Category Archives: Wasatch Mountains

Desolation Trail to Salt Lake Overlook

For the second weekend in a row I found myself hiking in the Wasatch Range. This time, in Mill Creek Canyon, the autumn colors were vivid despite the drab skies. I was there with a group of geocachers, led by my friend Chris Rock who was doing her 100th organized hike. There were over 20 people who made the hike, plus more who showed up for the post-hike lunch. We met at 9AM and began hiking up the Desolation Trail. My other friend Chris said he’d be there but when the group left the trailhead he wasn’t there. A short while into the hike, though, Chris caught up via a shorter, steeper trail from Thayne Canyon.

Reverse group shot
Reverse group shot


Moss along the trail
Moss along the trail


Colors through a window in the pines
Colors through a window in the pines


Chris catching up to the group
Chris catching up to the group


Hiking through brilliant orange maple
Hiking through brilliant orange maple


There were a few views into Mill Creek along the trail, but much of the views were obscured by trees. Those trees, however, were extremely colorful. The group stopped to find a few geocaches on the way up the trail, including one at a nice natural arch. We reached the Salt Lake Overlook and everyone had a camera or phone in hand to capture the view and/or take advantage of the brief moment of cell service. 🙂

Vista of the north side of Mill Creek Canyon
Vista of the north side of Mill Creek Canyon


Desolation Trail
Desolation Trail


Bill’s Arch
Bill's Arch


Desolation Trail
Desolation Trail


Trampled tree roots on the trail
Trampled tree roots on the trail


Desolation Trail
Desolation Trail


Rocky switchback
Rocky switchback


Salt Lake Overlook
Salt Lake Overlook


View along 3900 South through Millcreek
View along 3900 South through Millcreek


Mill Creek Canyon road
Mill Creek Canyon road


Grandeur Peak
Grandeur Peak


It was chilly and breezy at the overlook. I didn’t don a jacket ’cause I figured I’d warm up by keeping a brisk pace on the descent. That didn’t happen–it got colder and even began to lightly snow by the time we got back to the picnic area at the trailhead. The hike had been about 5 miles with 1,300′ elevation gain/loss. Everyone busted out potluck items for the lunch and we enjoyed burgers, chips, salads, and desserts. I had some firewood in the roof box so we had a warm fire around which to gather. This was only my second Sunday Morning Hiking Series event, though if I lived closer I would have gone to many more of ’em. I’m sure I’ll be to a handful more in the coming years.

Wide trail in Thayne Canyon
Wide trail in Thayne Canyon


Thayne Canyon
Thayne Canyon


Lunch after the hike
Lunch after the hike


Photo Gallery: Desolation Trail to Salt Lake Overlook
GPS Track and Photo Waypoints:
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