A Bark In The Park -
A Guide To
Walking Your
Dog Around
Salt Lake City
JENNIFER KALBACH
illustrations by
ANDREW CHESWORTH
Cruden Bay Books
1
A BARK IN THE PARK: A GUIDE TO WALKING YOUR DOG
AROUND SALT LAKE CITY
Copyright 2005 by Cruden Bay Books
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording or by any information storage
and retrieval system without permission in writing from the Publisher.
Cruden Bay Books
PO Box 467
Montchanin, DE 19710
www.hikewithyourdog.com
International Standard Book Number 0-9744083-7-9
Manufactured in the United States of America
2
Contents
AMERICAN FORK CANYON
16
BONNEVLLE SHORELINE TRAIL
20
DIMPLE DELL REGIONAL NATURE PARK
22
ENSIGN PEAK PARK
24
DRAPER CITY PARK
26
FERGUSON CANYON
28
HIGH UINTA WILDERNESS
30
JORDAN RIVER PARKWAY
32
LONE PEAK WILDERNESS
34
MEMORY GROVE
36
MILLCREEK CANYON
38
MORMON PIONEER TRAIL
42
MOUNT OLYMPUS
44
MUELLER PARK PICNIC GROUNDS
46
NEFFS CANYON
48
PARLEYS NATURE PRESERVE
50
ROSE CANYON
52
STEALTH TRAIL SYSTEM
54
SUGARHOUSE PARK
56
Also...
HIKING WITH YOUR DOG
6
OUTFITTING YOUR DOG FOR A HIKE
9
LOW IMPACT HIKING WITH YOUR
DOG
12
CAMPING WITH YOUR DOG
13
DOG PARKS
58
NO DOGS!
61
3
About This Guide
Walking your dog in the Salt Lake City region should be an
incredible experience with all the surrounding beauty the area
has to offer. Instead, it can sometimes be a hassle. With leash
laws, traffic and restrictions in watershed areas finding a
good canine hike can sometimes seem impossible. This book,
written with the guidance of my two dogs Cami and Cosmo,
was written to do just that.
Within an hour’s drive of Salt Lake City we have hunted out
19 different areas with a variety of hiking options. I selected
the hikes I felt were the best based on location, trail beauty and
the opportunity for canine swimming. Of primary importance
were those trails where I felt my dogs to be most welcome
and safe. In addition, I have provided a list of local dog parks.
Some prime hiking destinations areas have been omitted from
this “best list” due to conditions I consider hazardous to dogs.
Sections of the Corner Canyon area in Draper are left out
because of large quantities of human garbage off trail that
could potentially cause serious injury to dogs. Antelope
Island is omitted because of the danger of encountering loose
wild buffalo along many of the trails.
Hopefully this book will provide the dog-walking community
with a greater variety of hiking options, giving some overused
trails a rest. When visiting these areas please remember to
always clean up after your pet, keep him under control and
have a great walk!
Run hard, bark loud,
Jennifer Kalbach
4
Before Heading
Out...
5
Hiking With Your Dog
So you want to start hiking with your dog. Hiking with
your dog can be a fascinating way to explore the Salt Lake
valley from a canine perspective. Some things to consider:
Dog’s Health
Hiking can be a wonderful preventative for any number
of physical and behavioral disorders. One in every three
dogs is overweight and running up trails and leaping
through streams is great exercise to help keep pounds off.
Hiking can also relieve boredom in a dog’s routine and calm
dogs prone to destructive habits. And hiking with your dog
strengthens the overall owner/dog bond.
Breed of Dog
All dogs enjoy the new scents and sights of a trail.
But some dogs are better suited to hiking than others.
If you don’t as yet have a hiking companion, select a breed
that matches your interests. Do you look forward to an
entire afternoon’s hiking? You’ll need a dog bred to keep up
with such a pace, such as a retriever or a spaniel.
Is a half-hour enough walking for you? It may not be for
an energetic dog like a border collie. If you already have
a hiking friend, tailor your plans to his abilities.
