UtahAdventurer: Snowshoeing on Millcreek Canyon trails
Millcreek Canyon offers some great snowshoeing or hiking destinations with multiple trails connecting to the canyon road. These options give you the opportunity to explore and tailor your snowshoeing adventure to your ability and preferences, as well as to weather conditions.
Church Fork Trailhead is a great place for beginners. Starting from a picnic area, just 2.4 miles from the fee booth, the trailhead is easy to find. The trail begins behind the bathrooms. Stroll casually past the picnic grounds and the beautiful waterfalls for approximately .38 miles. Take the trail to Grandeur Peak. This is an easy stroll and you will enjoy river crossings and waterfalls. While the campgrounds can give off an overly groomed feel, just keep going and it will soon feel more like nature.
Hike the Grandeur Peak trail until you come to Pipeline Junction. Then choose your own adventure. Turn right to go to Burch Hollow. Turn left for Rattlesnake Gulch. Go straight for Grandeur Peak. On our adventure this week, the entire canyon was blanketed in fog. Grandeur Peak seemed like a waste of energy — why hike all that elevation to see, well, more fog? (On a clear day, Grandeur Peak offers a fantastic few of Salt Lake Valley.)
The trail to Burch Hollow is 1.6 miles, with an elevation increase of 520 feet, and is supposedly ideal for snowshoeing. This seemed a bit on the short side, so Rattlesnake Gulch it was.
Rattlesnake Gulch offers 2.1 miles along the Pipeline Trail first, which is well packed and widely used. The Pipeline Trail is relatively flat and travels right alongside the south-facing mountain. You will find some fantastic views of the canyon and valley. Because of its low elevation and its south-facing position, you may not find enough snow for snowshoeing. Be sure to wear shoes suitable for hiking through shallow snow, or even mud.
After about 2 miles you will come to a trail marker. If you wanted to hike Grandeur Peak and missed it for some reason 2 miles back, you are granted a second chance. Go straight to Grandeur Peak, just 1.6 miles. To the left is Rattlesnake Gulch, which is a short, but steep distance back to the road.
The trail can be rather slippery, so I only recommend you take this trail if you have high-traction boots (if the snow is too shallow for snowshoeing). When you get to the road you can hike back on the road or turn around and go back the way you came, as we did.
Millcreek Canyon offers groomed trails with a variety of terrain options. These trails are well marked and suitable for the easy-to-moderate skill level of hikers.
Snowshoe Millcreek at-a-glance:
Church Fork Trail-Pipeline- Rattlesnake Gulch
Length: 2.55 miles; 5.10 miles total
Skill level: Easy
Etc.: Dogs are allowed in Millcreek Canyon
Trailhead info: Rattlesnake Gulch begins .8 miles from the fee booth. Church Fork trail begins 2.5 miles from the fee booth and will be on the left side of the road. There is no parking lot so you must park on the road.
Millcreek Canyon Directions: From I-15 north bound, exit to I-215 east bound, exit on 3800 South. Turn left on Wasatch Blvd. Turn right on 3800 South. This goes straight into the canyon.
Price: Entrance into the canyon is $3 per car
The perks
Time: Millcreek is close to I-215, and the trails are located close to mouth of the canyon.
Safety: Millcreek Canyon has a low avalanche risk and is generally less risky to drive in during inclement weather than other Northern Utah canyons.
Variety: There are a variety of trail options in Millcreek Canyon. There are four trailheads connecting to the canyon road, allowing you to tailor the hike to your preference.
The downside
Where’s the snow: These Millcreek Canyon trails are lower in elevation, so there is a chance there is not enough snow for snowshoeing. Bring both snowshoes and quality winter hiking boots.
Fog and smog: These may limit your enjoyment of the views. Try to go on a clear day.
No loop: This particular trail does not loop unless you want to hike along the road for 2 miles.
