Salt Lake City

Public Lands Department

publiclands@slcgov.com

North Capitol: West City Creek, Ensign Peak & Hell Canyon

North Capitol:

West City Creek, Ensign Peak, & Hell Canyon

Suggested Outings

The SLC Foothills Rangers have scouted out and mapped a variety of trail excursions for your enjoyment. Free printable maps are linked within each trail description below, as well as digital maps within the AllTrails platform, which is a fee-based platform but has basic information available for free.

Ensign Peak Loop

Ensign Peak Loop: Take the path less traveled and make a loop hike to ascend the most visited peak in the Foothills. From the Ensign Vista Trailhead, head west past the vista mound along the Ensign Fire Road Trail, turn right up the Radio Tower Fire Road, then another right up the West Ensign Switchback Trail. After you summit and take in the views, you can descend the Ensign Peak Trail to the trailhead.

Victory Road to Ensign Peak Switchback Loop

Victory Road to Ensign Peak Switchback Loop: Angels Landing has Walter’s Wiggles. But they don’t have the 44 switchbacks getting you from Victory Road to Ensign Peak! Victory Road is our lowest elevation and western-most trailhead in the system and offers a 1000′ maintained system trail up to Ensign Peak. Talk about getting in your steps! From the Victory Road Trailhead, head up to Lakeview Trail and turn left. After 1/3 of a mile, take the 2ND trail junction up Hell Canyon Trail, which then crosses the fire road and straight into the West Ensign Switchbacks. For your descent, you can return the same way or make a loop using the Ensign Peak Trail, Ensign Fire Road, and shortcut through Sandhurst access trails back to Lakeview and Victory Switchbacks.

Lower City Creek Loop

Lower City Creek Loop: Literally steps from the State Capitol, the Lower City Creek Loop offers 2-3 miles of hiking-only, natural surface trails and non-vehicular paved roads. It is perfect for an outing if you have less than an hour with limitless quick getaway options for exercise or a nature escape. There are various entry and exit access points from Memory Grove, Bonneville Blvd and City Creek trailheads, East Capitol Blvd and A Street.

Lakeview Trail

Lakeview Trail: This out & back trail is a hidden gem. Starting from the Columbus Court trail access (the City has a recreational easement for hikers and bikers to access public land via the sidewalk), this 2-mile trail heads out toward the Great Salt Lake with views of the Oquirrh Mountains to the west while underneath majestic cliffs to the east. The cliffs are habitat for many avian species so this trail is great for birders. Be careful! The end of the trail is the open Staker Parsons mine so pay attention to the signs! Alternatively, bikers can add a bit of challenge and exhilaration by starting and ending this outing at Victory Road Trailhead.

North Capitol 'Grand Tour'

North Capitol Grand Tour: Do you have 2+ hours and want an urban/nature adventure? Start at East Capitol and 500 North and head down Bonneville Blvd (in the inside non-vehicular lane) until you get to the BST West City Creek at the hairpin turn. The BST runs parallel to City Creek Road for a mile before it takes a sharp left turn for a mile of climbing switchbacks and 900′ of elevation gain. The next mile is BST Hell Canyon which is relatively flat. Take a left off the BST onto the Radio Tower Fire Road for a 3/4 mile and take a right down the Hell Canyon Trail. The Hell Canyon Trail runs into Lakeview Trail – take a left – until it leaves the trail at Columbus Court. At this point, you are now on sidewalks down either Columbus or De Soto St and turn left on 500 North to get back to where you started! This hike or ride can be started in multiple other locations or travel the opposite direction depending on your desired experience.

Major Trailheads

Trail Accesses

FTS Trails

  • BST – West City Creek
  • BST – Hell Canyon
  • North City Creek Ridge Fire Road
  • Victory Switchbacks
  • Lakeview Trail
  • Hell Canyon Trail
  • Radio Tower Fire Road
  • Ensign Peak Trail
  • Ensign Fire Road Trail
  • West Ensign Peak Trail

Other Trails

  • Ensign Peak – BST Connector
  • “Tio Bob”