Conditioning
Just like humans, dogs need to be acclimated to the task
at hand. An inactive dog cannot be expected to bounce
from the easy chair in the den to complete a 3-hour hike.
You must also be physically able to restrain your dog if
confronted with distractions on the trail (like a scampering
squirrel or a pack of joggers). Have your dog checked by
a veterinarian before significantly increasing your dog’s
activity level.
6
Weather
Hot, dry summers do not do dogs any favors. With no
sweat glands and only panting available to disperse body
heat, dogs are much more susceptible to heat stroke than we
are. Unusually rapid panting and/or a bright red tongue are
signs of heat exhaustion in your pet. Always carry enough
water for your hike. Even days that don’t seem too warm
can cause discomfort in dark-coated dogs if the sun is shining
brightly. In cold weather, short-coated breeds may require
additional attention.
Trail Hazards
Dogs won’t get poison ivy but they can transfer it to
you. Stinging nettle is a nuisance plant that lurks on the
side of many trails and the slightest brush will deliver
troublesome needles into a dog’s coat. Some trails are
littered with small pieces of broken glass that can slice a
dog’s paws. Nasty thorns can also blanket trails that we in
shoes may never notice.
Water
Surface water, including fast-flowing streams, is likely to
be infested with a microscopic protozoa called Giardia,
waiting to wreak havoc on your dog’s intestinal system.
The most common symptom is potentially crippling diarrhea.
Algae, pollutants and contaminants can all be in streams,
ponds and puddles. If possible, carry fresh water for your
dog on the trail - your dog can even learn to drink happily
from a squirt bottle.
Rattlesnakes
During the summer months, they generally emerge only at
night because they can’t regulate their body temperature and
the heat is too intense. During spring and autumn, however,
you may see them during the day. Unless cornered or
teased by humans, a rattlesnake will crawl away and avoid
striking. If you are hiking in remote regions outlined in this
book at any time other than winter, wear protective clothing.
7
Avoid rocky areas, crevasses, caves, and areas where the
ground cover (weed or grass) prevents you from seeing the
ground. These are all places where snakes are likely to hang
out. Stick to trails and roads. It’s always a good idea to buy a
snakebite kit at the local camping or sports store. If you
encounter a snake, scold your dog severely (or use whatever
method you normally use to train her.)
I can’t think of anything that brings me closer to tears than
when my old dog - completely exhausted afters a hard day
in the field - limps away from her nice spot in front of the fire
and comes over to where I’m sitting and puts her head in my lap,
a paw over my knee, and closes her eyes, and goes back to sleep.
I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve that kind of friend.”
-Gene Hill
8
Outfitting Your Dog For A Hike
These are the basics for taking your dog on a hike:
4 Collar.
It should not be so loose as to come off but
you should be able to slide your flat hand
under the collar.
4 Identification Tags.
4 Bandanna.
Get one with your veterinarian’s
phone number as well.
Can help distinguish him from game
in hunting season.
4 Leash.
Leather lasts forever but if there’s water in
your future, consider quick-drying nylon.
4 Water.
Carry 8 ounces for every hour of hiking.
I want my dog to help carry water, snacks and other
supplies on the trail. Where do I start?
To select an appropriate dog pack. Measure your dog’s
girth around the rib cage to determine the best pack size.
A dog pack should fit securely without hindering the dog’s
ability to walk normally.
Will my dog wear a pack?
Wearing a dog pack is no more obtrusive than wearing
a collar, although some dogs will take to a pack easier
than others. Introduce the pack by draping a towel over
your dog’s back in the house and then having your dog
wear an empty pack on short walks. Progressively add
some crumpled newspaper and then bits of clothing. Fill the
pack with treats and reward your dog from the stash.
Soon your dog will associate the dog pack with an outdoor
adventure and will eagerly look forward to wearing it.
9
How much weight can I put into a dog pack?
Many dog packs are sold by weight recommendations.
