Related:
Spas
A pup’s gotta run, especially
in summer. My English springer
spaniel, Roscoe, considers the vast
open spaces that surround Salt
Lake City and Park City, Utah,
his own private exercise grounds.
Here are our three favorite destinations.
Beaver Creek Trail
Near the western edge of the Uinta
Mountains, this route offers a
stream to splash in and acre after
acre of mountainside to roam.
Towering pine and fir trees add to
the ambience.
LENGTH: 8 miles one way.
LEASHES: Not required, but keep
your dog under control and watch
out for sections of barbed-wire
fence along the way.
DIRECTIONS: From Kamas, 11 miles
east of Park City via State 248,
take the Mirror Lake Hwy. (State
150) east 6 miles to the trailhead
parking area.
CONTACT: Kamas Ranger District
(435/783-4338).
Donner-Reed/Mormon Trail
Trees, sweet-smelling sagebrush—
what’s a dog not to like? This
aspen-lined National Historic Trail
dates to 1847, when the Mormon
pioneers first reached the Salt Lake
Valley. Your dog won’t appreciate
East Canyon’s rich history, but
you certainly will.
LENGTH: The trail stretches for
miles, but dogs are allowed only
on the first 4 miles of the hike due
to restrictions in the Salt Lake
watershed.
LEASHES: Recommended but not
required.
DIRECTIONS: From the Jeremy
Ranch exit (143) on I-80, turn
north and drive under the interstate
to the four-way stop. Turn
left, go about 200 yards, and take
your first right onto Jeremy Rd.,
which leads about 1 mile through
a subdivision to the mouth of East
Canyon. Dirt-covered East Canyon
Rd. runs 4 miles to Mormon Flat
and the trailhead. From the parking
area, cross the footbridge over
East Canyon Creek to the trail.
CONTACT: Public Lands Information
Center (801/466-6411).
The Pipeline Trail
Mill Creek Canyon offers a potpourri
of dog-friendly trails; the
Pipeline Trail is a top pick because
of its level path and great views
down the craggy canyon. The 0.5-
mile-long connector trail up Rattlesnake
Gulch is steep in places,
but once on the Pipeline Trail, you
can head west to a nice overlook
of the Salt Lake Valley or venture
east, deeper into the canyon.
LENGTH: 5.5 miles one way.
LEASHES: Mandatory on evennumbered
days; optional on oddnumbered
days.
DIRECTIONS: From Salt Lake City,
head south on I-215; exit at 3300
South and proceed south on
Wasatch Blvd. to 3800 South.
Turn left onto Mill Creek Canyon;
the trailhead is 11/2 miles up the
road on the left side.
CONTACT: Public Lands Information
Center (801/466-6411).
