State: Utah
Location: Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Length, One-Way: 17.8 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 5760 feet
Maximum Elevation: 9840 feet
Elevation Change: 4080 feet
Best Season: Spring, Summer
Difficulty: Most Difficult
Usage: Moderate
Parking: Fee Charged
Goblin Valley Utah
Trail Information
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 cross the Desolation Trail, which allows for many variations. This trail offers panoramic views of Mill Creek and Big Cottonwood Canyons.
The Desolation Trail is gently sloped or level for a lot of the hike although there are some stretches that are a little steeper. The trails winds through forested as well as open hillsides. In some spots there is no shade at all on the east-facing slopes so if you are hiking in hot summer weather you are going to want to start early.
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.
After snow begins to fall, it is common to see snowshoers and backcountry skiers along the Desolation Trail.
Directions
Via Mill Creek Canyon Road (3800 South Wasatch Blvd.) about 3.2 miles up the canyon to the Box Elder Picnic Area on the south side of the road at the trailhead sign.
