This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2005, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
East of Salt Lake City
Mountain Dell Golf Course Area
Location: Off Parley's Canyon, about 10 miles east of Salt Lake City. Exit 134 on I-80 East.
Length: variable, no designated trails.
Facilities: Restrooms available.
Dogs: No dogs allowed due to SLC Watershed Restrictions.
Notes: Snowshoers are asked to stay off groomed tracks at the golf course for cross country skiing and to use the area around the groomed trails.
Little Mountain
Location: Trailhead 8 miles from mouth of Emigration Canyon. From Parleys Canyon (I-80), take exit 134 to Mt. Dell drive 3 miles north to East Canyon/Emigration Canyon and head to Little Mountain Pass.
Length: 2 miles one way
Facilities: Restroom
Cost: Free
Dogs: No dogs allowed due to SLC Watershed Restrictions.
Mormon Pioneer Trail
Location: Take exit 134 from I-80 Eastbound, drive 5 miles north to East Canyon until you come to the winter gate. Trailhead is at the gate.
Length: Variable
Facilities: none
Cost: none
Dogs: No dogs allowed due to SLC Watershed Restrictions
Notes: This is winter habitat for moose so be cautious. Never approach a wild animal.
Mirror Lake Highway
Location: Mirror Lake Highway (State Road 150) near Kamas, Utah. Access via I-80 and US Hwy 40.
Facilities: Food available in Kamas. Restrooms at all major trailheads.
Dogs: Allowed on trails daily with the exception of Beaver Creek ski trail. See below for details. Owners are asked to clean up after their pets.
Cost: Recreation Fee Demo Pass, $3/day, $6/week or $25 annual pass.
Contact Info: USFS Kamas Ranger District (435) 783-4338.
Beaver Creek
Location: Access to trailheads at several points along State Road 150.
Length: Up to 5 miles one way.
Dogs: Allowed on trail on odd-numbered days,
Notes: Trail provides access to many snowshoeing opportunities. Trail is groomed for cross country skiing. Please stay on the shoulder to keep the grooming in good order. Popular with beginners and crowded on weekends.
Pine Valley
Location: 10.7 miles from Kamas.
Length: 3 miles one way.
Notes: Un-maintained trail, good for beginners. Pine Valley east of the Provo River is private property. Please stay on public lands.
Park City
Location: 35 miles east of Salt Lake City. Take Kimball Junction exit from I-80.
Facilities: Snowshoe rentals available at White Pine Touring Center. Look for signs to center after exiting the interstate. (435) 649-6249
Notes: Many non-designated trails exist in the Park City area such as Red Pine, Daly/Empire Canyon and Iron Mountain (access via mouth of Thaynes Canyon). Free maps of the area are available at White Pine Touring Center in Park City or go to http://www.mountaintrails.org.
Marked Snowshoe Trails
Soldier Hollow
Location: Midway, 55 miles from Salt Lake
Length:26K trails
Cost: $5/day; $3 youth
Contact: (435) 654-2002
Dogs: No dogs allowed
Solitude Nordic Center
Location: 14.2 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon (SR 190) in the Brighton Loop.
Length: 2-3 miles of marked trail.
Facilities: Restrooms, ski shop. Rentals.
Cost: $10/full day $7/half day.
Contact Info: (801) 536-5774.
Dogs: No dogs allowed due to SLC Watershed Restrictions.
Sundance Nordic Center
Location: Provo Canyon (US Rt 189) , 51 miles from Salt Lake City.
Length: 6 miles of marked trail.
Facilities: Restrooms, rentals, and food.
Cost: $9/day $6/half day.
Contact Info: (801) 223-4170.
Dogs: No dogs allowed.
Wasatch Mountain State Park
Location: Midway, Utah one mile north of Homestead Resort (50 miles
from SLC).
Length: 2.6 miles round trip.
Facilities: Restrooms and rentals.
Cost: $4/adult, $2/child (under 12)
Contact Info: (435) 654-1791
Dogs: No dogs allowed.
Mill Creek Canyon
Location: Access via 3800 South and Wasatch Blvd.
Facilities: Restrooms available at trailheads and picnic areas in the canyon.
Dogs: Allowed every day with dogs off leash on odd numbered days in the canyon. On leash at trailheads, in cabin and parking areas. Owners must clean up after their pets.
Cost: $2.25/car per day; $25.00/car for annual pass.
Contact Info: USFS Salt Lake Ranger District/Public Lands Information Center (801) 466-6411.
Ski Trail at Winter Gate
Location: Trail begins 4.5 miles from mouth of canyon.
