Name: Dog Lake Mountain Bike Ride: Great Western Trail to Big Water Trail
Address: Mill Creek Canyon Road, Salt Lake City, UT, 84109

All photos by Outdoor Project Contributor, Brant Hansen

| **Pros:** Views, fast, beautiful **Cons:**Busy **Congestion:** Moderate **Preferable Season(s):** Summer, Fall **Day-Use/Parking Pass Required:** General Day Use Fee ($3.00) **Dogs allowed?:** Yes | **Total Distance:** 6.00 mi (9.66 km) **Terrain Difficulty:** GREEN **Trailhead Elev.:** 7,645 ft (2,330 m) **Net Elev. Gain:** 1,157 ft (353 m) **Trail Uses:** Hiking, Biking **Trail type:** There-and-back |
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The Dog Lake mountain bike ride usually begins at the Great Western Trail trailhead in Mill Creek Canyon. The lake itself is picturesque and surrounded by a massive aspen grove. Dogs are allowed on the trail and up to the lake, but they must be leashed on even numbered dates. Likewise, bikes are only allowed on the upper Mill Creek Canyon trails on even days. The biggest benefit of Dog Lake is the epic scenery. You’ll get stunning mountain views and broad vistas. You’ll ride through thickly wooded forests filled with aspens, cottonwood, and towering pines.

Dog Lake Mountain Bike Ride: Great Western Trail to Big Water Trail

Salt Lake is where mountain adventure meets city amenities. The towering Wasatch Mountains embrace the Salt Lake Valley and provide a dramatic backdrop to our vibrant, active, urban environment. Hike to dramatic waterfalls or alpine lakes, then refresh with award-winning cuisine. Explore the Great Salt Lake, then rock the night away to music that suits your specific tastes -- whether that's jazz, pop, symphony, or anything in-between. Race down snow covered slopes and then apres with local craft brews. How you spend your time in Salt Lake is as unique as you.

Visit Salt Lake

Salt Lake is the place where the Wasatch mountain peaks frame city streets. Sure, Salt Lake's famed for our winter powder ([four legendary ski resorts](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/skiing-snowboarding/) just 30 minutes from downtown), but that's just one season's story. Summer brings families [hiking through wildflower meadows](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/) before cooling off at a Jazz game or the Gateway fountains. Autumn paints our mountain canyons in gold, perfect for morning strolls that end at local coffee shops. Spring? That's when you might spot baby bison on Antelope Island before heading to the Eccles Theater for a Broadway show. Our soaring Wasatch Mountains rise dramatically from downtown Salt Lake, creating a place where every day offers both natural wonders and urban energy. And while we sit perfectly between the [national parks](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/state-national-parks/) with Yellowstone's geysers and Utah's red rock country, the real magic happens right here, where everyone can [discover the history](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/plan-your-visit/about-salt-lake/) of the city as they find their own rhythm between mountain adventure and city life.

Sports Salt Lake

All photos by Outdoor Project Contributor, Brant Hansen

| **Pros:** Huge vistas. Shady. Cool in summer. Fast. **Cons:** Busy. **Congestion:** Moderate **Preferable Season(s):** Summer, Fall **Day-Use/Parking Pass Required:** General Day Use Fee ($3.00) **Dogs allowed?:** No | **Total Distance:** 6.00 mi (9.66 km) **Terrain Difficulty:** GREEN **Trailhead Elev.:** 8,239 ft (2,511 m) **Net Elev. Gain:** 1,271 ft (387 m) **Trail Uses:** Hiking, Biking **Trail type:** There-and-back |
| --- | --- |

This trail gives you a pleasant and incredibly scenic climb through 3.5 miles of aspen groves, sprawling meadows, and thick pine forests. All this eventually leads you to Desolation Lake itself, a picturesque high-altitude lake. It’s the perfect, tranquil resting spot. From there, it’s a short climb up to the Wasatch Crest Trail that joins in just below the Spine. If you choose to ride to Desolation Lake as an out-and-back, you’re in for a fast and flowy descent. The trail twists and dives, throwing you through the same forests you just climbed through.

