One of my favorite activities year-round in Utah is hiking. Fortunately, there are a plethora of options not far from Salt Lake City. If you are looking for where to begin, this post will cover the 7 Salt Lake City hiking trails you can't miss. I will order these by difficulty (in my opinion). Therefore if you are new to hiking, definitely check out these hiking tips for beginners and start at the top and work your way down. Always be prepared with water, snacks, and electrolytes and assess your abilities before embarking on a hike that could be too strenuous. If you were too ambitious, there is no shame in turning around before getting to the end.
For a list of easy hiking trails near Salt Lake City, check out this post here. And if you decide you want to explore but not hike, check out this list of day trips from Salt Lake City.
Additionally, each of these hikes is heavily-trafficked meaning that you will very likely see [a lot of] other people on the trail. You can use these tips for how to practice social distancing while hiking to make your outdoor experience even more enjoyable.
Last but not least, it's incredibly important to practice Leave No Trace (LNT) principles when hiking in Salt Lake City and elsewhere. Not sure exactly what that means? Check out this post by REI. Without the full details, here are the 7 LNT Principles:
Now without further ado, let's dive into the Salt Lake City hiking trails that absolutely should be on your bucket list.
Number of Miles: 1.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 459 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest - 5 is hardest): 1
Permit Required: No
Fees (if applicable): Yes, $8 parking fee
Dogs Allowed: No
Best Time of Year to Hike: Summer, Fall
This easy Salt Lake City hiking trail has an impressive effort to views ratio. It's a particularly popular hike during the July wildflower season as the trail takes you directly by a massive wildflower meadow. The first 2/3 of the hike is relatively flat and paved and the last 1/3 is steeper and on rocks that can be slippery. Make sure to wear good shoes with grip, like these.
The lake at the end is stunning and moose frequent both the trail head and the lake. As a side note, if you visit during wildflower season, be careful not to stand in or walk on the wildflowers. Instead use camera angles to get shots that look like you're in the meadow.
Number of Miles: 4.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1243 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest - 5 is hardest): 2
Permit Required: No
Fees (if applicable): No
Dogs Allowed: No
Best Time of Year to Hike: Spring, Summer, Fall
To see an impressive number of lakes in a relatively short distance, check out this mountain lake trail - a favorite Salt Lake City hiking trail. The trail to Lake Catherine is accessed from the Brighton Ski Resort parking lot. Not surprisingly due to its elevation at the trail head, there is a potential for snow even long after summer temperatures have hit the valley. The trail is 4.4 miles round trip but if you are feeling less ambitious, you can stop after Lake Mary for a 2.6 mile hike. Stopping at Lake Mary is often a great option if you are visiting from out of town, are new to hiking, or you have kids.
Number of Miles: 4.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1433 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest - 5 is hardest): 3
Permit Required: No
Fees (if applicable): No
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Best Time of Year to Hike: Spring, Summer, Fall
Silver Lake in American Fork Canyon is technically not in Salt Lake City but it is close enough to count and another stunning hike. One perk of American Fork Canyon is that it does allow dogs. This is only one of two hikes on this list where you can bring your pup. You walk through the river two/three times so they can get a drink.
Note: If you are looking for other good hikes that allow dogs, check out the hike to Murdock Peak located in Millcreek Canyon.
Seasonally, there are beautiful wild flowers throughout the hike. As a side note, if you visit during wildflower season, be careful not to stand in or walk on the wildflowers. Instead use camera angles to get shots that look like you're in the meadow. The last stretch of road before the trail head, it suggests a 4WD vehicle, but you can likely access the trail head without one depending on current road conditions.
Number of Miles: 4.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1453 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest - 5 is hardest): 3
Permit Required: No
Fees (if applicable): No
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Best Time of Year to Hike: Spring, Summer, Fall
Bell's Canyon Trail to Lower Falls is of interchangeable difficulty with Silver Lake. However, you could take a shorter option with a quick hike to the Bell's Canyon Reservoir and turn around.