A healthy, well-conditioned dog can comfortably carry 25%
to 33% of its body weight. Breeds prone to back problems or
hip dysplasia should not wear dog packs. Consult your
veterinarian before stuffing the pouches with gear.
How does a dog wear a pack?
The pack, typically with cargo pouches on either side,
should ride as close to the shoulders as possible without
limiting movement. The straps that hold the dog pack in
place should be situated where they will not cause chafing.
What are good things to put in a dog pack?
Low density items such as food and poop bags are good
choices. Ice cold bottles of water can cool your dog down on
hot days. Don’t put anything in a dog pack that can break.
Dogs will bang the pack on rocks and trees as they wiggle
through tight spots in the trail. Dogs also like to lie down
in creeks and other wet spots so seal items in plastic
bags. A good use for dog packs when on day hikes around
Salt Lake City is trail maintenance - your dog can pack out
trash left by inconsiderate visitors before you.
10
Are dog booties a good idea?
Dog booties can be an asset, especially for the occasional
canine hiker whose paw pads have not become toughened.
Many of the trails near Salt Lake City involve rocky terrain.
In some places, broken glass abounds. Hiking boots for
dogs are designed to prevent pads from cracking while
trotting across rough surfaces. Used in winter, dog booties
provide warmth and keep ice balls from forming between
toe pads when hiking through snow.
What should a doggie first aid kit include?
Even when taking short hikes it is a good idea to have some
basics available for emergencies:
4
4
4
4
4
4
4” square gauze pads
cling type bandaging tapes
topical wound disinfectant cream
tweezers
petroleum jelly (to cover ticks)
veterinarian’s phone number
“We are alone, absolutely alone on this chance
planet; and, amid all the forms of life that
surround us, not one, excepting the dog,
has made an alliance with us.”
-Maurice Maeterlinck
11
Low Impact Hiking With Your Dog
Every time you hike with your dog on the trail you are an
ambassador for all dog owners. Some people you meet
won’t believe in your right to take a dog on the trail.
Be friendly to all and make the best impression you can by
practicing low impact hiking with your dog:
Pack out everything you pack in.
Do not leave dog scat on the trail; if you haven’t
brought plastic bags for poop removal bury it
away from the trail and topical water sources.
Hike only where dogs are allowed.
Stay on the trail.
Do not allow your dog to chase wildlife.
Step off the trail and wait with your dog while
horses and other hikers pass.
Do not allow your dog to bark - people are enjoying
the trail for serenity.
Have as much fun on your hike as your dog does.
“Children are for people who can’t have dogs.”
-Anonymous
12
Camping With Your Dog
Many of the parks and trails around Salt Lake City have
campsites right there, along with miles of hiking trails, so it
is natural you might want to spend the night after a long day
on the trails. If you decide to camp with your dog, here are
some tips:believe in your right to take a dog on the trail. Be
friendly
to all and make the best impression you can by
Camp only in areas that are approved by the U. S. Forest
Service, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or the
local government administering the campground/park.
Be sure your dog is wearing I.D. tags and has all current
shots.
Take along plenty of food and water.
Have private sleeping arrangements, and camp in a
shady area.
Don’t let your dog run loose in the campsite.
If your dog swims, make sure he has a way out of the
water. Dogs can drown because they try to climb out a
bank or ledge that is too steep for them.
Rinse off your dog with fresh water when you are done
hiking and/or camping, and look for ticks and fleas.
“Properly trained, a man can be dog’s best friend.”
-Corey Ford
13
The Other End Of The Leash
Leash laws are like speed limits - everyone seems to have a
private interpretation of their validity. Some dog owners
never go outside with an unleashed dog; others treat the laws
as suggestions or disregard them completely. It is not the
purpose of this book to tell dog owners where to go to evade
the leash laws or reveal the parks where rangers will look
the other way at an unleashed dog. Nor is it the business of
this book to preach vigilant adherence to the leash laws.
Nothing written in a book is going to change people’s behavior with regard to leash laws. So this will be the last time
leash laws are mentioned, save occasionally when we point out
the parks where dogs are welcomed off leash.
