Mountain peaks in Utah are highly sought after. Grandeur Peak sits at the top of Millcreek Canyon and is a great peak to add to your list! We can see Grandeur Peak from our backyard and for the past 5 years I have been daydreaming about getting up there! I can't believe it took me that long to actually do it! There are a couple ways to choose from. You can either hike the west face, which is very steep and not as long of a hike as the Churchfork Trail. However, I think the Churckfork trail is the better of the two. You enjoy more of the canyon and can see Parley's and Neff's Canyon as you hike up to Grandeur Peak.
In all honesty, one of the real reasons I have avoided this hike is because it is not very shaded and during the hot summer months it is difficult to handle. But this summer was a cooler one, so it was meant to be!
Chris and I usually stick to Dog Lake or Big Upper Water trail when we do Millcreek Canyon hikes. Bear and Daisy love the hike and cooling off in the lake at the end. Plus there are always lots of dog friends they meet along the way. There are so many trails in Millcreek Canyon! So if this one seems packed or not your style, check out another trail! We decided since this hike was going to be much hotter and there isn't a water source for the last bit of the hike we would leave them home for this one. There were so many dogs on the trail I felt extremely guilty. But it was super hot for the two of us and I wouldn't have wanted them to have a hard time in the heat. The beginning of the trail is beautiful with waterfalls and streams everywhere it is also very shaded, which was amazing at the end of the hike when we were ready to get back into the trees and cool off.
I can't even describe how beautiful the hike was once you got to the top. Being able to look at two canyons at once is unbelievable. The view of Salt Lake City is breathtaking. You can see the Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island. We hiked on a sunny day and the lake was so gorgeous and blue. It made it all worth it. As long as you are able to push through some steep sections this hike is doable for most people and I would highly recommend it!
What You Want to Know
Take Me There! Head up Millcreek Canyon in Salt Lake City. You will park at the Churchfork/Box Elder picnic area on the side of the road. You will then walk up the road through the picnic sites to the trailhead at the top. This is where the actual hike starts, plan on some extra steps and a good warm-up. Also note that it costs $3.00 to enjoy Millcreek Canyon. Be prepared for the pay station at the bottom. I have paid in car change many times.
How long is the hike? This is a 6.8 mile out and back trail with a 2,299 elevation gain. You will start on the Churchfork Trail, when you get to the first crossroad follow the sign for Grandeur Peak. Do not continue on Churchfork.
What Do I Wear?! I wore my Anhu hiking boots. I knew it was going to be steep and I wanted to make sure I head sturdy shoes to keep my feet from being overworked. I also carried a backpack with plenty of water and a buff to dip in the river. This hike is not very shaded towards the end and it gets hot! I was so glad I had my buff to save my neck from the hot sun.
Can I bring my dog? Yes! Millcreek Canyon allows dogs at all times. However, there are on-leash and off-leash days. Off-leash days are odd days.
Comments