North Face Salt Lake City UT

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Utah
Location: Zion National Park
Length: One-Way: 4 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 6230 feet
Maximum Elevation: 6930 feet
Elevation Change: 700 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Light

Description: The Connector Trail is a moderately difficult trail connecting the Hop Valley Trail to the Wildcat Canyon Trail. It heads for 4 miles one way through the Lava Fields south of Kolob Terrace Road. The beginning of this trail heads through exposed and rocky terrain then enters a mixed forest as it climbs into Pine Valley. There is no camping permitted along this route but permits are needed if camping in Wildcat Canyon or Hop Valley. This area is often snow-covered in early spring and winter and summer and fall are the best seasons in which to use this trail. The Connector Trail begins from the Hop Valley Trailhead along Kolob Terrace Road just north of Spendlove Knoll. The elevation of the trailhead is 6,230 feet and the trail ascends slowly east through exposed terrain. Within the first mile the trail reaches 6,500 feet then begins to descend to Pine Spring. The trail enters the forest above Pine Spring. After crossing a small drainage flowing south to Left Fork North Creek, the Connector Trail climbs out of the drainage. It rounds a ridge extending from Pine Valley Peak then ascends the ridge. This is the steepest section of the trail, gaining 250 feet in 0.25 miles. Once on the ridge the trail levels out for about a mile and passes the northeastern slopes of Pine Valley Peak, elevation 7,428 feet, before descending into Pine Valley. The trail crosses Little Creek several times before reaching Wildcat Canyon Trail. The elevation of this junction is 6,930 feet. To reach Northgate Peaks Trail turn right at this junction. To reach the parking area for Wildcat Canyon Trail on Kolob Terrace Road turn left at this junction.

Activities: Hiking, Snowshoeing

Info:
State: Utah
Location: Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Length: One-Way: 3 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 6200 feet
Maximum Elevation: 8400 feet
Elevation Change: 2280 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: More Difficult
Usage: Light

Description: The Broads Fork Trail leads to an alpine cirque area with extensive rock faces and rugged terrain that is ripped by huge avalanches each winter. The trail begins from the west end of Mill B South Fork Picnic Area and climbs steeply to an overlook. The Salt Lake Twin Peaks and Dromedary Peak surround the cirque at the top of the Broads Fork Trail. The Broads Fork Trail begins by heading west up the heavily-timbered slope. After Hiking for 0.25 miles, the trail turns left and enters the Twin Peaks Wilderness area. The trail continues past a large rock on the the right (west), climbs over a small ridge and enters the Broads Fork drainage. The trail levels off as it enters the drainage and meanders southwest toward the stream. Before reaching the stream, the trail turns left and climbs steeply to the stream crossing. There is a wood bridge crossing the stream at 7500 feet and 1.25 miles from the trailhead. After crossing the bridge to the west side of the stream, resume climbing south up the Broads Fork drainage. The trail head up past several small benches for another 0.75 miles to reach the meadows at 8400 feet. The trail is well-maintained and clearly distinct to the meadows. A small spur branch of the trail veers to the right to reach the top of the knoll and provides and excellent views of Mount Dromedary, Sunrise Peak and Twin Peaks. Climbers can continue on Broads Fork Trail to reach the summit of Mount Dromedary. The Broads Fork Trail is also a popular snowshoeing and backcountry skiing trail when winter comes.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Utah
Location: Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Length: One-Way: 3.5 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 7400 feet
Maximum Elevation: 9400 feet
Elevation Change: 2000 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: More Difficult
Usage: Moderate

Description: The Days Fork Trail follows an old mining road from the Spruces Campground and ends at the Eclipse Mine in the upper bowl of the drainage. There are several avalanche paths along the entire Length of the trail. Parking within Spruces Campground is subject to a day use fee. Several mines are visible along the Days Fork Trail. The State of Utah recommends that you do not enter these mines and use caution around the debris for your safety. When winter comes, the Days Fork Trail becomes a popular snowshoeing location.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Utah
Location: Canyonlands National Park
Length: Round Trip: 2.4 miles
Trail type: Loop
Minimum Elevation: 5040 feet
Elevation Change: 100 feet
Best Season: Spring, Fall
Difficulty: Easy
Usage: Heavy

Description: The Slickrock Trail is a short nature trail heading over slickrock in a loop between Little Spring and Big Spring Canyons. This trail stays high giving you an incredible perspective of the entire southeastern corner of Canyonlands National Park. The loop is approximately 2.5 miles and takes less than two hours to complete. The far northern end of the loop overlooks the confluence of Big Spring Canyon and Little Spring Canyon. This is an easy hike with little elevation gain appropriate for families with small children. A brochure is available for this hike. It describes much of the geology of the area and is keyed specifically to four viewpoints along the trail. Take the hike counter-clockwise about half a mile up the trail where the loop section of the trail begins. Viewpoint #1 is just before you start of the loop. From this viewpoint, there is a nice panoramic view of the entire region and many of the major landmarks: Six-shooter Peak, Elaterite Butte, Cathedral Butte, the La Sal Mountains, Ekker Butte and the Needles. The trail stays on the ridge between Little Spring Canyon and Big Spring Canyon. At Viewpoint #2, you can get a good view into upper reaches of Little Spring Canyon. After Viewpoint #3, the trail turns west and then south. You can take a long look at the region’s namesake, the Needles, as you walk along. Locating Viewpoint #4 is more difficult than the first three. It’s about a quarter-mile walk to the viewpoint, where the first three were only 50-100 feet off the trail. At #4, you can look down into massive Big Spring Canyon. In spring, you can see a live stream flowing in the distance far below. The brochure gives you a great geology lesson from this viewpoint, so plan on spending extra time here. After leaving Viewpoint #4, it’s another mile or so back to the trailhead, most of the trail following the east flank of Big Spring Canyon.

Activities: Hiking, Snowshoeing

Info:
State: Utah
Location: Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Length: One-Way: 3.4 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 6000 feet
Maximum Elevation: 8299 feet
Elevation Change: 2299 feet
Best Season: Spring to Fall
Difficulty: More Difficult
Usage: Heavy
Parking: Fee Charged

Description: The trail leading up to Grandeur Peak begins at the top of the Church Fork picnic area. You cannot park in the picnic area but there is a parking lot for the trail where the trail starts. The Grandeur Peak Trail climbs from the picnic area to the summit of Grandeur Peak. The summit of Grandeur Peak offers a view of the Salt Lake Valley and a large portion of the Wasatch Front from Neff’s Canyon on the south to Francis Peak on the north. This trail is open for most of the winter and can be hiked nearly year round. The Grandeur Peak Trail begins at the end of the road at Church Fork Picnic Area. Parking is limited at the end of the road. Parking is not allowed in the spots for the picnic sites. Additional parking is available on Mill Creek Canyon Road. The trail follows Church Fork Creek for about 1/2 3/4 of a mile. The trail narrows and then you follow a few switchbacks. The trail passes through a rock field, parallels the ridgeline for awhile and then leads straight to Grandeur Peak. After snow begins to fall, it is common to see snowshoers and backcountry skiers along the Grandeur Peak Trail.