Happy Trails!
Photography: Patrick Cone
Carol Potter, Director, Mountain Trails Foundation:
“As director of Mountain Trails Foundation, it is really difficult to pick one favorite from 325 miles of trail. If pressed, I’d have to say my favorite is just about anywhere on Mid Mountain Trail. But the brand-new stretch from Silver Lake Village at Deer Valley to Park City Mountain Resort is really a showstopper! It is at 8,000 feet elevation yet almost level. It’s spectacularly beautiful with enchanted forests, stands of glimmering aspen and panoramic scenic vistas and scenery that change constantly. The ability to easily access the trail at Silver Lake Village without a “Stairmaster” uphill experience and the option to ride the Town Lift down to Old Town makes this a do-able trail for just about everyone.”
Charlie Sturgis, Owner, White Pine Touring:
When Charlie Sturgis wants to get away, he heads for the Uinta Mountains, where he says his favorite trail is “anywhere off the Crystal Lake Trailhead. There are just a ton of options.” Take Mirror Lake Highway to the Trial Lake exit. The parking lot at the Crystal Lake Trailhead is about a mile off the highway. Why is this collection of trails his favorite? “There’s just so much variety—everything from a short one-mile hike to longer hikes that feature lakes for a quick swim, wildflower vistas—there are even goats up there. I spend more time up there than I probably should.”
For information on other favorites, Sturgis suggests picking up a copy of “Prime Cuts,” a book he wrote with Mark Fischer that was published last spring. At first glance it appears the book is geared solely for the mountain biker. But hikers will find it useful, too, as it contains mileage, elevation change and “what’s-cool-about-the-trail” information. Pick up a copy at Dolly’s Bookstore on Main Street, at White Pine Touring on Bonanza Drive, or at bookstores throughout Salt Lake City.
Senta Beyer, Trails Project Manager, Snyderville Basin Recreation:
Senta Beyer’s pick is the Mid Mountain Trail from Red Pine Lodge at The Canyons Resort to Ambush Junction. There are many options for this hike, she says. If you are looking for a long power-hike, scramble up Holly’s (Lookout Trail) and tie into the Mid Mountain Trail near Lookout Lodge. If you are not up for such a long excursion, hikers and trail runners can take The Canyons gondola to Red Pine Lodge and jump on the Mid Mountain Trail from there. Beyer suggests hiking north toward Pinebrook. Then, if you’re inclined, take the well-signed Ridge Connector Trail into Millcreek Canyon. (Hikers are better off hiking into Millcreek on odd-numbered days to avoid cyclists coming off the Wasatch Crest Trail). If you are looking to stay in the vicinity, hike further north on the Mid Mountain Trail to the junction of Ambush Trail and the Sun Peak Connector. You then have the option of either hiking to Pinebrook on the Mid Mountain Trail (recommended as an out-and-back), or out Sun Peak. Both of these options are long hikes, so be prepared. Beyer says that these trails are all charted on the annually updated Mountain Trails Foundation Trail Map.
Steve Graff, Manager, Deer Valley Ski/Bike Patrol:
“One of my favorite hikes at Deer Valley is the Silver Lake Trail,” says Deer Valley Resort’s Steve Graff. This trail starts at Silver Lake Village and winds its way up to Bald Mountain. While only about two miles in length, the trail is fairly steep. It starts at 8,100 feet and finishes at 9,400 feet for a gain of 1,300 feet. The Silver Lake Trail begins its ascent in thick aspen and pine forest. As it circles Bald Mountain, it emerges from the woods where spectacular views of Jordanelle Reservoir and the Uinta Mountains await hikers. Continue to the top of Bald Mountain for rewarding views of Mt. Timpanogos and the back of the Wasatch Range. From the top, hikers can enjoy a relaxing chairlift ride back to the starting point at Silver Lake, for free. You earned it! Those who want to continue hiking can descend the Ontario Canyon Trail, which winds its way down the opposite side of Bald Mountain, passing by old structures that are relics of Park City’s mining past. Finish up back where you started at Silver Lake and enjoy a cold beverage and burger at Royal Street Café—a great way to end a hike in the Wasatch.
Rick Silver, Employee, Park City Mountain Resort’s snowmaking and grooming department and builder of the resort’s trail system:
“I would say my favorite hike is at Park City Mountain Resort—the old historic Crescent Mine Grade.” Silver explained that the trail’s original use was for a narrow gage railroad.
To get to the trail, hike up the main drainage (Home Run for skiers) from the resort’s base for about a half mile. Turn right at the junction. The trail is marked with a sign. It’s about a three-mile hike to Thaynes Road, intersecting several trail options along the way. Follow the trail past Thaynes Mine and the California Comstock Mine building, the historic route to two mines.
Silver says that since all trails are well-used by mountain bikers, he particularly likes this trail because it is wide enough for bikers and hikers to pass one another with little interference. He says it also offers splendid views of Park City.
Scott Pierpont, The Canyons Resort President:
The Canyons Resort President, is most often found pedaling rather than hiking up the trails of Park City. But when he’s on foot, you'll find him on the singletrack hike to Fantasy Ridge at The Canyons. To begin the hike, take the Flight of The Canyons gondola to Red Pine Road and then the Tombstone Trail. Follow that singletrack hiking trail to the top of 9,350, hike across the spine of Fantasy Ridge, and end up at the top of Ninety Nine 90 (9,990 feet). Once you get close to the top, the views as far as Salt Lake City, the Kennecott Copper Mine and the Great Salt Lake are spectacular.
“I love it, because there are not a lot of people on it, and it has some of the best vistas around. Plus, it’s technical and challenging too,” says Pierpont. He adds that the hike is not for the faint of heart. The average time (up and down) is about three hours.
If you don’t feel like going back the way you came, an alternate route down is to take the Wasatch Crest Trail to the Mid Mountain connector, and back to Red Pine.
Troy Duffin, former Executive Director of Mountain Trails Foun-dation, (presently, board member of Mountain Trails Foundation and owner of Alpine Trails, a trail design, construction and maintenance company):
“My favorite trail is the Mid Mountain Trail from Ambush Trail in The Canyons over to Pinebrook because it affords some of the most phenomenal views, variation in vegetation and thick trees and north faces with old growth. It also affords variation in the type of trail in climbing and dropping and tight twisties, turns and rock outcrops.”
Access Mid Mountain Trail by either The Canyons gondola or Holly’s (Lookout Trail). The trailhead is not far from The Canyons base. A service road beginning near The Canyons Resort Drive eventually turns into Boa Ski Run, which intersects with Ambush Trail.
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