“No one appreciates the very special genius of your
conversation as a dog does.”
-Christopher Morley
14
A Bark In The Park...
15
American Fork Canyon
The Park
Burlington
Utah County
County
Mormon settlers followed
hunters and trappers to the
Phone Number
- None
American Fork creek, receivWebsite
ing permission from Brigham
- None
Young to develop the land for
Admission Fee
cattle ranches in 1850. Suc- $3.00 for 3-day pass
cessful mines operated in the
Directions
canyon for several decades
- Take Interstate 15 to
Exit 287 at Highland/Alpine
until the ore played out. About
and turn left onto State
that time, in the summer of
Road 92. Follow the road
1915, teenagers on a family
towards the mountain heading
outing stumbled onto a cave
east into American Fork
opening high on the canyon’s
Canyon.
south slopes. Back in 1887,
Martin Hansen had discovered
a colorful cave in the same location but the Hansen Cave was
soon looted of its natural splendor by souvenir hunters and
museum suppliers. This second cave was, for some reason,
ignored and forgotten until 1921 when an outdoor club re-discovered the Timpanogos Cave. Soon a third underground chamber,
the Middle Cave, was found nearby. These new caves were
spared the fate that befell the original Hansen Cave when in 1922,
at the urgings of private citizens and the US Forest Service,
President Warren G. Harding issued a proclamation establishing Timpanogos Cave National Monument. Since that time the
American Fork Canyon has been a destination for recreation
instead of commerce.
16
Bonus
It was a long wait for mule-powered wagons to bring
the valuable ore out of American Fork Canyon.
So in 1872 the Aspinwall Steamship Company built a
railroad through the canyon but steep terrain left the line
four miles short of its destination in Forest City.
At this terminus, on the banks of the creek, the town of
Deer Creek sprung up to service the railroad a boarding house, claims office, dining hall, large
charcoal kilns to provide fuel for engines.
The town didn’t make it to next census, however,
as it began to fade away when the railroad
closed down in 1878.
The Walks
Deer Creek Trail: This hearty canine hike leaves the Granite
Flat Campground and heads up a series of switchbacks along
an exposed slope. Your destination will be an overlook of Silver
Lake some three hours away. The path tramps through a grassy
meadow and along a ridge. There is limited parking at this
trailhead.
Great Western Trail: The Great Western Trail covers over
1,600 miles across Utah, including a ramble through the American Fork Canyon. To reach the trailhead, follow the road past
the pay booth for 7.5 miles to the intersection for Timpooneke
and go right. Continue beyond the campground to the parking
lot on the left. Look for the trailhead on the south side of the lot.
If you head west, the trail is well-maintained until you
begin to switchback uphill. The ridge at the top will eventually
lead you in less than an hour to a giant open meadow where
you and your dog can soak in the spectacular mountain views.
Traveling east, the Great Western rolls over hills and under
groves of aspens. You can create a five-mile loop on this route
but you will be crossing traffic so keep your dog close.
Mill Canyon Trail No. 040: A rarity at this elevation, this
canine hike is accessible year-round. Dogs will love romping
through the deep snow in winter and cooling off in the stream
during the summer. The smooth dirt trail is paw-friendly with
lots of shady woods to relieve a panting dog. Find the trailhead
on the opposite side of the river feeding Tibble Fork Reservoir.
An open meadow an hour into the hike is a good spot for turning
around on this out-and-back trail.
17
Tibble Fork Trail No. 041: Approximately one-half mile up
the Mill Canyon Trail, the path splits. To the right is the Tibble
Fork Trail. This is a loop that returns to the trailhead for Mill
Canyon and also at the dam for the Tibble Fork Reservoir.
The return loop towards the dam traverses ground above the
canyon road and affords splendid views along the way.
