Name: A Brief History of Park City Mills by Donovan Symonds and Sandra Morrison
Start: 2026-11-18
End: 2026-11-18

The Mountain Dell courses, 16 miles east of downtown at an altitude of 6,000 ft above sea level, offer breathtaking views and frequent glimpses of wildlife such as moose, deer, elk, eagles, hawks, badgers, squirrels, and an occasional cougar. The Lake Course features narrow, rolling fairways and tee shots over ravines and water.

**Course Amenities:**

Driving Range

Retail Proshop

Rental pull carts

Cafe

Practice greens, chipping area

Motorized rental cars

Handicap Cart - provide 24 hour notice

Certified PGA Instructors

**Course Stats:**

| Tee | Par | Rating | Slope | Yardage |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Black - Men | 71 | 72.2 | 129 | 6745 |
| Blue - Men | 71 | 69.7 | 125 | 6049 |
| White - Men | 71 | 66.2 | 117 | 5463 |
| White - Women | 71 | 69.3 | 123 | 5463 |
| Gold - Women | 71 | 66.1 | 111 | 5066 |

[Course Scorecard](http://www.slc-golf.com/sites/www.slc-golf.com/files/MDLscorecard.pdf)

Mountain Dell Golf Course

Short, easy hike with beautiful canyon views and access to other trails.

A moderate to heavily trafficked hike in the trees with a few beautiful canyon views. Many other options to lengthen the hike exist here, including the Salt Lake Overlook, Thaynes Canyon Peak, and access to other trails that branch off through Millcreek, this hike is a great way to warm up and see what hiking is about in this fantastic area.

**Local's recommendation:** An excellent 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:** Easy

**Highest point:** 6467 ft

**Lowest point:** 5748 ft

**Best time of year:** Year round

**Safety information:** Bring comfortable hiking shoes, plenty of water, and extra snacks. There are mildly steep parts, so a walking pole is helpful.

**Roadbook**

From the parking lot, take the Desolation Trail and stay to the left on the Thaynes Canyon trail. At 0.6 mile, there is a trail sign with a branch to the right for Desolation - go right on that trail. It will loop around and back down to the trailhead.

- Thaynes Canyon Trailhead, Salt Lake City, UT 84109 - 0 mi
- Photo - 0.3 mi
- Highest point, 6260 ft - 0.6 mi
- Lowest point, 5745 ft - 1.6 mi
- Loop - 1.6 mi

**How to Get There**

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

**Parking:** Parking is available for free near the trailhead. Be aware that there is a $5.00 fee when exiting Millcreek Canyon.

Thaynes Canyon Loop

A beautiful out-and-back hike through varied mountain terrain to the top of one of the many peaks looking down on the Salt Lake valley.

This trail has many fantastic attributes: for the first part of the hike, it follows a small stream up the mountain with plenty of shade, it has great views looking down into Millcreek Canyon, and finally, the peak looks out over the Salt Lake Valley. The hike will get your heart racing for sure, with a consistently steep, well-packed trail. Although it is moderately difficult due to distance and steepness, it is perhaps one of the easiest peak ascents overlooking Salt Lake. There are two main trails to get to Grandeur Peak; the West Trail is shorter but considerably steeper and has less shade cover.

**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:** Moderate - based on elevation gain

**Highest point:** Grandeur Peak, 8294 ft

**Lowest point:** 5686 ft

**Best time of year:** Spring, Summer, or 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 Church Fork Picnic Area, follow the road up the mountain to the Grandeur Peak trailhead. Follow this trail to where the Pipeline Trail crosses the Grandeur Peak trail. Follow the sign to turn on the correct trail for Grandeur Peak. As you get closer to the top, stay on the trail that takes you west towards the peak.

- Start point - Church Fork Picnic Area, 5802 Mill Creek Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84109 - 0 mi
- Lowest point, 1,733 m - 0.1 mi
- Grandeur Peak, 2,529 m - highest point - 3.3 mi
- Grandeur Peak - Destination - 6.6 mi

**How to Get There**

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

**Parking:** There is some limited, but free parking at the trailhead. Parking at the Church Fork Picnic Area is reserved for those using the picnic area. There is also free parking on the canyon road, but will require about 1/2 mile extra hiking to get to the trailhead through the picnic area. Be aware that there is a $5.00 fee when exiting Millcreek Canyon

Grandeur Peak from the East Trail via Church Fork

Longer hike with beautiful canyon and city views. Easier and family-friendly with little altitude change.

