This reservoir is a nice little escape!…read more We came on a Friday night and it wasn't busy at all. You do have to pay for parking, so maybe that keeps the crowds away. The beach was very clean, the water looked refreshing (I never actually went in), and there was plenty of parking. If you live close by, it's a great place to cool off during hot summer months.

Such a fun little beach area to relax! Didn't get in the water as we did hear there were some…read moregetting swimmers itch. But it was enjoyable place to relax by water for a few hours. Also, this is important. Didn't see the pay for parking sign till we left, so didn't pay. If i had to pay $15 for an hour, i probably wouldn't give it 5 stars.

4.75 mile hike with incredible views. This hike was a steady incline on the way up and all downhill…read moreon the way back. It took about 2.5 hours and was just over 1200ft in elevation gain. Would recommend early in the morning before it gets too hot!

This has two trailheads, so please note that the pin drop here on Yelp (as of today) is on the…read moreMillcreek Canyon side. If you're looking to hike to Desolation Lake, you can make it there on this trailhead, but it's the loooooong way. For the most direct way to Desolation Lake, you'll want the Beartrap Fork Trail #057, located one canyon to the south in Big Cottonwood Canyon, here: https://www.yelp.com/biz/beartrap-fork-trail-057-salt-lake-city Now that's settled, let's talk about the Desolation Trail. As alluded to above, this is actually quite a long trail that straddles the hump between Millcreek and Big Cottonwood Canyons. Arguably, the most popular section of the hike is here at the Millcreek side, as it delivers hikers a nifty vista after a few miles. First, find the trailhead by going east up Millcreek Canyon. You'll pass the series of Cub Scout and Boy Scout camps on the south side, and come to the Church Fork Picnic area on the north (left) side. Once you pass that, the South Box Elder Picnic Area appears on the south (right) and this is where the trailhead begins. The trailhead hosts a small pit toilet building but there is no available electricity or water, so bring your own before you arrive. There are a few small picnic tables on a first come-first served basis, as well as the Edmund Ellsworth picnic area, which can be reserved ahead of time. Begin the ascent behind the restrooms and you'll see a few signs to begin: first, note that the beginning of the hike is on private property. The Boy Scouts allow the public trail to cross the property, so be nice, and stay on trail. The other sign you see is a mileage indicator which reads: Salt Lake Valley Overlook 2 Thaynes Canyon 3 Porter Fk. Trail 8.5 Mill B North Fk. 9 Bowman Fk. 10.5 Dog Lake 16.5 Desolation Lake 18 Far and away, the most popular hike here is the Salt Lake Valley Overlook. Though marked at 2, it's arguably more like 2.2, making a nice but challenging 4.4 mile round trip activity. This is infinitely doable as an after-work hike in the long days of summer, and even in less illuminated conditions the trail is well worn and can be accomplished on days when you sneak out of the office early. Expect to see lots of traffic those first few miles. Also note that Millcreek Canyon is a popular spot for dog owners, and dogs are allowed on trails and offleash on odd-numbered days of the month. If pups ain't your thing, stick to even-numbered leash days, or skip to the south for the dog-prohibited Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. The Salt Lake Valley Overlook is as far as I've taken the trail from Millcreek. On the other side, I've run around BCC, Dog Lake, and Desolation Lake as a younger fellow and trail is remarkably similar. Expect to find shorter but thick foliage in sunnier, lower elevations. As you rise or find shady sides of the canyon, you can find stands of pine and other evergreens. The flowers light up from early spring and take turns all season; scarlet gilia, lupine, the occasional mountain aster, Indian paintbrush, and many others. The trailhead sits at about 5750ft in elevation. Salt Lake Valley Overlook takes you to just over 7000ft. It's never technical, the trail is almost exclusively dirt (read: dusty in the summer) but it's a constant climb and can get the best of less-than-seasoned hikers. Still, it's a good choice if you have a healthy group. The full Desolation Trail (which, as far as I can tell, ends at Desolation Lake) maps out on paper to be 16 miles, but is listed at 18. The lake itself sits at just over 9200 ft, so you shouldn't be surprised that the Desolation Trail is a constant climb for over 6 miles before calming down and dropping to around 8800ft over the next 7 or so miles, reaching Dog Lake, dropping to around 8300, and then lifting back up over the 9K mark to reach the waters of Desolation. Here again, you're looking at high elevation forest, although never terribly thick, and a lot of shrub and deciduous groves. Pack plenty of water, even if you're just headed to the overlook. Some of it is exposed, and it's a pretty dry hike. Sunblock is a must, because no matter what time of day or season, you're going to pass stretches that are exposed. We're spoiled to have something like this, and all the other great trails, so close to us in SLC. the Salt Lake Valley Overlook is quite the sight, and that's just about 2 miles away. The whole journey -- one I've not completed in a continuous slog, to be clear -- is on my conquer list and a real treat for anyone looking to head for the hills on a summer day.