Silver Lake Reservoir: You will find this trailhead four miles
up an unimproved road from Tibble Fork Reservoir. Once on
the trail expect some panting as you will be gaining nearly
1,500 feet in elevation in slightly under two miles before reaching
Silver Lake. The main attraction of this walk at the base of
White Baldy are the views of the looming Timpanogos. Along the
way you pick your way up through aspen woods along a stream
punctuated by numerous beaver dams and old mine tailings.
Expect snow at the lake into June.
Tibble Fork Reservoir: The Tibble Fork Reservoir, fed by the
Deer Creek and the North Fork River, was completed in 1966
on the site where the town of Deer Creek once stood. From the
parking lot at the reservoir follow the asphalt to the Granite Flat
Campground and begin the switchbacks up the dirt road to the
Silver Lake Reservoir. This hike with your dog is recommended
only in the winter when the 4-Mile Road between the reservoirs
is closed and gated. Even then, keep an eye out for snowmobile
traffic.
Timpooneke Trail: You can make this popular ascent of
11,750-foot Mount Timpanagos from the same parking lot that
you access the Great Western Trail.This all-day outing with your
18
dog is the center trail marked Timpooneke 053. The trail is
well- maintained and well-marked making it easy to stay on track
as you navigate the steep climbs and many switchbacks. There
are several small stream crossings to refresh your dog along the
way and a glacial pool near the summit. If you haven’t had your
fill of mountain views on the way up, there is an out-of-commission lookout tower once you tag the peak.
Trail Sense: A trail map is available at the pay booth.
Dog Friendliness
Dogs are permitted off-leash in American Fork Canyon.
Traffic
These trails receive light to moderate use. Stay alert for
horses and mountain bikes on the lower elevation trails; the
Great Western Loop is a favorite of wheelmen. Bikes and motorized vehicles are prohibited on the Timpooneke Trail.
Canine Swimming
Water-loving dogs will enjoy extended playtime in the
Tibble Fork and Silver Lake reservoirs. The mountain streams are
good for splashing and an occasional doggie dip.
Trail Time
Canine hikers in the American Fork Canyon will be devoting
at least an hour to these trails.
“The greatest pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool
of yourself with him, and not only will he not scold you,
but will make a fool of himself too.”
- Samuel Butler
19
Bonneville Shoreline Trail
The Park
Burlington
several counties
County
The concept for what will
eventually be a 90-mile trail
system from Spanish Fork to
Ogden germinated in 1990 as
a compromise to keep access to
parks considering fences and
user fees. Salt Lake City
adapted a formal trail system
east and north of the city and
shortly thereafter the fourcounty area ambitiously decided to create a continuous
north-south dirt path. At this
time non-contiguous segments
of the path are completed.
Phone Number
- (801) 816-0876
Website
- www.bonneville-trail.org
Admission Fee
- None
Directions
- In Ogden the trailhead is
at the top of 22nd Street
behind Rainbow Gardens.
Trail access in Salt Lake City
can be found at Bonneville
Drive east of City Creek
Canyon Road, the avenues
above the University of Utah
and on Emigration Canyon
Road east of the Pioneer
Trails State Park.
The Walks
Ogden: In Ogden the
Bonneville Shoreline Trail runs along the front of Mount Ogden
and accesses most of the city’s trail systems.The narrow dirt
ribbon is mostly exposed so bring plenty of drinking water for
your dog.
Bountiful: From the Bonneville Shoreline Trail you can turn
and climb Adams Canyon Trail along the North Fork of the
Holms Creek. Your destination will be the cooling spray of a
40-foot waterfall.
Salt Lake City: Kicking off to the east of This Is The Place
State Park, the trail uses switchbacks to climb from Sunnyside
Avenue to a dirt road. From here there are a litter of canine
hiking options - spurs and loops with views of the Salt Lake
20
Bonus
The Bonneville Shoreline Trail is the former shoreline of an
ancient 15,000 year-old lake that once covered some 20,000
square miles of Utah. Geologists consider the Lake Bonneville
shoreline the finest preserved of any Ice Age lake in the world.
The remains of the shoreline can easily be seen as you use
the trail in the hills of the Wasatchs.
