Kyhv Peak is the dramatic 7,876-foot summit that towers over the mouth of Rock Canyon, rising steeply behind Brigham Young University and the city of Provo on the western front of Utah's Wasatch Range. Long one of the most recognizable peaks on the Provo skyline, it was officially renamed Kyhv Peak in 2022 — "kyhv" is a word from the language of the Timpanogos people — when the U.S. Department of the Interior removed the derogatory former name from federal use across the country. It remains a favorite Wasatch Front objective for hikers who want a big-view summit within minutes of town.

Reaching the top is a serious workout. From the Rock Canyon Trailhead at the mouth of the canyon, the route climbs roughly 3,000 feet in about 3.5 miles — a relentlessly steep grind that rewards the effort with a sweeping panorama of Utah Lake, the Provo valley, and the high Wasatch peaks stretching north and south. The lower stretch follows the popular Rock Canyon trail, a scenic gorge beloved by rock climbers and casual walkers alike, with a creek running near the main trail split before the route breaks off and begins its punishing ascent toward the ridge and summit.

The trail is dog-friendly and open year-round, but the character of the hike changes hard with the seasons. Late spring through fall is prime time; the upper mountain holds snow well into spring, and the steep, exposed slopes can be genuinely hazardous when snow-covered or icy. This is a strenuous, high-gain climb with real exposure up high, and afternoon thunderstorms are common on the Wasatch Front in summer, so an early start and a close eye on the weather are worth the effort. There is little shade and no water once you leave the canyon, which makes heat and hydration the two things most likely to turn people around.

Rock Canyon itself is worth knowing about even if you never tag the summit: the lower canyon is one of Utah County's premier sport-climbing areas and an easy, family-friendly walk, so the trailhead serves everyone from after-work strollers to peak-baggers. The setting is quintessential Wasatch — limestone and quartzite walls, scrub oak and maple that blaze red and gold in autumn, and mule deer on the slopes at dawn and dusk.

Come prepared for a demanding day out: carry plenty of water, sun protection for the exposed climb, sturdy shoes with good grip for the loose, steep tread, and layers for the cooler, breezier summit. Start early to beat both the heat and the storms, let someone know your plan, and give the mountain the respect its 3,000-foot climb deserves. The payoff — a hard-won summit looking straight down on Provo and out across Utah Lake — is one of the best in the range for the mileage.