regehr
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There's a great trail connecting Smuggler's Gap -- the 7800' notch in the south ridge of City Creek Canyon that is located a little ways to the east of Little Black Mountain -- with the bottom of City Creek Canyon. Although it doesn't get a ton of use most days, probably because it connects two somewhat out-of-the-way places, this trail is part of the route taken by the Wahsatch Steeplechase, a mountain race held each spring. The loop I'll describe here is a shortened version of the Steeplechase route.
Start at the parking lot below the City Creek Canyon gate house, just above where Bonneville Boulevard makes the hairpin turn. Gain the City Creek south ridge using either the Bonneville Shoreline Trail or the Pipeline Trail. Head east on the trail that follows this ridge, passing just north of the Avenues Twin Peaks, and head towards Little Black Mountain. Once past the twins you won't see very many people until Upper Rotary Park. A typical number of people to see on a weekday is zero.
The steep, loose section of washed out road leading to the summit ridge of Little Black Mountain isn't that fun but the ridge itself is one of my favorite places, it pokes up out of the desert ecosystem into low alpine territory. Just short of the summit there's a section with some exposed class 3 scrambling: you have to descend three short vertical sections. The first one has an easy bypass that I usually take, and the other two could be bypassed on the right with a bit more work, though I've never bothered. Dropping off the summit, the trail continues for a few hundred yards and then drops about 200' to Smuggler's Gap. The ridge continues (sans trail) up to Lookout Peak -- don't follow it. Rather, from the gap, look for a trail descending to the left; there is sometimes a little cairn marking its top.
Once you drop off the ridge the terrain immediately changes from brushy and windswept to quiet pine forest. The first time I hiked this trail in the early 2000s, the lower part was quite overgrown and not easy to follow. Currently, however, it is extremely well maintained and in fact is a real pleasure: although it drops almost 2000' it does so with plenty of switchbacks. This section is over too soon, leaving you at the bottom of City Creek Canyon between the second and third bridges above the end of the road. A short walk takes you to Upper Rotary Park where potable water is available. Here you'll kick yourself for not having stashed a bike (or a friend with a car, on an odd day in summer) since it's 5.6 miles back down to the gate.
Elevation gain/loss is 3500' not including a bit of up and down. I'm not sure about the mileage, probably 13 or 14.
Looking up at Little Black Mountain; Big Black Mountain is at the left with Grandview Peak in the distance.
Looking back at the Avenues Twin Peaks, downtown, and the Oquirrhs.
The scrambly section of ridge with the summit of Little Black Mountain just beyond.
Looking back at one of the short drops.
Looking down at Smuggler's Gap with the ridge continuing beyond. The barely-visible double bump on the skyline in the middle of the photo is Lookout Peak.
The light-colored mountain is Dude Peak over on the north ridge of City Creek Canyon, with Rudy's Flat to the right.
Typical scenery on the Smuggler's Gap trail.
Looking over at Big Black Mountain (Burro Peak on the quads).
The trail isn't marked at the top, but there's no problem finding the bottom.
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Start at the parking lot below the City Creek Canyon gate house, just above where Bonneville Boulevard makes the hairpin turn. Gain the City Creek south ridge using either the Bonneville Shoreline Trail or the Pipeline Trail. Head east on the trail that follows this ridge, passing just north of the Avenues Twin Peaks, and head towards Little Black Mountain. Once past the twins you won't see very many people until Upper Rotary Park. A typical number of people to see on a weekday is zero.
The steep, loose section of washed out road leading to the summit ridge of Little Black Mountain isn't that fun but the ridge itself is one of my favorite places, it pokes up out of the desert ecosystem into low alpine territory. Just short of the summit there's a section with some exposed class 3 scrambling: you have to descend three short vertical sections. The first one has an easy bypass that I usually take, and the other two could be bypassed on the right with a bit more work, though I've never bothered. Dropping off the summit, the trail continues for a few hundred yards and then drops about 200' to Smuggler's Gap. The ridge continues (sans trail) up to Lookout Peak -- don't follow it. Rather, from the gap, look for a trail descending to the left; there is sometimes a little cairn marking its top.
Once you drop off the ridge the terrain immediately changes from brushy and windswept to quiet pine forest. The first time I hiked this trail in the early 2000s, the lower part was quite overgrown and not easy to follow. Currently, however, it is extremely well maintained and in fact is a real pleasure: although it drops almost 2000' it does so with plenty of switchbacks. This section is over too soon, leaving you at the bottom of City Creek Canyon between the second and third bridges above the end of the road. A short walk takes you to Upper Rotary Park where potable water is available. Here you'll kick yourself for not having stashed a bike (or a friend with a car, on an odd day in summer) since it's 5.6 miles back down to the gate.
Elevation gain/loss is 3500' not including a bit of up and down. I'm not sure about the mileage, probably 13 or 14.
Looking up at Little Black Mountain; Big Black Mountain is at the left with Grandview Peak in the distance.
Looking back at the Avenues Twin Peaks, downtown, and the Oquirrhs.
The scrambly section of ridge with the summit of Little Black Mountain just beyond.
Looking back at one of the short drops.
Looking down at Smuggler's Gap with the ridge continuing beyond. The barely-visible double bump on the skyline in the middle of the photo is Lookout Peak.
The light-colored mountain is Dude Peak over on the north ridge of City Creek Canyon, with Rudy's Flat to the right.
Typical scenery on the Smuggler's Gap trail.
Looking over at Big Black Mountain (Burro Peak on the quads).
The trail isn't marked at the top, but there's no problem finding the bottom.
Featured image for home page:
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