A moderate to heavily trafficked hike on the popular Pipeline Trail with beautiful canyon views. The first mile (and last, as this is an out-and-back trail) are well shaded, but the rest is in the sun, so bring a hat and sunscreen, as well as plenty of water. The trail follows the canyon for many miles in both directions from the trailhead, and it follows it a few hundred feet up on the north slope of the canyon - but it is largely a flat trail with little elevation change. Views are spectacular all along the trail and particularly at the overlook, which takes in the Salt Lake Valley.

**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:** Easy

**Highest point:** 6037 ft

**Lowest point:** 5699 ft

**Best time of year:** Spring, Summer, 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 aware of bikes - this is also a popular trail for mountain bikers and they are allowed on the trail year-round.

**Roadbook**

From the Church Fork Picnic Area, follow the road up the mountain to the Grandeur Peak trailhead. Follow this trail to where the Pipeline Trail crosses the Grandeur Peak trail. Turn left on the Rattlesnake Gulch section of the trail, and follow it to the Pipeline Overlook.

- Church Fork Picnic Area, 5802 Mill Creek Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84109 - 0 mi
- Pipeline Overlook - 3.5 mi
- Highest point, 6033 ft - 4.3 mi
- Lowest point, 5699 ft - 7.1 mi
- Pipeline Overlook - 7.1 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 some limited, but free parking at the trailhead. Parking at the Church Fork Picnic Area is reserved for those using the picnic area. There is also free parking on the canyon road. Be aware that there is a $5.00 fee when exiting Millcreek Canyon.

Pipeline Trail - Church Creek to Pipeline Overlook

**This is a great trail in Mill Creek Canyon. There are lots of switchbacks but nothing too steep or technical.**

This trail in Millcreek Canyon climbs to an overview of the Salt Lake Valley and offers a spectacular sunset vista of the Great Salt Lake. Enter Millcreek Canyon from 3900 South. The trail begins just east of the Millcreek Inn Restaurant, .75 miles from the bottom of the canyon. A sign indicating the trailhead is just a few yards south of a clearly visible restroom. This trail climbs 1,250 feet on long gradual switchbacks. Take your time and enjoy the scenery along the way.

**Local's tip:** Take Wasatch Boulevard to 3800 South. Follow 3800 South east into the canyon (fee area). Millcreek Canyon is full of hiking, mountain-biking, cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing, and birdwatching opportunities. Some of the birds you can see include, but aren't limited to, the Northern Pygmy-Owl, Northern Saw-Whet Owl, Flammulated Owl, and Great Horned Owl. Millcreek Canyon is also the site of Log Haven Restaurant, Elbow Fork Picnic Area, and the Millcreek Inn events venue.  
The trail ends at the Salt Lake Overlook where you can enjoy great views of the of the Salt Lake valley.

Salt Lake Overlook/Desolation Trail

Voted "Best Canyon," "Best Restaurant," and "Hall of Fame." Historic mountain retreat minutes from downtown. Pines, waterfalls, wildflowers, warm fires. Patio dining. Rated Top 50 Romantic in USA. Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, DiRoNA, AAA 4-Diamond.

Log Haven

An easy hike that can get you up to some beautiful high up views quickly, and also can get you access to other interesting and less trafficked trails.

This is a beautiful moderately-trafficked hike that is family-friendly, and because it starts pretty high up in Emigration Canyon will allow you access to a smaller peak without having to climb too much. There are beautiful views of Emigration and Parley's Canyon as well as Little Dell Reservoir. In the summer you can see beautiful wild flowers, but it's also a decent winter trail - depending on snow conditions, you can snow shoe it or even just walk it.

**Local's recommendation:** A great trail for a casual afternoon hike - not too challenging with a great view.

**Details**

**Difficulty:** Easy

**Highest point:** 6818 ft

**Lowest point:** 4193 ft

**Best time of year:** Jan - Dec (year round)

**Safety information:** There are some mildly steep parts - if you're here in the winter, you may want YakTrax. Be sure to wear sunscreen and a hat as there is no shade cover. 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.

**Roadbook**

Park in the dirt parking lot at the top of Emigration Canyon on the south side of the road. Cross the road to the north, where you will see a metal gate and a trail going up the side of the hill. The trail is easy to follow past that point.

- Start point - Little Mountain Summit, 588 Emigration Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 - 0 mi
- Highest point, 6818 ft - 1.6 mi
- Lowest point, 6237 ft - 3.2 mi
- Little Mountain - Destination - 3.2 mi

**How to Get There**

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

**Parking:** There is plenty of free parking at the trailhead.

Little Mountain Trail

From exit 295 on I-15 go east about 5 miles to the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Continue east up the canyon 4.5 miles. Park in the Tanner’s Flat campground parking lot south of the road.Birds you can see—Black-chinned, Calliope, and Rufous Hummingbirds; Hammond’s and Dusky Flycatchers; Clark’s Nutcracker; Stellar’s Jay; Swainson’s Thrush; Tree, Violet-green, and Cliff Swallows; Pine Grosbeak; Red Crossbill; Cassin’s Finch; Black Rosy-finch.

