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.
I did it! I made it to Donut Falls in great time, in good weather, and in my 4 inch canvas wedges. There are reasons this is a very popular hike. The tall evergreens intermingled among the aspens fragrant the air in a soothing pine scent, an aroma therapy you can't beat. The rhythm of your feet on a well packed trail compliments the babbling water below, enticing you toward the source.
The incline is gradual making it a nice evening hike. My roundtrip time from trailhead to the falls took about 1 hour 5 minutes, allowing time for photos, waiting for youth groups to clear out of shots, and allowing others to come down the falls before proceeding upwards.
I was successful in hiking up and scaling the falls with dry feet in my wedges, but like many hiking shoe clad patrons, the way down was a bit of a splash. Overall, the hike was rewarding but not horribly demanding. A great hike for families. I've seen some recommending the same for the elderly, while the walk up would fit, getting to la piece de resistance requires climbing down some boulders. So unless grandma is quite flexible, leaving her before the falls might be a bit of a let down.
Apparel: Adidas track pants and John Lennon 1974 Worn Free Hoodie.Shoes: Green camo canvas 4" wedges
Directions: I-215 to exit 6, South on Route 190, turn right into Big Cottonwood Canyon. The road to the trail head is 9 miles up the canyon across from the Mill D trail head [about a 18 minute drive]. There is a huge "Permit Required" sign at the entrance of the road -- note that requirement applies to winter camping. Proceed up the road at 20 mph, through the private driveway area, and onto a graveled road. The gravel road has several potholes that come up suddenly on the way up and are more obvious on the way down. Parking is very limited at the trail head, though on a weekday evening night, there should be ample room. Note that the gate to the trail closes at 10PM so make sure you have enough time to make it up and back so you're not locked in!
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.
An East Coast transplant to this mountainous desert, I am not what you would call a hiker. Until now, my idea of a hike was from the West Village to the upper Upper West Side, in heels of course. Flat and concrete has been my ideal trek.
However, having grown up in the wooded suburbs, I remember long walks through natural landscapes with fondness. Therefore, I invite you on this journey with me, to conquer the desert scape, to see amazing horizon views, and to do so with the inexperienced hiker in mind.
The goal ... to hike all known trails in UT, starting with Salt Lake Valley.
Insane, I know. But so is hiking in heels.
The Rating System:
1 Heel -- Hiking shoes requried
2 Heels -- Tennis Shoes or flats
3 Heels -- 1 inch heel or wedges
4 Heels -- 2 inch heel or wedges
5 Heels -- 3 inch or higher
Just to be clear ... the general terrain is not necessarily suitable for heels. This dry dessert scape lacks the friction for their sleek bottoms, so I don't imagine having a lot of 4-5 heel hikes, but where such exist, you can bet I will be wearing mine.
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.
