Recreation Region: Salt Lake Ranger District

Desolation Trail #159

Elevation gain of 4,080 feet. Major destinations include Salt Lake overlook, Mt. Raymond, Gobblers Knob and Desolation Lake. Trail junctions include Green Basin, Porter Fork, Mill B North Fork, Mill A Ridge, Bowman Fork, Butler Fork, Big Water, Mill D North Fork and Great Western Trail. The Desolation Trail runs east and west from Thayne Canyon in Mill Creek Canyon to Desolation Lake in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The trail continually offers a variety of terrain depending on which section of the trail you are on. There are many trails that access the Desolation Trail allowing for many different hikes. There are sections of the Desolation Trail that enter into the Mount Olympus Wilderness. Other sections are available for mountain biking as well as hikers and horses. Sections of the Desolation Trail that are in Big Cottonwood Canyon are in Salt Lake City watershed. Watershed restrictions apply and are enforced when you cross the ridge into Big Cottonwood Canyon. It is not uncommon to see snakes on this trail. During the spring and fall, snakes tend to be out during the daytime when the sun is out. During the heat of summer, snakes hang out in the mornings and evenings when it's cooler. Snakes are easy to avoid if you are cautious and watch out for them.

Specific Trail Information

Trail Number

159

Trail Type

Standard/Terra Trail — A trail that has a surface consisting predominantly of the ground and that is designed and managed to accommodate use on that surface.

General Information

Trail Length: 17.6 miles

$ 5.00 / car. Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation employees collect the fee as you exit the canyon. Annual passes are available through Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation by calling (801) 483-5473, or you can purchase one as you exit the canyon.

Trail enters designated wilderness, special regulations apply! Watershed restrictions apply and are strictly enforced when you cross the ridge into Big Cottonwood Canyon. Dogs: Dogs are restricted from the groomed ski trail on ODD numbered calendar days during the winter. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all trail heads and developed sites including parking lots. Please pick up after your dog, your Canyon appreciates it! Other trails for dogs. Bikes: Big Water, Little Water, and the Great Western Trail are CLOSED to mountain bikes on ODD numbered calendar days.