Valley and the Great Salt Lake.
Trail Sense: There are no trail maps at the trailheads but an
interactive map of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail system can be
found online at www.maps.mountainland.org/bst/bst.php.
Dog Friendliness
Dogs are allowed off-leash on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.
Traffic
Mountain bikers frequently test the single track dirt pathway
and expect other canine hikers and some horses as well. The sections of the trail in close proximity to the University of Utah and
Salt Lake City see heavy use.
Canine Swimming
There is no swimming on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail
but sidetrips into the mountain canyons can lead to a doggie
swimming hole.
Trail Time
You can spend more than an hour on the long-distance trail or
do a quick out-and back hike with your dog.
“My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to 99
cents a can. That’s almost $7.00 in dog money.”
-Joe Weinstein
21
Dimple Dell
Regional Nature Park
The Park
Burlington
Salt Lake County
County
This area of nearly 650
undeveloped acres passing
through the center of Sandy
was established under the
County Commission as a nature
preserve.
Phone Number
- None
Website
- None
Admission Fee
- None
Directions
- Exit I-215 at the 10,600
South ramp and head east to
1300 East.Turn left and
continue to the Wrangler
Trailhead located 1/4-mile
ahead on the east side of
1300 East.
The Walks
Dimple Dell Park includes
easy walking trails that are
well-maintained and pawfriendly. As you meander
about the park your dog will
walk on bark chips, dirt and
sand. The dominant feature of
this natural landscape is a
gully filled with scrub oak and
sage where you can find little
bits of shade on a sunny canine hike. Dimple Dell is a
great place to come and explore with your dog and design
your own personal route.
Trail Sense: The trails are
well-marked.
22
Bonus
On July 20, 1805 Meriwether Lewis made the first
of many notations in his journal of a “black woodpecker
that has a long tail and flys a good deel (sic) like the jay bird.”
He brought a specimen back from the
Voyage of Discovery for a museum in Philadelphia
and shortly thereafter the 9-inch bird with a
dark bronze-green head and pinkish belly came
to be known as the Lewis Woodpecker.
Dimple Dell is a good place to look for a
Lewis Woodpecker. Search in telephone poles and dead trees
although they are also known to forage along the ground in
search of acorns, berries and insects.
Dog Friendliness
Dogs are allowed on the Dimple Dell trails.
Traffic
This area is used heavily by equestrians. You may also
encounter runners, hikers, dog walkers and an occasional
mountain bike on the trails.
Canine Swimming
Don’t come to Dimple Dell looking for a canine swim.
Trail Time
There are plenty of good loops here that can be completed in
under one hour.
“He is very imprudent, a dog is. He never makes it his business to
inquire whether you are in the right or in the wrong, never bothers
as to whether you are going up or down upon life’s ladder,
never asks whether you are rich or poor, silly or wise,
sinner or saint.””
-Jerome K. Jerome
23
Ensign Peak Park
The Park
Salt Lake County
Burlington
County
From the rounded summit
of this conglomerate rock hill
Phone Number
- None
Brigham Young laid out plans
Website
for his new city on July 26,
- None
1847, just two days after arrivAdmission Fee
ing in the Salt Lake valley.
- None
He annointed the hill “Ensign
Directions
Peak” from the biblical proph- Take State Street north and
head east around the State
ecy by Isaiah. Efforts to preCapitol Building to East
serve the summit as a park beCapitol Boulevard. Turn left
gan in 1908 and a monument to
onto Ensign Vista Drive to the
the original settlers was conpark.
structed in 1934 but not until
1996 was the site dedicated as
a true park and donated to the people of Salt Lake City by the
Mormon Church.
The Walks
The path to the 5,414-foot summit is less than one-half mile
and winds around the hill so, even though you pick up 380 feet in
elevation, it is an easy walk with your dog. The sun can beat down
on exposed Ensign Peak and an evening stroll reaps the dual benefits of a cooler hike and a spectcular sunset.
