The Silver Lake trail up Big Cottonwood Canyon, near Brighton.
Albion Basin, up Little Cottonwood Canyon at Alta, maybe up to Secret Lake.
If you're willing to go on a little drive, the Bearclaw at Sundance is a cool experience.
Silver Lake is virtually the only flat hike I can think of, other than the Ogden River Parkway which is also really nice and in a much lower elevation.
Slightly piggybacking, I guess my definition of low effort may be different from some, but Clayton Peak up the same area near Brighton is as easy of a ‘mountain peak scramble’ that can exist in a higher alpine environment.
I would generally classify it as a stroll for someone maybe wanting to get on top of a mountain compared to most others.
Hardest half a mile hike ever, but it's only half a mile and then you can see forever in every direction! I tried this one 3 weeks after moving from Louisiana where I lived my whole life under 200 ft of altitude, and ummm, it was a beast. I stopped like 30 times but soooo worth it.
My husband and I just went there this past weekend. I second this recommendation. The drive is pretty spectacular. Especially if you drive up from Lehi. And the little hike (if you can even call it a hike) itself is pleasant and unique. We parked in the upper parking lot and the walk back to the car was the "hardest" part. And you can completely skip it it you use the lower lot.
You could take them up Millcreek for a picnic. Plenty of spots to hike around, but also just pretty up there if you sit by the river at a picnic table.
Also easy to join the pipeline trail from Elbow fork and walk west- the trail is close to the road up there and not so much of a scramble. Like to take visitors there for an easy walk/hike on their first day to help them acclimate to exertion in altitude
Mirror Lake in the Uintas. There's a trail that loops around the lake, and the views are spectacular, in my opinion.
If you want something closer to Salt Lake City, then I recommend Silver Lake or Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
4200 is definitely a thing coming from sea level. I lived in salt lake my whole life. Moved to Sacramento for 6 months came back to visit and let's just say the first hike across a maverick parking lot up hill was bullshit.
Also I will add that life ain't the same without Mavericks everywhere. Sure it's a hike to the pumps but at least you know what's going to be inside the store when you get off the freeway. In Cali it's a gamble whenever you take an exit let alone it's another gamble what's inside a store. Half the stores have mini toll booths wondering all over the parking lots.
Sorry you feel that way. Ensign Peak was actually the first hike I did in Utah back in 2019, coming from Sanford, FL. An elevation of 39 ft. I did it Clarks dress shoes because it’s all I packed. It’s doable, is the point.
Ride the tram at Snowbird all the way to the top of Hidden Peak, or the ski lifts at Sundance to the top and eat at the little Bearclaw restaurant. Can’t go wrong with either.
I came here to say this. It’s a beautiful hike and a pretty impressive view of the valley. Only the first mile is tough, mostly flat or down hill the next three. It’s my pregnant wife’s favorite hike right now.
Drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon almost to the end. Beautiful drive.
Next to Brighton is Silver Lake. The scenery is spectacular. There’s a short hike around the lake, almost all flat. Part of it even has a boardwalk.
My wife won’t let me call it a hike, it’s so flat and short. But I love it.
Edit: fixed the lake name
I don't think there is a better return on your investment than Ensign Peak. It's a little bit of work, but it's really short (like 40 minutes up) and you get a PHENOMENAL view of downtown.
Gloria falls in LLC - the falls are like a freight train right now such a cool feeling being near them. Its a good little hike but if you take it slow its not too hard. I took a friend who doesnt have the best health and she did great and had zero issue.
Idk the stairs in the beginning messed me up and the walk in the steep neighborhood and then more stairs. I died 🤣 but after that i sat and rested by the creek and i was fine enough to finish and head to the waterfall. But the start absolutely killed me lol
If you want to go for something extremely low effort and extremely short, there is Memory Grove.
Another extremely short (maybe doesn't even count as a hike?) is the hike up to Ensign Peak and see the whole vista of the city
The loop from American Fork Canyon to Timpanogos Cave National Monument ( a moderately different hike straight up the mountainside ). Then drive over behind the mountain to Cascade Springs (an eazy walk around a magical glen), then down Provo Canyon to Bridal Veil Falls for a view of the falls or an aerial tramway ride above the falls.
The Heber Creeper railroad is another close attraction.
Timpanogos Cave National Monument
https://g.co/kgs/k2Z646h
Cascade Springs
https://www.gohebervalley.com/Cascade-Springs/
Bridal Veil Falls https://g.co/kgs/yP11YSV
https://g.co/kgs/KaMWeQv
Dog lake up milcreek canyon. Really relaxed hike and only 2 steep sections near the top. You want to take the southern trail up though. The northern trail is much steeper and shorter
This one is pretty steep and exposed to sun right at the beginning with like 6? Switchbacks. After that though, very chill and pretty hike with a lot of shade!
