Wasatch - Dry Creek
This weeks hike is located in the Wasatch range. The trail head is located in the beautiful town of Alpine, which is about a half-hour south of Salt Lake City.
Dry Creek is one of the main access points to the southeastern slope of the Lone Peak Wilderness.
Before we get started let me warn you that this hike, although not excessively steep, is consistently uphill with little to no breaks in the climbing. If you chose to go all the way to the ridge between Dry Fork and American Fork canyons the elevation gain is 3950 feet in 4 1/4 miles.
So now that you've decided to give this trail a go, Let's get Started!
Shortly after starting up the hill from the parking lot, you will come across the Lone Peak Wilderness boundary sign. (Pictured top-left) The beginning of this trail can be pretty hot depending on the weather as it is a south facing trail that starts in the foothill sage and scrub oak. Don't worry though, it quickly makes it's way into the shade of Alpine forest.
Making your way up the trail you will hear the mis-named dry creek raging down below. Shortly, you will come to an open meadow that looks like a popular camping spot for people who want a quick overnight get away.
After about another 1/4 mile you will see a spur that branches off to the left. If you have time, take this quick spur of a couple hundred feet. It will lead you to a great view of some cascading waterfalls.
Continuining up the main trail, you will cross a couple streams and eventually make your way to where the trail does several big switchbacks. After making your way up the switchbacks you will come into a second meadow where the trail finally levels off for a couple hundred feet.
When you get into this Aspen filled meadow, you come to a trail juncture were you can either take the North Mountain Trail 042 to the West or continue up the Dry Creek trail to the ridge. The North Mountain Trail leads to Lake Hardy, a high elevation alpine lake nestled in a glacier carved cove on the backside of Lone Peak.
The Dry Creek trail continues up to the ridge between American Fork Canyon at an elevation of 9650 feet. It offers incredible views of the backside of Little Cottonwood Canyon and American Fork Canyon.
Getting There:
From Salt Lake City take I-15 south to the Highland/Alpine exit 287. Head east and follow the road into the town of Highland. Take a left at 5300 West which will turn into Main street as you come into the town of Alpine. Turn right on 200 North then left on 200 East. This road turns into Grove Drive. Keep on Grove drive as it make several bends to the right and then left at the small sign for the Rodeo grounds. The road turns to dirt near the rodeo ground. Follow it to the dead end that is the trail head parking. The trail starts in the north-east corner of the lot.