Name: Murray's Haunted Tales Writers Showcase 2026
Start: 2026-10-22
End: 2026-10-22

The Aerie has been remodeled and is open to serve you. The modern restaurant and lounge, atop The Cliff Lodge on the tenth floor, features a revamped menu offering Modern American Gastropub cuisine. The Aerie has the capacity to welcome 200 guests in the Restaurant, 75 in the Lounge and 100 in private dining rooms.

The Aerie Restaurant & Lounge

The Lodge Bistro is an intimate restaurant serving elegant American cuisine with a French twist along with an impressive selection of wines. Sandwiches, salads, specialty burgers and a great selection of appetizers accompany the extensive beer, wine and liquor menu in The Lounge. Patio dining is available in the summer.

The Lodge Bistro and Lounge

The Cliff Lodge's slope-side restaurant serves gourmet coffees, pastries, breakfast and lunch, year-round. The Atrium offers a continental breakfast, espresso bar and lunch daily throughout the winter season and a breakfast buffet and Sunday brunch in the summer. Enjoy the new custom omelet and Belgian Liège waffle bars from Thu-Sun at breakfast and a delicious pasta bar, Thu-Sun, for lunch. 7 am - 10:30 am, 11 am - 3 pm Mon - Sun.

The Atrium

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

Sales for each season run from early October through mid-April. The Salt Lake Ski Super Pass is your discounted lift ticket to Salt Lake’s four world-class resorts.

Salt Lake Ski Super Pass

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

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 |
| --- | --- |

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

The sun-drenched flavors of Italy infuse the food and complement the mood at this casual-romantic restaurant. Discover a warm friendly atmosphere, great food and an eclectic wine list. Enjoy stunning alpen glow vistas from your dining table. Patio seating is available during the summer.

Wildflower Restaurant and Lounge

Cold drinks during hot Tram laps. Whether you need a quick snack, full-blown meal or just a frosty beer to celebrate the end of a legendary day, The Birdfeeder has got everything you need in the center of all-things Snowbird. Quickly swoop in for fire-grilled favorites like burgers and sandwiches. For Snow-Birds that peck at healthier alternatives, The Birdfeeder also offers a scrumptious vegetarian burger made to order as you choose. The Birdfeeder Menu

The Birdfeeder

Renowned cuisine in a romantic alpine setting. Open from June through September for [Saturday lunch](http://altalodge.com/brunch/index.php?parent=105&subnav=244) and [Sunday Brunch](http://altalodge.com/brunch/index.php?parent=105&subnav=125).

[Weddings](http://altalodge.com/weddings/index.php?parent=93), receptions, [conferences](http://altalodge.com/conferences/index.php?parent=88) and retreats in a beautiful mountain setting.

Alta Lodge Restaurant

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

Writers Showcase: October 15, 20266:00PM at the Murray Museum (4872 S. Poplar Street)This years Haunted Tales theme is The Haunted Mansion; Not all who enter find their way out1st-12th grade students are invited to test their creative writing abilities by writing a frightening tale about an abandoned haunted mansion. Is it a vampire's hideout? A house full of ghostly visitors? Or could it just be old pipes? No one knows for certain. But one thing is certain: not everyone who enters finds their way out... Get your pencils ready because we're just dying to read the tales you conjure for the old mansion!Participants and families are invited to the showcase and awards. Participants are encouraged to read their entry aloud at the showcase. Costumes encouraged!This calendar listing is brought to you by NowPlayingUtah.com, Utah's one-stop, online website for arts and entertainment events, powered by the Utah Cultural Alliance.

Murray's Haunted Tales Writers Showcase 2026

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