I decided to don my tennis shoes and hit the City Creek Canyon Trail. My experience at the end of the Freedom trail led me to believe that it would be somewhat difficult, however, that was not the case. Given the sheer length, the narrowness of the path, and the rocky bits, I've gone ahead and left it at a 2 heel rating.
Expecting a mostly arid hike, I was pleasantly surprised that in the areas where small streams or tributaries to the creek ran past the path, were plentiful with greenery, wildlife, and tons of insects.
Yes, bugs. No, I'm not a bug girl, but it's been so long since I've really seen any, that I was so excited to see Dragon Flies the size of humming birds and grasshoppers jumping from one tall grass to another.
I even found myself in the same state of those tourists in Central Park who would get so excited over seeing a squirrel! Three different gray squirrels had crossed my path. It's been so long since I've seen one, that I was literally trying to coax them into posing for a photo. Unlike the Manhattan variety, they hadn't quite learned the benefit of being people friendly. I also saw lizards, heard birds chirping, and even happened upon a wild turkey.
The foliage was amazing. Plants I hadn't seen before, plants I had seen before, there were even apple trees that will produce a full harvest this fall. All along the trail you can hear the creek babbling along, in some parts more loudly than others.
There are two choices for making your way up through the canyon, one is the paved road that hugs the shore of the creek, and the other is a footpath that runs along the rim of the canyon, just above the roadway. If you start on one and decide to switch to the other, no worries. There are 23 rest areas along the road with pathways to both the road and the trail, providing restrooms, drinking water, and picnic tables. The footpath ends just inside 
the watershed area, about 3 miles in. I decided to take the roadway back just to see what I had missed by choosing the other path. My preference: The footpath. Most of the creek is protected by foliage so walking on the road you get few glimpses of the babbling brook, a lot of the same glimpses you get from the height of the footpath. The 6 miles took approximately 2 hours 45 minutes, a leisurely pace with plenty of stops for photos and wildlife -coaxing.
Apparel: Charcoal and yellow Adidas pants, black tank, grey boatneck sweatshirt.
Shoes: New Balance charcoal and yellow running shoes.
Directions: The footpath trail head can only be accessed by car from 11th and B street - on Bonneville Blvd., a one-way street. Park near the Bonneville Shoreline Trailhead. On the West Side of City Creek Canyon road, is a trailhead to the Bonneville Shoreline, which has the markings of a bike path. A ways up the path the two paths split. The "keep it pure" trail continues north while the Bonneville Shoreline Trail cuts off to the left. This portion of the City Creek trail is foot traffic only and no pets, as it belongs to part of the protected watershed.
When I checked my mail this afternoon, the anniversary of 9/11 edition of TIME magazine had arrived. I can't believe it's been 10 years. I remember clearly standing at my parents house in Jersey watching the television, and later seeing smoke rise from the banks of Metuchen. So many were effected then, and I keep crossing paths with so many who are still suffering the repercussions of that day. Therefore, I thought it fitting that today's hike be on the Freedom Trail along City Creek in downtown Salt Lake.
....okay, so maybe I really was looking for the head of the City Creek Trail, but turned down the wrong road....
But I think it was fortuitous that what I found was the Freedom Trail and that it was the beginning of the trail that I intended to hike. The Freedom Trail head is in the North of Memory Park. The trail was created with the intention of giving space and time to reflect on the sacrifices of those who have secured and protected, and gave all for our freedom.
Memory Park is just north of the Church Office Building. Street Parking is limited and that's your only parking option. The Trail has a leash free segment for those who love to bring Fido along, and also as a warning for those who don't appreciate Fido. There are a lot of dogs on this trail.
The doggie zone, as we'll call it, is a very easy walk-in-the-park, if you will. Once the doggie zone ends, things get a little more interesting. The path is obviously worn, but the overgrowth and brush along this later portion suggests that it is not a popular as its preceding yardage. The path is VERY narrow at some points, and drops off down to the gurgling water below. Yes, I was wearing my 4 1/2" red patent peeptoe platform mary janes, and I could do it! I do have to say that I was doing some fancy steppin' on those sections and wasn't sure if I could get down where I had gone up. It would be wise to wear something a little more sensible. The overall trip took me just over an hour.
The path rises and falls, dips and dives, and then suddenly seemed to end. Okay, so it didn't end, I just acknowledged defeat and decided that the sheer cliffside I needed to climb down was better done in tennis shoes. The good news is, where I ended, is where the hike I wanted to be on begins! So more on that tomorrow.
Apparel: Dark Blue Skinny Jeans with White Top Stitching, Army green t-shirt, red Carmel hoodie.
Shoes: 4.5" cherry red peeptoe platform mary janes
Directions: Take North State Street one block and turn right on 2nd Street. Take a quick left onto E 120 Street. Follow to the gates to Memory Park, cross your fingers to find parking. The trail head is at the North end of the park where the trees get dense.
The Freedom Trail is a lovely monument to those who have fought for our freedoms. Remember all those who've sacrificed so much for what we enjoy this weekend as we remember on this Patriot's Day on Sunday.
Also ... shout out to State Fair which opened today --- check out the photography section if you get a chance ... any shots you see that don't really belong in UT, likely belong to me!
Given this is UT, I thought it appropriate that I start at the very beginning. Or at least the symbolic beginning.
Ensign Peak, 1,080 feet above the valley is where Brigham Young stood with others on 26 July 1847 to survey the valley and to begin to make plans for the settlement of this area.
My research beforehand led me to believe that this hike was an easy walk in the park. While the trail is unencumbered and fairly straight forward, they failed to mention the steep incline. I was cautious and put on tennis shoes, and rightly so. The trail is mostly fine dirt and loose gravel making it a bit slick in the dry heat. The views, however are lovely. Hovering over the Capitol Building and seeing the developments beyond, you get a sense of what these men had envisioned so long ago.
Apparel: Yoga pants and t-shirt.
Shoes: New Balance running shoes
For those of you coming from the East ... take your time. The incline literally takes your breath away. On my way down I ran into some mid-westerners who were also having difficulty with the thin air. I'm hoping for myself that I will become acclimated as I hike more at this altitude.
At only 1 mile round trip, the hike is relatively short. I suggest bringing a camera and leaving the water bottle at the car.
Directions: Follow State Street North. Turn right (East) when you reach the Capitol Building and continue going north and more north (East Capitol Boulevard). Follow it up the hill to the north and then turn left onto North Sandrun Road. Follow that road west to the LDS Church house. The trailhead is in the back of the church parking lot, where it abuts Ensign Vista Drive.
I decided to don my tennis shoes and hit the City Creek Canyon Trail. My experience at the end of the Freedom trail led me to believe that it would be somewhat difficult, however, that was not the case. Given the sheer length, the narrowness of the path, and the rocky bits, I've gone ahead and left it at a 2 heel rating.
The foliage was amazing. Plants I hadn't seen before, plants I had seen before, there were even apple trees that will produce a full harvest this fall. All along the trail you can hear the creek babbling along, in some parts more loudly than others.
the watershed area, about 3 miles in. I decided to take the roadway back just to see what I had missed by choosing the other path. My preference: The footpath. Most of the creek is protected by foliage so walking on the road you get few glimpses of the babbling brook, a lot of the same glimpses you get from the height of the footpath. The 6 miles took approximately 2 hours 45 minutes, a leisurely pace with plenty of stops for photos and wildlife -coaxing.