The lake is beautiful! There are more people than normal on the trail but it is good to see so many…read moreout! This trail is known for snakes. Be careful.

I've come to the trails here quite a few times. What I really enjoy is the sheer variety of trails…read moreavailable. There is something for everyone. If you want to take it easy you can just hike to the lake and bring a little kayak or something. This portion would be doable even by small kids. Then you can take it up a notch by hiking all the way to the water falls. And then there are some offshoot trails which are very difficult. Basically straight up the mountain.

this large trail goes through cottonwood canyon, and the river follows all along the trail. i don't…read morewalk all of it, but took a small walk towards the trail once i parked in sure the trail is long, beautiful and great experience to have in Utah. i loved just the views alone

Close to SLC, and it's A great little trail to punish your preteens - on five gold stars!!read more

The hike from Silver Lake to Twin Lakes is one of our favorites in the Wasatch Mountains! It's…read moreespecially outstanding in the autumn with the spectacular fall colors, but it's also fun in the winter before the Solitude Nordic Center opens. Although Silver Lake is often a zoo, fewer people venture to Twin Lakes, so it's a great escape from the crowds. Remember your Ten Essentials and then get outside and go for an adventure!

I hiked this trail in the fall and it was beautiful! The trail starts at Silver Lake, which was…read morevery picturesque (although more of a swamp than a lake when I was there). There were multiple photo shoots going on, in addition to a few mooses just off the path. Although I would put myself in the "not very fit" category, I do hike often. I found this hike to be very difficult on my back due to the steepness (but I've had several spinal surgeries, so maybe that's not a typical person's experience here). The hike is 2.3 miles with a 757 foot elevation gain, and I'd say that elevation takes place over just 1.5 miles. The trail can also get quite rocky, so I would highly recommend a hiking pole if you have back, ankle, or knee issues. This trail wasn't busy at all when I visited (late Friday afternoon) and definitely had a huge WOW factor at the top. I explored some of the trails along the lakes and could not find a way that led all the way around. Give yourself enough time to sit and annoy the beautiful scenery and see if you can spot any pikas on the rocks. I'd definitely highly recommend giving this trail a try!

This waterfall is only about 150 feet off Highway 190. There is plenty of parking across the…read morestreet. The trail is relatively easy but plenty of roots and rocks. You only need to walk for about five minutes to enjoy the falls. You will know when you are getting close as thee is an old mine shaft next to the falls. It is spooky and open for anyone brave enough to go in. Lots of hiking at trailhead nearby, but if only up for a quick walk, this is the spot.

Absolutely beautiful little pond. Lots of birds (mostly seagulls when I went) flying around and…read morechilling in the lake. Park benches and little barbecues all around the pond. Nice trees and native plants/grasses, quite beautiful in the fall. Great, well-maintained half dirt half paved path around the pond was not at all muddy on a sort of rainy day. A few nice spacious, clean, and shiny metal piers for fishing. Would be a nice place to spend hours fishing... if it weren't for the noise from the gun range nearby. Gunshots almost constantly going off and doing their best to ruin what should be a serene, peaceful place. Also much of the path that is away from the gun range unfortunately runs close to the highway. If you aren't triggered by gunshots and you're nearby, definitely recommend a visit.

Wonderful place with wonderful locals! Could be a little better kept as some people don't know how…read moreto clean after themselves.

We have hiked to Lake Solitude many times from Silver Lake and enjoyed this short hike through…read moreaspens, towering pines, and wildflowers. Although Lake Solitude isn't as impressive as the nearby Twin Lakes, Lake Mary, or Lake Catherine, it's a beautiful scenic hike nonetheless. Of course, it's especially outstanding when the fall colors are changing, and the aspens are brilliantly golden.

You actually have plenty of hiking options when you leave from this trailhead, so this Yelp page…read moreserves as sort of a homepage for them; a launching off place, if you will. A choose your own adventure. The trail begins near Silver Lake, which shares the parking lot with the Solitude Nordic Center. This place is packed with folks most of the time, especially on weekends. But if you venture around the lake to the north, you'll find the launching off spot. You can do as some people do, and head up to the namesake Lake Solitude. You'll climb up some 300 feet to the small-ish lake and it's about 3.5 miles round trip. Most people, however, opt to take the southern loop and head up to Twin Lakes Reservoir. That's nearly 800 feet of elevation gain in about 2.5 miles round trip. From either destination you have a multitude of other options, as trails and 4x4 roads criss-cross this ski hill, though none are as cut and dry as these two lakes, with distinct destination end points. You could also hike north and eventually pop out at Solitude Resort. Although it's not quite a backcountry excursion, what with the ski lifts and big dam, well-marked trails, and dirt roads in view a good chunk of the time, this trailhead does afford access to some quick little excursions when you don't have a ton of time but need to get into the pines and aspens near 9000ft.