By Liz Stanley

It’s peak fall foliage and the ideal time to pull on your outdoor gear and enjoy the beautiful mountains and colorific leaves that are moments away from our doorsteps—isn’t that the reason we live in Utah, afterall? (Well, it should be.) Here’s a nice-n-easy fall hike for pullin’ on those autumn hiking boots:

Location: Desolation Trail in Mill Creek Canyon

Trail Scoop: Two miles of gentle, family-friendly hiking lead you through gorgeous pine trees and cool rock formations to an overlook of the Salt Lake Valley. Mill Creek is the only canyon that allows canine companions so you can bring the whole family (get the details here). Plan on an hour up and an hour down, at least, with extra time at the top to enjoy the view, have a snack and snap photos.

Off The Map: Look for the “Mill Creek Canyon” sign on Wasatch Boulevard between 3300 and 3900 South. The trailhead is located at South Box Elder Picnic Area on the right-hand side, just past Millcreek Inn. From the parking lot, the trail starts to the west.

Look For: Many varieties of mushrooms and pines. Rub your fingers against pine needles to catch their scent. You’ll be surprised at how many different scents you’ll uncover (citrus was my favorite) and you can make a mental note for Christmas tree preference later this year.

Tips: The trail is sheltered with little sun exposure so it might be chillier than you would expect. Grab an extra jacket, even if it’s warm in the valley. Naturally, bring plenty of water and a snack. If you start your hike in the late afternoon, pack a headlamp or flashlight just in case you lose the race against the sun. And you’ll need $2.25 cash to exit the canyon.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 at 1:30 pm and is filed under Heart to Heart. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.