The Best Fall Hikes in Park City

It's definitely the shortest season here in Park City, however Fall offers up the most colorful season of the year. Autumn colors are appearing on the hillsides, and soon the mountains of Park City will be covered in gold. We highly recommend getting on a trail as soon as you can, if you can catch a day in-between the rain and snow. It will defiantly be worth it. Here are a few of our favorite places to take in the mountains of Park City in all her Fall glory.

McLeod Creek Trail
If you want to see a view of the surrounding area, then this all-age friendly trail will be perfect. You can walk or bike this all whole crushed-gravel path over bridges and along the creak (and even connect to the Millennium Trail which runs all the way to Summit Park). It might be best to leave your car at the Farm trailhead and explore the area around McPolin Barn and Matt Knoop Memorial Park, Willow Creek Park (both of which offer playgrounds, restrooms, and picnic areas), and Summit Community Gardens which are all close by.

Iron Canyon Trail
For a quick but moderately steep hike, head up Iron Canyon Trail. The trailhead can be accessed at the end of Iron Mountain Court (exit Hwy 224 on Meadows Drive). This trail provides a wide view of the now colorful ski slopes of Park City Mountain Resort. This hike is roughly 2.25 miles round trip.

Clayton Peak
Guardsman Pass puts on one of the most spectacular fall shows around. Clayton Peak is moderately steep and only 2.5-3 miles round-trip. This trail provides amazing 360 degree views of Deer Creek and the Jordanelle Reservoirs, Brighton Resort, and Mt. Timpanogos. Clayton Peak is accessed from the same parking lot as Bloods Lake. 

Crescent Lift Trail Loops
At the Park City base area you can take any one of the Crescent trail loops, all of varying lengths. Or you can take the Crescent Lift (open through Oct. 22) and take the Crescent Ridge Road to Three Candles and take a right onto Keystone. Once you reach the end of Keystone Trail, the trail breaks into the open meadow of Shadow Lake. You can get back to the Crescent lift by way of the Jupiter Access Road to the Apex trail, which comes back around into Keystone, Three Candles, the Crescent Ridge Road, and then, finally, back to the top of the Crescent lift. While you are at Crescent lift, consider taking the Crescent Ridge Road to Three Candles to Keystone, and then take a left at Apex and follow along the Pioneer Ridge as it turns to Dead Tree. Here you will find an extraordinary panoramic view of the Central Wasatch, including Mount Raymond, Gobbler’s Knob (at the top of Millcreek Canyon), and the backside of Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Silver Lake Trail
This trail to the summit of Bald Mountain cannot be beat. Starting point is at Deer Valley’s Silver Lake Lodge. As you make your way to the 9,346 foot summit you can take in the panoramic views of the Jordanelle Reservoir and the surrounding areas. You can also take the shorter, Sultan Out and Back Trail, which runs along the broad hillside, were you can enjoy the views of aspen groves and grassy meadows. This 2 mile hike is great for all ages.

No matter how or where you do it, just be sure to take the time and enjoy the short but ridiculously sweet season of Fall here in Park City.