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Westside alternative access to the Ensign Peak overlook by way of gentle switchbacking trail with minimal crowds.


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Map Key

2.7

Miles

4.4

KM

90%

Runnable

5,347' 1,630 m

High

4,458' 1,359 m

Low

889' 271 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (4°)

19%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Spring · Views

Need to Know

No facilities or trash. PACK IT OUT.

Runner Notes

Some rocks, but mostly runnable and even some nice smooth sections. Can be MUDDY after it rains - avoid to prevent trail damage!

Description

The trail starts about 0.5 miles north of the state capitol on State Road 186. There's a small gravel parking lot at the trailhead sign on the east side of road. This first section of the trail is a switchbacking, gentle incline through grasses and past a small spring/creek.

After about a mile, take a left at the T junction and head west/north along a mellow uphill singletrack through lots of grassy growth. (To the right is a neighborhood trail that leads east to a residential street.) Stay left when you see the steep uphill right fork directly toward some houses.

Fork right at the rustic sign that simply says "Hell Canyon" to start a lovely ascent up Hell Canyon to the east above the mining operation below on the highway.

Cross the gravel road at the top of Hell Canyon to climb the west Ensign Peak switchbacks the rest of the way. On these switchbacks, there's pretty much no traffic until you hit the junction with the regular Ensign Peak Trail which comes up from the east side.

(The gravel road to the left will allow access to the BST: City Creek to North Salt Lake section.)

Flora & Fauna

Lots of grass, shrubbery, and flowers! Sometimes bees.

Contacts

Shared By:

Andrea Feucht

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 7 votes

#11232

Overall
  4.0 from 7 votes
5 Star
29%
4 Star
57%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
14%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#383

in Utah

#11,232

Overall
18 Views Last Month
1,906 Since Jun 27, 2019
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

13%
50%
38%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

View of the city on the way back
Mar 15, 2020 near Salt La…, UT
Hell Canyon
Mar 15, 2020 near Salt La…, UT

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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