Grandeur Peak (from the west)

I have hiked Grandeur Peak many many times over the years but always from church fork. This time we attempted to access it from the west side. There are 3 main trails approaching from the  west. All three options start from the Bonneville Shoreline trail.   The option we choose starts up the ridge further to the north and closest to I-80.  

View of I-80 from along the trail.

Once the trail reaches the top of the ridge it makes a very steep climb to the south where it joins the middle trail. From the trail merge the peak is in view and the climb is very steep. Overall the trail is much more difficult than the Church Fork route. Due to the fact that I need to take too many rest stops we didn't make it all the way to the summit this time. We will have to return later to finish the job.

Beautiful wildflowers along the trail.

Joel pretending he is fat.

After making the decision to turn around we decided to come down the middle trail. This option appeared to be a little more steep and also a little shorter. I can tell you honestly me knees and thighs were quite sore after this decent.

View towards downtown Salt Lake from where we turned around

Getting There:
 From the stop light at 3300 South and Wasatch Boulevard head east to stay on Wasatch Boulevard.   Wasatch Boulevard immediately turns north and parallels I-215.  Follow Wasatch Boulevard to its end where there is plenty of parking.  From the end of Wasatch Boulevard walk up the dirt road and take the first right fork.   The dirt road heads towards the mountain.  To the left (north) is the first ridge from Parleys Canyon.  In the gully formed by the first and second ridge south of Parleys Canyon, there is a well-maintained trail leading up the bottom of the gully.   This is the best route for climbing the West Ridge.  The trail follows the gully and than cuts left to the ridge top and a view of Parleys Canyon.  From the Parleys Canyon viewpoint the route is a well-used hiker made trail which follows the steep ridge to the summit.


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Mill B North and Hidden Falls

The Mill B North Trail Starts up Big Cottonwood Canyon. About 6 miles up the canyon in the middle of the S curve is the parking area. To the South of the road is the more popular Lake Blanche trail . The Mill B North Trail head is on the North side of the road near the top of the S curve. This trail is more often uses to access Hidden falls that is just a short distance from the Road.

The trail forks almost immediately after crossing the road. The trail to the left goes to the falls and the trail to the right heads up several switchbacks to the top of the hill above the falls. From here the trail follows the stream above the falls for a little while before turning to the right and climbing slightly steeper. After two long switchbacks the trail makes its way to the first overlook above Big Cottonwood.

View up the Canyon from the canyon overlook

Joel on the trail

After the overlook the trail heads to the northeast along the ridge between the Mill B fork and Porter fork canyons. We stopped at an overlook above Porter Fork directly beneath Mount Raymond. The trail continues on and provides access to Mount Raymond and Gobblers Knob eventually making its way down the other side of the mountain into Millcreek Canyon. 

Taking a rest at the top of Porter fork.

On the way back down we stopped off at the falls. Hidden falls is truly a beauty. I wonder how many people travel up and down the canyon without ever seeing it.


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Ferguson Canyon

Ferguson Canyon is a little know canyon near the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon. The trailhead is a little difficult to find This is the description we followed: Follow directions to the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon. There is a 7-11 store here, at the intersection of Wasatch Blvd (Hwy 210) and Fort Union Blvd (Hwy 190, also 7200 South). From this intersection, head south on Wasatch Blvd for a quarter mile and turn left (east) into the Prospector Drive neighborhoods. Take an immediate right and head south up the hill. Take the second left onto Timberline drive and park alongside the right side of the road near the trailhead sign. A dirt road leads to a white water tower and then turns into a trail that descends into the canyon. Follow various branching trails east into the mouth of the canyon.

View back towards the Valley from the water tower

The Trail mainly follows the stream up the canyon. The first part of the canyon is surrounded by huge rocks and boulders, I would imagine it is a popular climbing spot.

We also found many old and interesting trees along the trail.

After about 1.5 miles the trail leaves the stream and heads up the mountain to the east to an overlook spot. This is where our journey ended for the day. I believe the trail does continue up to the top of storm mountain. We may have to come back and travel to trail a little further in the future.

Joel at the overlook

This was my favorite picture of the hike, an old tree perched at the top of the lookout area.

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