Wasatch - Grandeur Peak
This weeks hike is located in Mill Creek Canyon which is a popular canyon with easy access from Salt Lake City.
Trail Overview:
Trail Length: 3 miles
Elevation Gain: 2600 Feet
Hiking Time: 2.5 hours
Notes on the trail:
The trail head parking at the top of Church Fork is accessible from late spring through late fall. You can also park at the bottom of Church Fork on the side of the Mill Creek Canyon road.
Take the trail head out of the east side of the parking lot. Shortly after crossing a small stream the trail intersects with the pipeline trail. When you get to the intersection you will see that the trail continues at a north-western angle directly across the pipeline trail.
The trail continues to climb directly up the drainage for about a 1/2 mile before branching off from the stream. From here the trail does several large switchbacks offering increasingly dramatic views of the southern side of Mill Creek and the peaks of Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Near the 2 mile mark you will come across a popular stopping place for a slightly shorter hike. This easily identifiable lookout offers views into Parley's canyon and the Great Salt Lake.
From here the trail heads southwest climbing more switchbacks up to the top of Grandeur Peak at an elevation of 8300 feet. There are incredible views of the Salt Lake Valley, The Great Salt Lake, and Mount Olympus.
Getting There:
Take the 3900 South exit off I-215. Head north on Wasatch Boulevard, then turn east onto 3800 south. Take 3800 south directly into Mill Creek Canyon. Church Fork is located 2.1 miles from the booth at the mouth of the canyon. If the Church Fork gate is open you can take the narrow road to the top of the picnic ground where there is a small trail head parking lot.