NEW TRAIL!! I'm branching out a bit from my usual Salt Lake County mountain trails to hike in Davis County. The wonderful thing about living anywhere along the Wasatch front is the close proximity we have to mountain trails. In minutes we can escape the crazy city and find peace on a mountain trail (well maybe not so much peace and quiet on busy summer weekends). The North Canyon / Mueller Park trail near the city of Bountiful can be divided easily into three fairly equal sections for a total distance of 10.6 miles. We begin by leaving a shuttle car at the Mueller Park trailhead and driving a second car to the entrance of North Canyon. (driving directions found at the end of the blog)
Part I North Canyon to Rudy's Flat - 3.5 miles
The North Canyon trail begins by hiking up a rough, rocky 4 X 4 road for 1.2 miles before reaching the true trailhead. This area is private property and the least pleasant section of the hike, but there were still plenty of trees, wildflowers, wildlife (deer) and a small babbling stream to enjoy. This section is also the steepest part of the hike with an elevation gain of about 1580 feet to the City Creek Canyon overlook.
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| I almost got a good picture of the deer. |
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| Some deep puddles. |
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| End of road, beginning of trail. |
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| Time for a new trail sign. |
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| Looking down canyon towards the Great Salt Lake. |
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| Zoomed in on the Bountiful LDS temple. |
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| View of City Creek Canyon |
Part II Rudy's Flat to Elephant Rock - 3.5 Miles
Rudy's Flat to Elephant Rock is a delightful walk through serene forest and lush vegetation. The entire mountain is rimmed with blossoming serviceberry, choke cherry and wild raspberry bushes. The Gamble oak and Big-tooth maple trees are now completely leaved out at this elevation. The steep part of the trail is over, now just enjoy a gradual downhill. This was my favorite part of the trail even though it began to rain and rain hard! But we knew the rain was coming and were prepared with adequate rain gear. |
| Rain causing mini (and many) rivers on trail. |
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| Tiny lavender violets |
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| OH Sweetpea! |
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| Someone forgot their shoes?? |
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| Looking down on the top of Elephant Rock. |
Part III Elephant Rock down Mueller Park - 3.6 Miles
This section of trail is very popular with Bountiful city families. It is a well loved and well used trail especially on weekends. The gentle sloping hills on this portion of the trail was covered with wild roses, balsamroots, mulesears, and wild onions. We also got a very good look at a colorful Black-headed Grosbeak. There are a couple of nice resting benches overlooking Elephant Rock that would make a wonderful vantage point for a spectacular Utah sunset. I found a little history of Mueller Park canyon. In 1927 a successful baker from Germany named George Mueller donated 1000 acres of his land to Salt Lake City for recreational use, hence the name Mueller Park. I must add that the entire loop trail I have described is also a very popular mountain bike trail - so beware and be prepared to share the trail! |
| Looking up at Elephant Rock you can make out the shape of an elephants head. |
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| A natural gas pipeline has been added to the hillside. |
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| You begin to see the beautiful homes in Mueller Park neighborhood. |
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| Your guess is as good as mine?? |
Directions:
Take the 2600 South Bountiful exit from I-15 and head east toward the mountains. This road will curve northward, continue on and turn right onto 1800 South. Follow 1800 South right into Mueller Park to leave a shuttle car near the large footbridge just before entering the camping area. To find North Canyon from Mueller Park turn left (south) on Bountiful Blvd and continue about 1.7 miles, turn left on Canyon Creek road and drive uphill to the end of the pavement where the road dead ends and the rough, rocky 4 X 4 road begins. Leave your second car here and begin the hike.
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