Desolation Lake Mountain Bike Ride

This moderate out-and-back hike is popular, and for good reason. Takes you up a well-shaded trail to a beautiful small lake from the Millcreek Canyon side of the mountain.

This is an excellent medium difficulty hike that will appeal to most levels of hikers. Beautiful views, trees that shade most of the trail, and a small but picnic-worthy lake at the top all contribute to one of the most pleasant hikes in Millcreek Canyon. While the 1,300+ feet in elevation gain is not insignificant, the trail is never overly steep. The lake can also be accessed via the Big Cottonwood Canyon side of the mountain, but the Millcreek side is the only one of the two trails that allows dogs. Dog Lake itself is in the middle of a forested part of the mountain.

**Local's recommendation:** An excellent spring, summer, or fall hike. Dogs are allowed; they must be kept on-leash on even days, and can be off-leash on odd days.

**Difficulty:** Moderate - based on overall elevation gain

**Highest point:** 8793 ft

**Lowest point:** 7474 ft

**Best time of year:** Spring, Summer, Fall

**Safety information:** Mountain bikes are also allowed on this trail on even days, so if hiking, watch for bikes on the trail. As with any trail in the foothills, watch for rattlesnakes, especially in summer months. Wear closed-toed shoes when hiking, be aware of your surroundings, and always look carefully before placing hands or feet. Be sure to stay hydrated - even with the shade cover on the trail, it can get very warm.

**Roadbook**

From the parking lot at the top of Millcreek Canyon, take the Little Big Water Trailhead up the mountain, and follow the signs for Dog Lake.

- Start point - Lower Big Water Trailhead, Mill Creek Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84109 - 0 mi
- Lowest point, 7474 ft - 0 mi
- Highest point, 8793 ft - 3.8 mi
- Dog Lake - Destination - 6.9 mi

**How to Get There**

**Public transport:** Bus routes do not travel up to this trailhead - best access is by car.

**Parking:** There is a small parking lot at the trailhead, and parking on the road. If parking on the road is required, there is a trail that parallels the road on the south side that joins up with the trailhead.

Dog Lake via Big Water Trail

Located up Big Cottonwood canyon, this trail is a great opportunity to get out on your snowshoes. If you're not looking to go too far, you can also bring a tube or sled and enjoy the hills at the trailhead.

Lake Desolation Mill D North Trail

A steep but rewarding out-and-back peak hike with incredible vistas.

This is a mild to moderately trafficked steep hike to a gorgeous overview. The first two-thirds of the trail have excellent shade, following a stream up the mountainside for a good portion of it. In just under two miles from trailhead to the peak, the elevation gain is nearly 2,000 feet, so this is considered a difficult trail. In the late summer, the wildflowers along the trail are spectacular, and the views from the saddle and the peak are well worth the steepness.

**Local's recommendation:** An excellent spring, summer, or fall hike. Dogs are allowed; they must be kept on-leash on even days, and can be off-leash on odd days.

**Details**

**Difficulty:** Difficult - steep with high elevation gain

**Highest point:** 8609 ft

**Lowest point:** 6647 ft

**Best time of year:** Spring, Summer, and Fall

**Safety information:** As with any trail in the foothills, watch for rattlesnakes, especially in summer months. Wear closed-toed shoes when hiking, be aware of your surroundings, and always look carefully before placing hands or feet. Be sure to stay hydrated - even with the shade cover on the lower half of the trail, it can get very warm.

**Roadbook**

From the trailhead at Elbow Fork, follow the signs up the trail. There are very few branching trails on the first half of the trail, but when there are, stay on the northern-most branch. At the saddle, take the trail that heads north and east up the peak.

- Mount Aire TrailHead, Mill Creek Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84109 - 0 mi
- Lowest point, 6647 ft - 0 mi
- Highest point, 8609 ft - 2 mi
- Mount Aire - 3.8 mi

**How to Get There**

**Public transport:** Bus routes do not travel up to this trail head - best access is by car.

**Parking:** There is parking just off the road, near the Mount Aire trailhead at Elbow Fork. Be aware that there is a $5.00 fee when exiting Millcreek Canyon.