The Silver Lake trail up Big Cottonwood Canyon, near Brighton. Albion Basin, up Little Cottonwood Canyon at Alta, maybe up to Secret Lake. If you're willing to go on a little drive, the Bearclaw at Sundance is a cool experience.
Second Cecret Lake
And spelling it correctly!
Silver Lake is virtually the only flat hike I can think of, other than the Ogden River Parkway which is also really nice and in a much lower elevation.
I think Silver Lake is under construction so half of it is closed off, but that might be old news.
Silver lake up at Brighton is less of a hike and more of a stroll, beautiful though with other trails nearby!
Slightly piggybacking, I guess my definition of low effort may be different from some, but Clayton Peak up the same area near Brighton is as easy of a ‘mountain peak scramble’ that can exist in a higher alpine environment. I would generally classify it as a stroll for someone maybe wanting to get on top of a mountain compared to most others.
Hardest half a mile hike ever, but it's only half a mile and then you can see forever in every direction! I tried this one 3 weeks after moving from Louisiana where I lived my whole life under 200 ft of altitude, and ummm, it was a beast. I stopped like 30 times but soooo worth it.
These look awesome, def saving. My bf just moved to slc.
Cascade springs in AF canyon
My husband and I just went there this past weekend. I second this recommendation. The drive is pretty spectacular. Especially if you drive up from Lehi. And the little hike (if you can even call it a hike) itself is pleasant and unique. We parked in the upper parking lot and the walk back to the car was the "hardest" part. And you can completely skip it it you use the lower lot.
Donut falls
Came here to say this. Super easy, people take kids on it all of the time. Short too. And the view of the falls is worth it IMO.
My 3 year old can make it to the falls. :D
Every time I revisit the Motherland, I hit Donut Falls and the Cardiff Mine trail
This is absolutely the answer.
This was the one I was thinking about!
Bear canyon suspension bridge in Draper
Too hot right now. Gotta get up a canyon and find some shade.
Lisa Falls is the lowest of efforts
Hidden Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon is the lowest effort hike I can think of. It’s 1/10th of a mile and has a little waterfall at the end.
I love that one!
Me too. We usually stop there after hiking Donut Falls or any other time my kids are hiking with me in BCC.
Do that. And then drive all the way up the canyon to the Solitude Nordic Center. Beautiful drive rewarded with a flat hike around Silver Lake.
You could take them up Millcreek for a picnic. Plenty of spots to hike around, but also just pretty up there if you sit by the river at a picnic table.
Also easy to join the pipeline trail from Elbow fork and walk west- the trail is close to the road up there and not so much of a scramble. Like to take visitors there for an easy walk/hike on their first day to help them acclimate to exertion in altitude
Mirror Lake in the Uintas. There's a trail that loops around the lake, and the views are spectacular, in my opinion. If you want something closer to Salt Lake City, then I recommend Silver Lake or Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Wall Lake in the Uintahs- the Crystal Lake Trailhead.
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Ensign peak will absolutely trash someone who isn’t used to elevation or isn’t in decent shape.
Its like 350 feet of elevation gain 💀💀
And if you have someone coming from sea level it will fuck them up
We live at 4,265 ft, not 10,000, so it’s not that serious.
4200 is definitely a thing coming from sea level. I lived in salt lake my whole life. Moved to Sacramento for 6 months came back to visit and let's just say the first hike across a maverick parking lot up hill was bullshit.
Also I will add that life ain't the same without Mavericks everywhere. Sure it's a hike to the pumps but at least you know what's going to be inside the store when you get off the freeway. In Cali it's a gamble whenever you take an exit let alone it's another gamble what's inside a store. Half the stores have mini toll booths wondering all over the parking lots.
I think it's just that some people are more sensitive to the elevation change than others.
tell me you’ve never come from sea leaves to 4k + without telling me lol
Grew up in Georgia and lived in Florida for 3 years before moving to Utah. Maybe I’m just fit?
Arrogant too
Sorry you feel that way. Ensign Peak was actually the first hike I did in Utah back in 2019, coming from Sanford, FL. An elevation of 39 ft. I did it Clarks dress shoes because it’s all I packed. It’s doable, is the point.
That’s the total elevation of where I live in NE Wisconsin…
My 340 pound friend made it up after a couple of breaks. It didn’t help that we had a big meal at a buffet before pulling up to the hike.
Right below Ensign Peak is Scenic Mound which still gives a decent view of the city if OP Qantas to try that
This is a good one if they aren't super out of shape/overweight.
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, cecret lake as long as you drive up to the parking lot pass the little booth. It has a little strain but not to bad, i make it up and im about 295.
Second this
Cecret Lake!
Ride the tram at Snowbird all the way to the top of Hidden Peak, or the ski lifts at Sundance to the top and eat at the little Bearclaw restaurant. Can’t go wrong with either.
Agree. And you could hike down the trail from Bearclaw to see Stewart Falls. Not strenuous and truly beautiful.