Little Cottonwood Canyon

Take Wasatch Boulevard to 3800 South. Follow 3800 South east into the canyon (fee area). Millcreek Canyon is full of hiking, mountain-biking, cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing, and birdwatching opportunities.

#### Hiking and Mountain Biking

Many beautiful trails start in the canyon.

#### Cross Country Skiing

The canyon road gate closes on November 1st. Once there is enough snow the road is groomed for skiing at least once a week. Fat bikes can ride the groomed trail but need to stay off the classic ski track.

#### Birdwatching

Some of the birds you can see include, but aren't limited to, the Northern Pygmy-Owl, Northern Saw-Whet Owl, Flammulated Owl, and Great Horned Owl. Millcreek Canyon is also the site of [Log Haven Restaurant](http://www.visitsaltlake.com/skicity/dining/log-haven/),[Elbow Fork Picnic Area](http://www.visitsaltlake.com/listings/Elbow-Fork-to-Terrace-Picnic-Area/55101/2697/), and the Millcreek Inn events venue.

Millcreek Canyon

All photos by Outdoor Project Contributor, Brant Hansen

| **Pros:** Shady. Views. Long season. Easy access. **Cons:** Busy. Flat. **Congestion:** Moderate **Preferable Season(s):** Spring, Summer, Fall **Day-Use/Parking Pass Required:** General Day Use Fee ($3.00) **Dogs allowed?:** Yes | **Total Distance:** 14.00 mi (22.53 km) **Terrain Difficulty:** GREEN **Trailhead Elev.:** 5,345 ft (1,629 m) **Net Elev. Gain:** 1,309 ft (399 m) **Trail Uses:** Hiking, Biking **Trail type:** There-and-back |
| --- | --- |

The Mill Creek Pipeline ride is a Salt Lake City mountain biking favorite due to its easy accessibility, long riding season, and beautiful views. It climbs up Mill Creek Canyon, running on the hillside above the road. It’s southern exposure helps it stay dry early in the spring and late into the fall, and it is even rideable in parts of the winter. Likewise, the trail is very well shaded; the trees even create a tunnel effect in places, which makes it a nice option for hot summer days. When there is a break in the trees, you are rewarded with gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains and the Salt Lake Valley below. In general, the trail is relatively flat with a few good climbs and descents in the middle.

Mill Creek Pipeline Mountain Bike Trail via Rattlesnake Gluch

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

Park City Museum and Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History will host a lecture called A Brief History of Park City Mills given by Donovan Symonds and Sandra Morrison on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 from 5-6 p.m. held at the Education and Collections Center located at 2079 Sidewinder Drive. More information can be found at www.parkcityhistory.org.The story of Park City's silver mines is also the story of its mills. As miners followed rich ore deeper underground, they encountered new geological challenges that required increasingly sophisticated methods of recovering silver. This presentation provides a brief history of Park City's principal mills before focusing on the Silver King Mill, one of the district's most significant ore-processing plants.Using historical photographs, maps, diagrams, and the remains of the mill itself, we explore how changing ore types transformed milling technology—from early roasting, gravity concentration and mercury amalgamation to the adoption of froth flotation. The Silver King Mill serves as a window into the ingenuity of the engineers and miners who helped make Park City one of America's great silver-producing districts, and whose legacy can still be seen in the landscape today.Donovan is a retired mining consultant. He received his mining education in England at the Universities of Newcastle and Nottingham. He worked in the mining industries in Canada and the US and consulted on mining projects in over twenty countries. He moved to Park City in 1977. Donovan is a Park City Museum docent and helped start the Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History Lecture Series.When Sandra Morrison arrived in Park City in November 1983, it was snowing. The snow continued to fall for 40 days straight, which she assumed was normal for a ski resort town. Sandra purchased a Park City Ski Area season pass and thus began a life-long passion for skiing. However, Sandra didn’t just plummet into the deep powder, she also stumbled across Park City's rich past at the historic Silver King mine. Fast-forward to 2023: Sandra spent two years crawling through, documenting, and photographing every remaining surface structure and feature of the legendary mine, crafting the nomination that secured its spot on the National Register of Historic Places. This presentation shares her results—minus the intervening 40-years of skiing.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.

A Brief History of Park City Mills by Donovan Symonds and Sandra Morrison

Business Type

Has Promotions Available

Special Features