Length: 4.5 miles of track groomed for cross country skiing.
Notes: Snowshoers are asked to stay off the groomed ski tracks for cross country skiing. Heavily used area.
Pipeline Trail
Location: Trailheads at Rattlesnake Gulch (1.5 miles from mouth of canyon), Church Fork (4.5 miles) and Elbow Fork (6.2 miles).
Length: Up to 5.5 miles one way.
Notes: Trail is flat and south facing may lack snow at times during the winter. Great for beginners. Dogs allowed; off-leash on odd calendar days. Owners must clean up after pets.
Mt. Aire
Location: Trailhead is located at Elbow Fork, 6.2 miles up the canyon. Access from the Pipeline Trail or walk up the ski trail to the trailhead (on left).
Length: 1.8 miles one way
Notes: Intermediate to advanced. Trail is steep and follows the ridge line until you reach the peak.
Mill Creek Overlook Trail
Location: South Box Elder Picnic area 3.4 miles up canyon. Connects with many trails in Big Cottonwood and Mill Creek canyons.
Length: 1.75 miles one way
Notes: Views of Big Cottonwood and Mill Creek areas.
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Location: Access via 7000 South and Wasatch Blvd.
Facilities: Food available at Solitude and Brighton ski resorts; restrooms located at several trailheads.
Dogs: No dogs allowed due to SLC Watershed Restrictions.
Cost: Free unless noted.
Contact Info: USFS Salt Lake Ranger District/Public Lands Information Center (801) 466-6411.
Reynolds Flat/Jordan Pines area
Location: 8.8 miles up the canyon.
Length: Variable, no designated trails.
Notes: Flat area, good choice for beginners. Area is not groomed. Parking available at Cardiff Fork or Spruces Campgrounds.
Mill D North to Dog or Desolation Lakes
Location: Trailhead is 8.8 miles up canyon across from Cardiff Road.
Length: 2 miles to Dog Lake 3.5 to Desolation Lake.
Notes: Trail forks at 1.5 miles.
Beartrap Fork
Location: Trailhead is 11 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon on north side of road.
Length: 1.75 miles to upper bowl.
Notes: Parking is limited. Can loop to/from Willow Lake.
Willow Heights:
Location: Trailhead is 12.1 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon on north side of road.
Length: .75 miles to lake
Notes: Parking on road shoulder outside white line
Little Cottonwood Canyon
Location: Access via 9000 South and Wasatch Blvd.
Facilities: Food available at Snowbird and Alta ski resorts, restrooms located at various trailheads
Dogs: No dogs allowed due to SLC Watershed Restrictions.
Cost: Free unless noted.
Contact Info: USFS Salt Lake Ranger District/Public Lands Information Center (801) 466-6411.
Little Cottonwood Canyon Trail
Location: Trailhead at mouth of canyon. Shared with Temple Quarry Trail.
Notes: Climbs gradually parallel to road. May lack snow at times during the winter.
White Pine Area
Location: 5.3 miles from mouth of canyon. Parking lot located on south side of road. Area suggested does not include the trail.
Length: A 10-acre open area located at the beginning of the trail (just across the bridge) is great for beginners.
American Fork Canyon
Location: 25 miles south of Salt Lake City. Access via 1-15 to State Road 92. Fee booth at mouth of canyon.
Facilities: None
Dogs: Allowed, must be leashed at all times.
Cost: Recreation Fee $3/3 days or $25 annual pass.
Contact Info: US Forest Service Pleasant Grove Ranger District (801) 785-3563.
Little Mill Campground
Location: 1mile from Timpanogos Cave Nat l Monument on State Road 92.
Length: 1.5 miles one way, not maintained.
Notes: Great for beginners. Follows American Fork River on campground road. No restroom facilities.
Silver Lake Flats
Location: Begins at Tibble Fork and travels north to Silver Lake Reservoir.
Length: 3.0 miles
Notes: Upper Silver Lake enters wilderness area
Know before you go!!
Many popular snowshoeing areas are near or in avalanche terrain. YOUR SAFETY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. Avalanche danger is present along and in all areas and trails described in this brochure. Be sure that you have adequate route finding skills before entering these areas. You can gain these skills by enrolling in an avalanche safety course.
Utah Avalanche Forecast Center provides daily updates: 801-364-1581 or http://www.avalanche.org
Snowshoe with a Naturalist
Beginning in January join a Naturalist for a free snowshoe tour. Track animals in the snow, learn about history and have fun! For details call 801-466-6411. Sponsored by Tubbs Snowshoes and REI.