Ten Hikes to do with your Teen this Fall in Salt Lake County
Salt Lake is a special place to enjoy the fall weather. In just 25 minutes you can be away from the hustle and bustle of downtown and find yourself in the serene reds, oranges, yellows of the Wasatch. Fall is the perfect time to get into the outdoors, so grab some hot chocolate or apple cider and s’mores and check out some of the Girl & Her Backpack team’s favorite fall hikes in Salt Lake County to try with your teen.
WILLOW HEIGHTS
Located in Big Cottonwood Canyon, just shy of Brighton Mountain Resort, Willow Heights is one of the Girl & Her Backpack team’s absolute favorites. Willow Heights is a 2.8 miles roundtrip that winds through Aspens and leads to a small but beautiful lake. It is a gradual uphill on your way up, but you won’t even think about it as the colors capture your heart every step of the way.
Click here to view the trail on AllTrails.
LAKE MARY AND LAKE CATHERINE
While this hike is great to do year round, it is a perfect way to get up to the top of the canyon to see the colors changing. The Lake Mary and Lake Catherine hike is a 4.4 mile out and back trek that is moderately trafficked. If you're feeling up to the challenge once you get up to Lake Catherine, there is an option to hike to the top of Sunset Peak. While on this hike you might even see a moose or two!
Click here to view the trail on AllTrails.
DONUT FALLS
Donut Falls is a hike to take in the early fall— if we get an early snow, the waterfall at the end can freeze quickly! Donuts Falls is a family fun hike that is only 3.1 miles roundtrip with an easy trail to follow and beautiful views along the way. As you follow the trail, you can see the canyon change colors around you. Parking is located near Mill D Trailhead in Big Cottonwood Canyon. This hike is a popular one amongst SLC locals, so make sure to plan accordingly!
Click here to view the trail on AllTrails.
QUARRY TRAIL
While this trail is longer than usual (roughly 8 miles), you’ll see just as much beauty regardless of if you finish all 8 miles or cut the hike short. Located at the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon, you will be in awe from beginning to end along this path during the fall season. Be cautious of bikers who share the path and enjoy the sound of the rushing stream running alongside the trail.
Click here to view the trail on AllTrails.
BELLS CANYON
Bells Canyon Trail to Lower Falls is 4.6 miles round trip. The hardest part of the hike is the elevation gain in the last mile of the trail. The falls are beautiful with a great view into the canyon. Be sure to bring a sweater when you’re near the water as it will make the air feel a little chilly.
Click here to view the trail on AllTrails.
NEFF’S CANYON
If you are looking for a harder hike, you can trek the 6 mile loop up the canyon to the top to a beautiful meadow or you can bring your doggo and play around in the colorful leaves that fall along the 1.3 mile loop in the Canyon. It’s another great spot for a family hike to bring snacks and have a weekend picnic.
Click here to view the trail on AllTrails.
ENSIGN PEAK
Ensign Peak--the sweetest escape out of the city, even though you hardly left downtown. Look north behind our beautiful State Capitol to find this trailhead. Ensign Peak is a short but sweet hike to get your blood flowing and beautiful views at the top. This hike has one of the best, most accessible views of the Great Salt Lake and valley. Be sure to time it to catch a sunset while you’re up there.
Click here to view the trail on AllTrails.
FERGUSON CANYON OVERLOOK
This hike is certainly for the more experienced hiking duo with lots of creek crossing and more steep terrain but the overlook is absolutely stunning. If you are willing to put in the work, the fall colors are beautiful and the meadow at the top gives a great view of the whole valley. The biggest drawback of this hike is the parking. Ferguson Canyon is located in a neighborhood with limited parking. There are a couple of options for this hike, you can start up the service road, past the water tank and down the trail, from there you follow the trail along the stream and can continue until you hit the waterfall. This is a great place to turn around and would bring you to about 3 miles roundtrip. Another great option is to continue past the waterfall and follow the stream and cross a couple of creeks to get to the Upper Meadow.
Click here to view the trail on AllTrails.
CECRET LAKE
This not so secret hike is always a favorite at any time of the year. In Summer, the wildflowers are blooming left and right and in the fall, the leaves are brilliant shades of yellows and oranges from the aspens in the Canyon. This hike is found in Little Cottonwood Canyon at Alta Ski Resort in the Albion Basin area. If the parking area at the top is full they will make you park in the lower lot which adds another couple of miles. Cecret Lake is a 1.7 mile hike from the top parking lot and 4.8 from Albion Basin.
Click here to view the trail on AllTrails.
TWIN LAKES TRAIL
Last but not least on my list of hikes to try is Twin Lakes. This trail features a blend of pines, aspens and a beautiful lake at the top. This trail is a 2.3 mile hike in Big Cottonwood Canyon that begins near Silver Lake and climbs through the Aspens up to the lake. Don’t forget to look for the moose!
Click here to view the trail on AllTrails.
I don’t know about you but we are ready for the sun to set earlier, the heat to fade, and colorful hikes with family and friends—a beautiful fall is just around the corner!