Mount Aire Trail

1.75 mi/2.8 km one-way — The Elbow Fork trailhead starts 6.4 miles up Millcreek Canyon on the south side of the road, about 200 feet past a sharp turn. Start walking at the footbridge and proceed through a short series of steep switchbacks to reach an excellent view area. The trail then continues with a gradual ascent and crosses a ridge before descending to the Terraces Picnic Area. With a change in elevation of only 430 feet, this trail is great for families. Situated on the north-facing slope, the trail is shaded, making it a perfect choice for summer hikes.

Elbow Fork to Terrace Picnic Area

One of the best hikes for families with children - a great nature walk. Short, not too steep, and with a beautiful pay off at the end in the form of an unusual waterfall.

Donut Falls Trail

Hyatt Centric Park City is your true slopeside base camp in Canyons Village—offering ski-in/ski-out access and the new 10-passenger Sunrise Gondola just steps away for fast, easy access from first chair to last run.

Only about 35 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport, it’s the easiest way to turn a Salt Lake stay into a mountain getaway—walk to village shops, dining, and après, then hop on our nightly shuttle to Historic Main Street.

Stay your way in modern guestrooms or spacious 1–4 bedroom residences (plus a 5-bedroom townhome), many featuring full kitchens and in-unit laundry—ideal for families, friends, and longer stays. Après starts here with a heated outdoor pool year-round, two outdoor hot tubs, and a sauna and steam room, plus on-site ski valet and convenient ski & snowboard rentals steps from the slopes.

Dine at [EPC: Escala Provisions Company](https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-centric/en-US/slcpc-hyatt-centric-park-city/dining/escala-provisions-company) for locally inspired fare and craft cocktails or plan your next gathering with [Meetings & Events](https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-centric/en-US/slcpc-hyatt-centric-park-city/meetings) featuring 10,000+ sq. ft. of flexible space.

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Hyatt Centric Park City

America's largest ski resort with world-class lodging, gourmet dining, unparalleled terrain for skiing and boarding, scenic gondola rides, breath-taking hikes, zip-line adventure, an expansive array of mountain bike trails and live concerts. Experience a conference retreat with activities and scenery right outside your door.

Park City Mountain

Utah Olympic Park offers year-round adventure. From learning about the Park's unique Olympic heritage on a guided tour to taking a ride of a lifetime on the Comet Bobsled Ride, the Olympic Park offers activities for all ages and abilities. Zip, climb, slide, hike and explore Olympic history!

Included in these Attractions Passes:

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Utah Olympic Park

The Pool House is a stylish rooftop setting with stunning views of the mountains, the only rooftop lounge in Canyons Village, and an all-day menu of classic American mountain fare, local beers and creative custom cocktails. Whether you’re poolside in the summer or fireside in the winter, The Pool House is a year-round perch featuring the very best of Pendry.

The Pool House Bar & Grille

[Solitude Mountain Resort](https://solitudemountain.com/) has something to offer skiers and riders of all abilities with an average of 500” of annual snowfall, 1,200 acres of incredible terrain, 77 named runs, three bowls, a [Nordic Center](https://solitudemountain.com/winter-activities/nordic-skiing-nordic-center), Snowsports Academy, [snowshoeing](https://solitudemountain.com/winter-activities/snowshoeing-other-activities) as well as some of the most impressive off-piste terrain in the country.  
  
[Solitude Mountain Spa](https://www.solitudemountain.com/mountain-and-village/spa) Our intimate, four-room spa offers a serene and personalized experience, perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation. With 15 diverse service offerings, including massages, facials, and body treatments, there's something for everyone. We also feature seasonal holiday specials to enhance your celebration, as well as tailored bridal packages designed to pamper and prepare you for your special day. Whether you're seeking tranquility or preparing for a big event, our spa provides a soothing retreat for all.

Included in the Salt Lake Ski Super Pass

[Learn more about the Super Pass](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/skiing-snowboarding/super-pass/)

Dog Lake Mountain Bike Ride: Great Western Trail to Big Water Trail

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