

“I remember the first time Joshua Randall and Jonathan Toronto came and hiked with us.  Now look at them and how their lives have changed through the law society!” ~ Tom Isaacson 

“Initially I wondered what could be so great about rising before dawn, often in bitter weather, and getting dusty and sweaty at an elevation that is not comfortable for this East Coast girl. But there is something absolutely magical about watching the sunrise while singing the hymns of the restoration all together on the mountain. I made new friends and cemented old friendships during those hikes. One year we brought our son from Maryland to hike with us. It is a memory he still cherishes. We love the Stewart Falls hike!" ~ Ginny Isaacson

“The sheer beauty of Stewart Falls itself is a classic Wasatch Mountain hike and a worthy destination for any lover of the outdoors. Full stop. Add in the peak fall colors and the chance to experience it as the sun pierces the horizon and lights up the panorama—all while singing praises to the Creator of such a magnificent scene—and you have the makings of a core, spiritual experience!  The couple of hours on the trail also offer a unique and rewarding opportunity to rub shoulders with fellow JRCLS leaders and get to know your leadership colleagues on a deeper/personal level, fulfilling the “society” component of the JRCLS and offering a bonding experience that transcends and enhances the educational and training components that Leadership Conference offers.” ~ David Garner

“The hike keeps drawing me back for two reasons: (1) watching the sunrise while singing hymns in one of the most beautiful places in the world is a spiritual highlight of my year; and (2) I’ve made more meaningful JRCLS friends on the path to and from the falls than in any other meeting or setting.  It helps that the hike isn’t brutal as long as you have some light, good footwear and warm clothing.”  ~ Scott Brown 

​“The sunrise hike represents to me so much of the best of the Law Society. The hike brings together attorneys and law students from around the world and sets them in a common endeavor where we meet amazing new people, learn their wonderful stories, appreciate the beautiful work Heavenly Father created for us, and, ultimately, join our voices and spirits in song in praise of our Lord. Furthermore, starting at 5:00 a.m., like so much of our Law Society activities, is never convenient, but, very much like involvement in the Law Society, making the sacrifice of a couple hours is incredibly rewarding personally, professionally, and spiritually.  I will forever treasure the experiences and friendships I’ve made on the sunrise hike.”  ~ Scott Paul 

​“The Stewart Falls hike is a highlight of Leadership Conference. I love chatting and hiking as we climb through the beautiful autumn colors. I treasure new friendships made and our exuberant singing as the sun rises in an experience to remember.” ~ Lorie Hobbs ~

​“Walking up to Stewart Falls before dawn alongside lawyers from around the world makes me feel that, beyond our countries, cultures, and legal systems, we are all disciples united on the same path, each carrying our own difficulties, responsibilities, and challenges. Arriving together at the falls just as the sun begins to rise and singing “The Morning Breaks”, while literally watching the darkness give way to light, is a deeply spiritual moment for me. It reminds us that even when the journey is difficult and the path is uphill, light will always come, renewing our faith, hope, and strength to keep moving forward.”  ~ David Torres

"Over the past 25 years, I have grown to love the annual JRCLS hike to Stewart Falls.  Hiking in darkness through a colorful setting at a “nestling” season of the year, enjoying the company of dear friends, singing hymns of joy and praise, and feeling the Spirit as the rising sun witnesses of the majesty of the Father and the Son, is something I cherish deeply." ~ Brent Belnap

Special thanks to Brent Belnap for capturing hike memories with his photography throughout the years. To view hike photo albums, click here: Sunrise Hike Photos Through the Years.