Millcreek Canyon (also Mill Creek Canyon) ( Shoshoni: Tempin-Tekkoappah, “rock trap”) is a canyon in the

Wasatch Mountains The Wasatch Range ( ) or Wasatch Mountains is a mountain range in the western United States that runs about from the Utah-Idaho border south to central Utah. It is the western edge of the greater Rocky Mountains, and the eastern edge of the G ...

and part of Millcreek City on the east side of the

Salt Lake Valley Salt Lake Valley is a valley in Salt Lake County, Utah, Salt Lake County in the north-central portion of the U.S. state of Utah. It contains Salt Lake City, Utah, Salt Lake City and many of its suburbs, notably Murray, Utah, Murray, Sandy, Uta ...

Utah Utah is a landlocked state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is one of the Four Corners states, sharing a border with Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. It also borders Wyoming to the northea ...

. It is a popular recreation area both in the summer and in the winter. It was named by Brigham Young on August 22, 1847, before all of the mills that were built in and below the densely forested canyon. It is home to two restaurants and six

Boy Scout A Scout, Boy Scout, Girl Scout or, in some countries, a Pathfinder is a participant in the Scout Movement, usually aged 10–18 years, who engage in learning scoutcraft and outdoor and other special interest activities. Some Scout organizatio ...

Day Camp Day camps also known as summer camps in some areas, are recreational programs designed to provide children with a fun and enriching experience during the summer or school breaks. Unlike residential or overnight camps, day camps operate during day ...

s. Millcreek Canyon is next to Parley's Canyon on the north and

Big Cottonwood Canyon Big Cottonwood Canyon is a canyon in the Wasatch Range southeast of Salt Lake City in the U.S. state of Utah. The -long canyon provides hiking, biking, picnicking, rock-climbing, camping, and fishing in the summer. Its two ski resorts, Bright ...

on the south. Though perhaps the most accessible canyon to Salt Lake City, its upper reaches are much less visited than neighboring canyons.

Recreation

Biking

The upper trails in Millcreek Canyon (those above the winter gate, which is located at the Maple Grove picnic area) are open to biking on even-numbered days only. Bikes are allowed on the lower trails on all days. When riding on the road, bicycles are subject to the same laws as motor vehicles, including signalling before a turn and stopping at stop signs. For more information please consult the website http://RoadRespect.Utah.gov.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed in Millcreek canyon every day. They may be off leash on hiking trails on odd numbered days, but must still be leashed in all developed areas, including the road, trail heads, and picnic areas. On even numbered days dogs must always be leashed in all areas, including all hiking trails. When the ski trail along the road in the upper canyon is groomed it is regulated as a trail and dogs may be off leash there on odd-numbered days. However, when the trail is not being maintained, it is considered a service road, even though it is closed to vehicles, and dogs must be leashed. Dog owners are required to pick up after their dogs. There are receptacles for dog waste in several places in the canyon, including both upper and lower Big Water trailheads.

Hiking

Millcreek Canyon has a variety of trails for hiking. Difficulty ranges from easy (beginner) to difficult (advanced). Popular trails include: * The Pipeline Trail is popular for kids or beginning hikers. It can be accessed from multiple points (Rattlesnake, Church Fork, Burch Hollow and Elbow Fork Trailheads). The least strenuous access points are Elbow Fork and Burch Hollow. This trail is approximately 6.7 miles in length with an elevation gain of 800 feet. * Desolation Trail to Salt Lake Overlook is accessed from the Desolation trailhead located just east of Millcreek Inn on the south side of the canyon. This a moderately strenuous hike that leads to a fantastic view of the Salt Lake Valley. The Overlook Trail is also a popular snowshoe trail in winter. * The Grandeur Peak trail leads to Grandeur Peak (elev. 8299) and is accessed from the Church Fork Picnic area. * The Dog Lake/Big Water trail is accessed from the Big Water trailhead at the top of Millcreek Canyon. This is a moderately difficult trail that is very popular for hikers and mountain bikers. Trail leads to Dog Lake and can also be accessed from the Mill D trailhead in Big Cottonwood Canyon. * The Alexander Basin trail is accessed from the Alexander Basin trailhead, 8 miles up Millcreek Canyon on the south side of the road. In the summer months Alexander Basin can be filled with wildflowers and has views of the Millcreek (north) ridgeline and beyond. Gobblers Knob (10,246) can be reached from Alexander Basin. This is a steep and strenuous hike. * The Mt. Aire Trail located at the confluence of Mill Creek Canyon, Mt. Aire Canyon, and Parley's Canyon. Hiking to the summit of Mt. Aire is a steep 1.8 miles with an elevation gain of almost 2,000 feet. The following elevation chart illustrates the trail’s consistently unrelenting slope.

Access

The top half Millcreek Canyon is closed from November 1 through July 1 to vehicle traffic. A $5.00 fee per vehicle is paid upon leaving Millcreek Canyon. Annual passes are $50.00 Seniors (age 60 and over) are charged only $3 per day, and may purchase an annual pass for $30. The interagency pass available from the National Park Service is not accepted in Millcreek Canyon.

2021 avalanche

On February 6, 2021, an

avalanche An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow down a Grade (slope), slope, such as a hill or mountain. Avalanches can be triggered spontaneously, by factors such as increased precipitation or snowpack weakening, or by external means such as humans, othe ...

occurred in the Wilson Glade area of the canyon, killing four skiers and injuring four others. The surviving skiers were able to dig themselves out of the snow and tried to rescue the other skiers, but to no avail. The canyon was subsequently closed to recreational use until further notice.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Millcreek Canyon (Salt Lake County, Utah) Canyons and gorges of Salt Lake County, Utah Canyons and gorges of Utah Protected areas of Salt Lake County, Utah Wasatch Range Wasatch-Cache National Forest