Trail Sense: There is no problem retracing the historic
footsteps on this trail without a map.
Dog Friendliness
Dogs are allowed on Ensign Peak.
24
Bonus
There has been a legacy of flags atop Ensign Peak since
the first day Brigham Young led seven settlers to the summit.
They affixed a yellow bandana to a cane and waved it as a
symbolic gesture of welcome to all nations.
Later, one of the two United States flags carried into the valley
was flown on Ensign Peak and during the first Pioneer Day
celebration in 1849 a banner called the
“Flag of the Kingdoms” was unfurled. In 1897 a flagpole
was erected and the peak became the official flag-raising site
for the state of Utah. Today, at the trailhead,
are the American flag, the state flag and the blue
(for Baptism by Immersion) and white (for the Gift of the
Holy Ghost) flag of the Mormon Church.
Traffic
Mostly foot traffic and expect plenty of company on pleasant
evenings.
Canine Swimming
There is no swimming on Ensign Peak.
Trail Time
It will take less than one hour to visit Ensign Peak.
25
Draper City Park
The Park
Salt Lake County
Draper City, long known
Phone Number
as the “Egg Basket of Utah,” did
- (801) 576-6515
not become incorporated as a
Website
city until 1978. As part of a
- None
comprehensive plan for recreAdmission
Fee
ation and open space, the park
- None
was created in 1996. The
Directions
Porter Rockwell Trail that runs
- The park is located in Draper
through the park is named for
City at approximately 1300
East Pioneer Road (1126000
Orrin Porter Rockwell, who
South).
kept a Halfway House and
Pony Express station here. He
is more famously remembered
as an efficient bodyguard for Brigham Young and the original
settlers.
The Walks
The Porter Rockwell Trail was developed along 4.5 miles of
the Utah Transit Authority right-of-way. In addition to the paved
10-foot wide trail there is an adjoining dirt horsepath offering
a softer surface for your dog. This is an easy canine hike with
small hills and a total elevaion gain of less than 200 feet. There
is no shade and no water along the route for sweltering
summer canine hikers. Those venturing out during the winter
will find the path plowed of snow.
Dog Friendliness
Dogs are permitted in the park and on the trail. Poop bags are
provided.
26
Bonus
The park is located on the site of Fort Draper,
built on land donated by pioneer settler Ebenezer Brown
and named for his brother-in-law, the first
Presiding Elder of the Church of Latter Day Saints.
The settlers used the fort in the winter of 1849 until their
individual homes could be built.
Traffic
This is a busy recreational thoroughfare, teeming with
rollerbladers, cyclists, joggers, strollers and equestrians.
Canine Swimming
There is a small stream flowing through Draper City Park but
no water along the pathway.
Trail Time
You can spend several hours along the Porter Rockwell Trail
or use it for a quick outing with your dog in Draper City.
27
Ferguson Canyon
The Park
Salt Lake County
Ferguson Canyon lies
within the Twin Peaks Wilderness. This is a great trail
to explore during the summer
months when the sun cannot
penetrate forbidding rock
walls.
Phone Number
- (801) 733-2660
Website
- None
Admission Fee
- None
Directions
- From Wasatch Boulevard and
7800 South take Honeywood
Cove Drive up into the
neighborhood heading east.
Turn left onto Top of the
World Drive and then right
onto Timberline Drive.
The trail is just ahead on
the right - there is no lot
but signs mark where to
park along the road.
The Walks
The trail, accessible yearround, begins on a service
road for a large green water
tank but quickly drops to the
bottom of the canyon. Follow
this loose dirt-and-rock path
for several hundred yards to a
popular bouldering area.
From here the trail climbs
heart-pounding hills for an elevation gain of more than 4,000 feet
to Storm Mountain.
Dog Friendliness
Dogs are permitted on the Ferguson Canyon Trail but
cannot cross the ridge into Big Cottonwood Canyon Watershed
area.
Traffic
This trail is lightly traveled with foot traffic only.
