Salt Lake City, You've Been Great: Hiking the Wasatch Front

Published on: | Author: Shana

A sweeping view of the Salt Lake Valley from a high elevation trail in the Wasatch Mountains
Looking down at the Salt Lake Valley after a steep climb into the Wasatch Mountains.

After navigating the sun-drenched creek crossings of Seven Falls in Arizona, we drove north to find cooler temperatures and higher elevations. Our destination? The towering, snow-capped peaks surrounding Utah's capital. It is time to conclude this incredible leg of our journey, and I have just one thing to say: Salt Lake City, you've been great.

Unmatched Access to the Wasatch Mountains

One of the most remarkable things about Salt Lake City (SLC) is how seamlessly the urban environment blends into the wilderness. Within 20 minutes of leaving downtown, you can be lacing up your hiking boots at the base of the spectacular Wasatch Mountains. The canyons here—specifically Big Cottonwood and Little Cottonwood—are an outdoor lover's absolute dream.

The contrast from our desert hikes was immediate. The trails here are flanked by dense quaking aspens, rushing glacial streams, and dramatic granite peaks that challenge even the most seasoned hikers.

Highlights from the Utah Trails

While it is impossible to hike everything SLC has to offer in a single trip, a few specific moments truly stole the show:

  • The Alpine Lakes: Hiking to destinations like Lake Blanche offers a grueling, steep elevation gain that pays off with breathtaking views of Sundial Peak reflecting in perfectly still, icy waters.
  • Wildflower Season: Depending on when you visit, the higher elevation meadows erupt into a kaleidoscope of colors. Hiking through fields of Indian Paintbrush and Wasatch Penstemon feels like walking through a painting.
  • The Bonneville Shoreline: For an easier evening hike, traversing the Bonneville Shoreline Trail offers unmatched, golden-hour views of the entire Salt Lake Valley and the Great Salt Lake gleaming in the distance.

Wrapping Up an Epic Journey

Salt Lake City provided the perfect finale to a road trip that took us from the geothermal wonders of Yellowstone, through the dense rainforests of the Pacific Northwest, down to the mystical red rocks of Sedona, and across the harsh beauty of the Sonoran Desert.

Every trail tested us differently. We dealt with thin alpine air, blazing desert sun, unpredictable rain, and steep, rocky scrambles. But through it all, the reward was always the same: a profound, humbling connection to the natural world.

What is Next for Shana Takes a Hike?

While this specific road trip has come to an end, the adventure is far from over. I am heading home to rest my knees, clean my boots, and start plotting the next route. Make sure to check the Main Blog Page regularly for new guides, gear reviews, and upcoming travel plans!