Hike to Kennecott Copper Mine
4 Miles
Photography, Snowshoeing, Hiking
Intermediate
Year Round
Out-and-Back
When the road closes on Nov. 1st, time to hike or snowshoe up. Distance: about 2 miles, 4 RT (depending on how far you drive in). Amazing views of Tooele valley, Mount Timpanogos, Salt Lake Valley, Utah Lake and the Wasatch range. Breathtaking views of the worlds largest copper mine.
From Salt Lake City go on UT-201W, then take Bacchus Highway all the way until the intersection with Butterfield Canyon Road. This is where you can park your car and follow the dirt road for roughly 2 miles until you come to a fork. One road from the fork leads to Middle Canyon and the other to the Copper Pit Overlook. We kept to the RIGHT on the road to the copper pit overlook. The road is a bit tricky but fun.
It can be really windy at the overlook, with winds in excess of 25mph (it even knocked down my sturdy tripod). The sunset provided some amazing photo opportunities as well as the nighttime skies. The copper mine is so huge that it can also seen by astronauts in the space shuttle as they pass over the US.
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations.
