Salt Lake Overlook via Desolation Trail
6.2 mi
Distance
2 hrs 37 min
Time
terrain
1,249 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a moderate out and back trail in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.
Getting Started
Park in the parking lot at the trail head! Walk for almost a 100 yards and take the right trail when at the fork.
Taking Children
This trails is relatively child friendly (6).
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
The hike is pretty, a little steep but not too challenging, and the proximity to SLC was nice. It costs $5 to get into the area where this trail is located. Also, I recorded on strava, followed the trail as it’s shown on Gaia, and I measured 5 miles total out and back, with 1,338 total elevation gain. I’m not sure which is correct but I have a fair amount of hiking experience and this didn’t feel like 3,000+ gain to me.
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The trail was rather muddy, icy, and slushy due to the epic snow fall we have had this year, this past week's rain, and the warmer sun that cropped up over the past few days. Despite that, we got up fine to the top in 2 hours and 30 minutes with microspikes. The lower elevation was green and lovely while the upper trail still had a lot of snow.
This trail is really enjoyable. It is super green in the spring and rather shady for most of it in the summer and fall. If you want a quick yet steep trail to the top for an excellent view of Salt Lake City, this is your hike.
It is a traditional trail with a simple single track dirt trail from the bottom to the top. The end has some awesome rocks that outcrop over the valley that any famous instagramers will love (sorry instagram husbands, you're going to be taking a lot of pictures).
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