View back along the trail, looking east.Wasatch Crest Trail
The Wasatch Crest Trail runs along the ridge between Big Cottonwood Canyon and the Park City area, then descends towards the Salt Lake valley via Mill Creek Canyon. This is a popular, well-maintained, and well-travelled trail. Most riders begin at Guardsman Pass and ride towards Salt Lake, using a shuttle car to return to Guardsman Pass. The trail clears of snow in late June to early July. There's a brutal climb is called "Puke Hill," but the entire trip is strenuous due to altitude. Elevation at the top is 9900 feet.
Riding directions, Classic Crest from Guardsman Pass:
0.0   From parking, find DT (north uphill)
N40 36.409 W111 33.291
0.1   Veer L onto ST (Scott's Bypass)
1.4   Drop to Scott's Pass
N40 36.992 W111 33.511
Straight across, uphill on DT
(L = down to road, R = Shadow Lake)
1.9   Puke Hill N40 37.264 W111 33.731
Go L (R = Pine Cone Ridge)
5.8   The Spine N40 39.354 W111 35.708		5.9   Keep R (L = Desolation Lake)
N40 39.508 W111 35.756
7.7   View on R N40 40.842 W111 36.144
8.3   Keep L (R = Crest Connector)
N40 41.219 W111 36.083
9.2   Keep L (R = Red Pine Rd Trail)
N40 41.029 W111 36.901
11.3 Straight N40 40.685 W111 38.486
(L = Dog Lake, R = Little Water)
13    Parking N40 41.082 W111 38.905
Getting there, Guardsman Pass trailhead: Get to Big Cottonwood Canyon (Wasatch Blvd and 72nd South) and drive up past Solitude Resort (about 15 miles). Just before you reach Brighton, the road to Guardsman Pass turns off on your left. At 0.8 miles, you'll see a red metal gate. Exactly one mile later (1.8 miles from the fork in the road), you'll see a dirt road on the left. GPS N 40° 36.817' W 111° 33.532'. This is option 1. Continue uphill another mile to the parking right at the top of the pass. Find doubletrack on the north side. That's your trail.
Wasatch Crest Trail MapMill Creek trailhead: Get to Foothill Blvd on the east bench of Salt Lake City via I-215. Exit at 39th South. Take 3800 South eastbound into the Canyon. Drive all the way to the top of the canyon. The trail begins on the south end of the Big Water Trailhead parking area GPS N 40° 40.922' W 111° 34.199'. (Note: the gate to upper Mill Creek Canyon is open to cars July 1 to November 1. Mountain bikes are only allowed on upper Mill Creek trails on EVEN numbered days!) There is a $3 per car fee (2009).
Copyright 2002 Mad Scientist Software Inc Updated 2012
Trail conditions change, and the layout of a trail may change without notice. Use this trail guide at your own risk.