Hikes of Salt Lake City
December 2025
Apart from its religious proclivities, Utah is probably best known for its outdoor activities. We squeezed in as much hiking as we could during a busy week. The first two pictures are from the City Creek Canyon Trail, which is a remarkably isolated walk despite the trailhead being an eight-minute drive from Temple Square. The city quickly disappears, though the roar of jets from Delta’s nearby hub provides a constant acoustic backdrop.
We undertook a much more majestic (and difficult) hike the next day on nearby Antelope Island. The Frary Peak Trail was a wonderful challenge. Its seven miles and 2,400 feet of elevation gain provided fantastic views of the Great Salt Lake and its valley. Along the way, we met herds of bison and Bighorn sheep.
Within minutes of downtown Salt Lake City, the city’s concrete dissolves into wind-scoured desert hillscapes. If Temple Square asserts rigidity and permanence, the surrounding trails offer space to wander and disappear.
Recipe: Classic Cuban Negative
Utah Photosets:
Salt Lake City
Hikes
Museums
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