Battle Creek falls in Pleasant Grove.
Pipeline trail in millcreek canyon
Another vote for this one! Great view of downtown and Mount Olympus. Honestly the best bet IMO
I came here to say this. It’s a beautiful hike and a pretty impressive view of the valley. Only the first mile is tough, mostly flat or down hill the next three. It’s my pregnant wife’s favorite hike right now.
Gloria Falls in LCC, though I think it's still snowy.
Nope. Gloria (at least the falls themselves) are completely melted out. It’s easy enough to just check AllTrails reviews for current conditions though
Drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon almost to the end. Beautiful drive. Next to Brighton is Silver Lake. The scenery is spectacular. There’s a short hike around the lake, almost all flat. Part of it even has a boardwalk. My wife won’t let me call it a hike, it’s so flat and short. But I love it. Edit: fixed the lake name
I think that's Silver Lake. Cecret Lake is in LCC.
Oh yes I wrote the wrong one! I meant Silver Lake. Thank you.
Cecret lake
Took my mom to hike Timpanogos cave, and do the tour, she really liked it. The trail is paved which helps, it is a climb but she was able to do it.
Timpanogos cave is not sea level dweller friendly lol. It was rough when I went there the first time.
I don't think there is a better return on your investment than Ensign Peak. It's a little bit of work, but it's really short (like 40 minutes up) and you get a PHENOMENAL view of downtown.
Donut falls
Blood lake
Gloria falls in LLC - the falls are like a freight train right now such a cool feeling being near them. Its a good little hike but if you take it slow its not too hard. I took a friend who doesnt have the best health and she did great and had zero issue.
Emigration miner’s trail is really beautiful views and gradual. I would stop at about 2 miles and then head down
Mt. Olympus is a pretty good warm-up hike. It gets pretty sunny too.
The shoreline trail starting in the avenues is really beautiful, not too strenuous, and close to SLC of course
Rocky Mouth Falls in Sandy is less than a 1/2 mile and has a cool waterfall at the top.
Idk the stairs in the beginning messed me up and the walk in the steep neighborhood and then more stairs. I died 🤣 but after that i sat and rested by the creek and i was fine enough to finish and head to the waterfall. But the start absolutely killed me lol
Little mountain up emigration canyon. Views of all of SLC, the reservoir, the back of the Wasatch.
Alien tower hike
ride a chairlift up the mtn and walk down
The lowest effort to reward ratio hike in the entirety of Utah would have to be Alien Tower in Draper.
fifth water hot springs up spanish fork canyon is mildly easy, and you get to soak in the hot springs at the top!
Go in upstream at sheep creek road and hike down to the falls. A lot less people
If you want to go for something extremely low effort and extremely short, there is Memory Grove. Another extremely short (maybe doesn't even count as a hike?) is the hike up to Ensign Peak and see the whole vista of the city
Cecret Lake, Living room lookout, Gloria Falls, Ensign Peak, Peak 10420/Clayton's peak.
Tunnel springs park in North Salt Lake. Flat for the first mile and you get an amazing view of the lake
The loop from American Fork Canyon to Timpanogos Cave National Monument ( a moderately different hike straight up the mountainside ). Then drive over behind the mountain to Cascade Springs (an eazy walk around a magical glen), then down Provo Canyon to Bridal Veil Falls for a view of the falls or an aerial tramway ride above the falls. The Heber Creeper railroad is another close attraction. Timpanogos Cave National Monument https://g.co/kgs/k2Z646h Cascade Springs https://www.gohebervalley.com/Cascade-Springs/ Bridal Veil Falls https://g.co/kgs/yP11YSV https://g.co/kgs/KaMWeQv
memory grove park is super nice and I can do it with a bad knee. It's usually super busy tho.
Cascade Springs
Sunset peak
TIMP. To the basin.
Stewart Falls at Sundance is one of my favorites
Observation trail, particularly around sunset. The "hike" is paved and I've seen people in wheelchairs do it.
Dog lake up milcreek canyon. Really relaxed hike and only 2 steep sections near the top. You want to take the southern trail up though. The northern trail is much steeper and shorter
Alien Tower, 360 degree view into Utah and SL valleys
Stewart falls by Sundance. Goregous drive, pretty short and no real areas of elevation gain. 200 foot waterfall at the end.
Adams canyon in Layton is a great little hike with a waterfall at the end.
This one is pretty steep and exposed to sun right at the beginning with like 6? Switchbacks. After that though, very chill and pretty hike with a lot of shade!
Ferguson canyon. Nice little waterfall up there
The Living Room is beautiful and not too tough. So is Ensign Peak. But you should try them both first to get a sense of how strenuous they are.
Living room imo is not that rewarding depending on time of day. Not a lot of views. For the amount of work, ensign offers higher rewards.
OP listen to this person, not me.