The first portion of this hike to the reservoir is exposed. Once you are past the reservoir the trail gets more interesting although it is not very difficult until the last 0.5-1 mile before the falls where it gets rather steep. My favorite time of year to do this trail is during the winter as I actually find the steepness less harsh. However if you opt for this trail in the winter, spikes are a MUST.
Number of Miles: 6.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 2706 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest - 5 is hardest): 3-4
Permit Required: No
Fees (if applicable): No
Dogs Allowed: No
Best Time of Year to Hike: Spring, Summer, Fall
Lake Blanche is a classic Salt Lake City hiking trail. Located in Big Cottonwood Canyon, you will enjoy the drive to get to the trail head as well. This trail can be demanding but its location and proximity to the Salt Lake Valley can't be beat. Because of its accessibility, its a popular choice on weekends and holidays. Start early and go on a weekday in order to avoid the crowds.
Once you get started, you will quickly see why this is a favorite. The canyon views are beautiful, there is a potential to see wildlife, you hike through beautiful Aspen groves, and the lake is very impressive. Be prepared with lots of water, snacks, insect repellent, and flashlights if you get a late start.
Number of Miles: 12.8 miles - 15.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 4425 ft - 5377 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest - 5 is hardest): 5
Permit Required: No
Fees (if applicable): Yes, $6 (covered by America the Beautiful Annual Pass)
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Best Time of Year to Hike: Summer, Fall
Mount Timpanogos is one of Utah's most recognizable mountains, and another popular mountain hiking destination. At 11,749 feet, it is the second-highest summit of the Wasatch Mountains. This hike technically isn't in Salt Lake as it begins in American Fork Canyon, however it's not far.
There are two routes that take you to the Timp peak. You can summit either via the Aspen Grove Trail, or via the Timpooneke Trail. The Aspen Grove route is considered to be the more difficult route but I definitely prefer it. Along the way to the peak you pass Emerald Lake if you are summiting via Aspen Grove. This would also be a good spot to turn around if you felt like the trail was more strenuous than you anticipated.
While most people do this in a single day hike, you can camp and summit in the morning for sunrise (or anytime during the day). Take a significant amount of water on this hike - I brought 3 L and started early (before 6AM) and ran out. Due to wind and the elevation at the peak, it can be quite chilly at the top, even in the middle of the summer. Be prepared with extra clothing layers. If you decide to do this trail with snow which can linger into the late summer, spikes are definitely recommended.
Number of Miles: 9.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 3713 ft
Difficulty (1 is easiest - 5 is hardest): 5
Permit Required: No
Fees (if applicable): No
Dogs Allowed: No
Best Time of Year to Hike: Summer, Fall
One of my personal favorite Salt Lake City hiking trails is Pfeifferhorn via Red Pine Lake trail. This trail is NOT easy and also not for those afraid of heights. Do not attempt to summit Pfeifferhorn if you are unsteady, if there is bad weather, or poor trail conditions. Just going to Red Pine Lake itself is rated as difficult. However, the lake is beautiful and worth the trip. If you turned around at this point this would be a less difficult option that deciding to summit Mount Timpanogos.
The majority of the hike is on a well-maintained and easy to follow trail. Note: it said easy to follow, not "easy to do". The portion of trail between Lower Red Pine Lake and the Alpine Ridge becomes more difficult to follow, but the direction of travel is obvious and should keep you near the correct path. Above Upper Red Pine lake follow the faint steep ridge that leads to the Alpine Ridge. There is a trail, but it is faint and hard to follow. I remember being right in front of the trail and being shocked that I was actually going to be going straight up.
The trail involves scree, scrambling, bouldering and is not for the faint of heart. However if you are up for a challenge it is one I would certainly recommend.
Have you hiked near Salt Lake City? What was your favorite trail? Let me know in the comments.
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The post Salt Lake City Hiking: 7 Trails you Can't Miss appeared first on Our Beautahful World.