Explore Big Mountain Pass

Salt Lake City, Utah

5.0/5

based on 4 reviews

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Distance

1 miles

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Lindsay Daniels

This easily accessible area has endless reasons to visit including beautiful overlooks, historic hiking and MTB trails nearby, and tons of colors in the fall.

Famous for being the route of the Mormon Pioneers who crossed this pass on their way into the Salt Lake Valley, Big Mountain Pass is also a beautiful area to take in the fall colors. You can access this road (Utah State Route 65) from Emmigration Canyon or Parley's Canyon, the same way you would access Little Dell Reservoir, just keep going. As you drive, take in all of the beautiful fall colors. Before you reach the pass there are a few places to pull out and take it all in where you can get some really great overlooking shots.

There are also many hiking and mountain biking trails along the way if you feel more inclined to get out and explore. The most famous being the Mormon Pioneer Trail and the Great Western Trail that take you to the summit of Big Mountain. There are several spots as you drive up the road to start your adventure along the Mormon Pioneer Trail. With all of those areas being great for viewing the colorful fall leaves up close. Check out this page for more details on options for riding the trails in Big Mountain Pass. To reach the summit of Big Mountain, start at the pass and get ready for amazing views!

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Mountain Biking

Hiking

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Explore Big Mountain Pass Reviews

Explorer

Jackson Smith

Explorer

Explore Big Mountain Pass

01/25/17

If there is a meteor shower, this is the place to go to watch it.

5.0

Carley Prestwich

Explore Big Mountain Pass

10/15/16

Great drive and some nice little trails to explore. We were a little too late for most the leaves, but there were still some gorgeous colors! Only problem is no doggies in this canyon 😕 always a bummer, but enjoyable nonetheless!

5.0

Bryony Richards

Explore Big Mountain Pass

05/21/16

A great place to hike and explore during the day and then to watch the stars at night!

5.0

Liam McNally

Explore Big Mountain Pass

10/01/15

If you need a relaxing afternoon, cruise up big mountain pass...especially in the fall! If you want to be active...there are tons of trails too.

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Kayak at Little Dell Reservoir

Located just 20 minutes from the heart of Salt Lake City, Little Dell Reservoir is the perfect quick getaway for a recreational paddler or angler.The reservoir is surrounded by mountains in Parleys Canyon, just off of Interstate 80 and along Utah State Route 65. The parking and ranger station are located on the north side of the reservoir, and there is a $5 fee for a day. When you enter the par...

Little Mountain in Emigration Canyon

Just off of Highway 80, head up Emigration Canyon Road to the trailhead. There is a large parking area on the opposite side of the road from the trailhead. The parking area comes equipped with a bathroom if you need one. To get started, cross the road and start heading uphill. Keep in mind that the trail is exposed for the majority of the route, so if it's a warm day, remember to a hat, sungl...

Mountain Bike the Genwild/Jeremy Ranch Trails

There are several places to access the trail system and several good places to park on both the Jeremy Ranch side and the Glenwild side. One of my favorite options is to park at the end of Jeremy Road and then take the 24-7 trail into the action. This is also a good way to access the Flying Dog trail. Because of its south faces and lower elevation, this network is a great for early or late seas...

Trail Run or Hike Lambs Canyon

Take I-80 East through Parley's Canyon and get off at the Lambs Canyon Exit. Stay right off the exit and start heading up the canyon. You will follow the road 1.5 miles. You will see the trail head on the right side of the road with a small area to park on the left next to the bathrooms.The trail is pretty gradual but gets slightly steep at some points. After traveling 2 miles to the top of Lam...

Ride the RTS Trail

The RTS trail at Utah's Olympic Park (ski jumping, bobsled, skeleton, and luge), is a fantastic beginner-to-intermediate trail. Since it's a short loop at only 2.6 miles and 366 feet of elevation gain, it's perfect for kids and beginners. Most of the sections are smooth dirt that winds through aspen groves and meadows. The lower trail has a few more rocks - just enough for beginners to test the...

Trail Run Burch Hollow Trail

The Burch Hollow trailhead is about a quarter mile up the Pipeline trail in Millcreek Canyon. After hiking along the switchbacks of the Pipeline trail, you'll see a sharp turn in the trail that leads you up the side of the mountain. This turn can easily be missed so keep a good look out for it. Continue along this relatively steep trail up the Burch Hollow drainage to the mountain ridge line. T...

Explore Big Mountain Pass

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Explore Big Mountain Pass Reviews

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Kayak at Little Dell Reservoir

Little Mountain in Emigration Canyon

Mountain Bike the Genwild/Jeremy Ranch Trails

Trail Run or Hike Lambs Canyon

Ride the RTS Trail

Trail Run Burch Hollow Trail

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