Lackawaxen Lake Trail

Clayton Peak is approximately 1.5 miles from Guardsman Pass (3 miles round trip), and you'll gain about 1,600 feet of climbing.  There is parking on top of the pass, but it fills up quickly with hikers and mountain bikers during peak season as this serves as the trailhead for Bloods Lake, Jupiter Peak, and Crest Trail.  From the parking lot, head south on the trail following the ridge. You'll s...

This trail is just outside of Big Cottonwood Canyon which forbids both dogs and swimming due to the Salt Lake watershed. As a result, dogs and swimming are more than welcome. Blood Lake and Lackawaxen Lake Trailhead can be reached by driving up Big Cottonwood approximately 15 miles until the turnoff to Park City and Guardsman Pass. Turn left onto this road and continue another three miles to ...

There are two popular starting points from Guardsman Road. The lower trail climbs and the higher one trail descends, then they converge at Scott's Pass below Puke Hill. The shuttled ride ends with a pavement rush down Mill Creek Canyon (and a possible detour onto Mill Creek Pipeline on the way down). But there are two favorite "classic" starting points: (1) Go all the way to the Guardsman Pass ...

Starting at an elevation of 8,960 feet at Empire Pass, the trail follows the ridge to the west. It starts off on a gravel road, but quickly turns into a single-track trail once you pass the buried water tank. For the most part, you will stay on the ridge and have great views of Clayton Peak, Deer Creek Reservoir, and Park City, but for a short time Empire Pass Ridge trail drops into the trees n...

If you want to escape the crowds and get in some nice powder, then a hike up Guardsman Pass is well worth the effort. To reach the trail, park on the side streets just below the gates to avoid the no parking signs and keep your tires just on the road to avoid getting stuck.When you pack up your gear, try to keep the layers in your pack so you don't get too hot on the hike up. Once on your way u...

Since this is a loop you can start at either end, but this is the way we did it. Start driving up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Enjoy the views and take in the impressive peaks on either side of the road. See the changes in vegetation as you gain elevation in the canyon. As you near the top and pass Solitude Ski Area, there will be a small road on your left. This is Guardsman Pass road. Take this road...