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Bonus
Every year about 700 earthquakes are recorded in
Utah with all but a handful occurring deep within the earth.
About 500 of these tremors take place along the Wasatch Front
fault line that stretches 240 miles from Idaho to Nephi.
You can see the fault line along the bench where the
trailhead for Ferguson Canyon is located.
Canine Swimming
There is a small stream and several springs for your dog to
splash around in.
Trail Time
Less than an hour to the climbing wall and quite a bit longer
for those canine hikers forge on.
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High Uinta Wilderness
The Park
Summit/Duchesne counties
The High Uinta Wilderness,
with nearly half a million
acres, was created by Congress
in 1984. With some of the oldest rocks on the continent the
sharp peaks rise to a narrow
ridge line from bases scarcely a
mile wide. They are the highest
mountains in Utah with the
highest point being Kings
Peak at 13,528 feet.
Phone Number
- (435) 789-1181
Website
- www.fs.fed.us/r4/ashley/
recreation/highuintas.shtml
Admission Fee
- $3.00 recreation fee
Directions
- Take I-80 east over Parley's
Summit. Exit at US-40/US189, turning south (right).
Three miles later, turn left on
US-189 towards Kamas. Drive
through Kamas to U-150 "The
Mirror Lake Highway.”
The Walks
The High Uintas are renowned for glacier-carved
lakes and rich wildlife. Here are a few canine hikes that will
have you coming back for more (the lower trails are accessible
year-round but the road is not maintained in the upper elevations
during the winter):
Trial Lake: This popular day hike is one of the first you can
experience off the Mirror Lake Highway. A journey of slightly
more than two miles will lead you past several alpine lakes and
eventually up to Notch Pass with views of 10 more lakes.
Mirror Lake: The primary destination for visitors to the High
Uintas, Mirror Lake is a stepping-off point for the 83-mile long
Highline Trail that tags seven mountain passes. You can sample
this well-maintained footpath with your dog as far as you would
like before turning back.
Kamas Lake: Further on down the road comes a forested trail
that climbs to this beautiful alpine lake backed by cliffs on its
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Bonus
Check you orientation when traveling in the Uintas they are the most prominent mountain range in the
United States outside of Alaska that runs from
East to West.
western side. On the way to Kamas Lake you can enjoy views
of Bald Mountain from a mountain meadow.
Trail Sense: The trails are easy to follow but not so so easy
to complete. A trailhead map is located at the Forest Service pay
booth.
Dog Friendliness
Dogs are welcome off-leash to join your explorations of this
rugged and special place.
Traffic
In the High Uintas you will most likely be joined by hikers
and equestrians in the summer and snowshoers and cross-country
skiers in the winter.
Canine Swimming
There is no better place for a summer swim than an alpine
lake.
Trail Time
Many hours to many days, if desired.
“Dog. A kind of additional or subsidiary Deity designed to catch the
overflow and surplus of the world’s worship.”
-Ambrose Bierce
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Jordan River Parkway
The Park
Utah County
This trail covers 9 miles in
Utah County from Inlet Park to
the North end of Utah Lake,
continuing through Thanksgiving Point to the Jordan Narrows. Once it crosses the narrows it becomes a 25-mile
path through Salt Lake County.
Phone Number
- (801) 370-8640
Website
- www.utah.com/stateparks/
jordan_river.htm
Admission Fee
- None
Directions
- There are trailheads with
restrooms and parking areas at
3900 South and 4800 South.
The Walks
The asphalt trail is a good
place to wear down your dog’s
toenails. The many access points to the Jordan River Parkway
make it easy to hike in manageable chunks. Wherever you jump
on to the trail you will the going flat and easy to walk.
Trail Sense. There are trail maps posted at most trailheads.
Dog Friendliness
Dogs are welcome to join in the fun on the Jordan Parkway
Trail.
Traffic
This is the place to come for a communal canine hike - you
will encounter walkers, runners, cyclists, bladers, canoers out
on the river, fishermen, equestrians and plenty of other dogs.
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