North Canyon Trail

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · River/Creek · Wildflowers

This trail is occasionally used by dirt bikes and mountain bikes. It can sometimes be congested. Parking is limited, and locals appreciate it when people don't park near their driveways.

To get there you take Bountiful Boulevard and turn onto Canyon Creek Drive, heading east (uphill). The road is paved up to a gate, which is usually open in the summer time. The dirt road beyond the gate isn't too bad, but it might not be the best road to take in a small car. I would rather just run it. If you drive past the gate, there is a small parking lot at the end of the dirt road where you can park your vehicle and the actual North Canyon Trail begins.

The trail begins in a nice meadow, with beautiful wildflowers in the spring. The trail climbs a little bit and crosses over a few creek beds (can be marshy in the spring and early summer). Then there are a series of switchbacks that lead you above the canyon so that you can then follow the north side of the ridge between City Creek Canyon and North Canyon. Most of this portion of the trail is shaded by large pine trees.

Soon, the trail comes out onto the top of the ridge and follows the ridgeline to Rudy's Flat, a beautiful meadow at about 7,150 feet. Rudy's Flat serves as a junction for three trails: the North Canyon Trail, the Mueller Park Trail, and the North Fork Trail out of City Creek Canyon. There is also a trail that heads east and climbs up to the high mountain ridge above Rudy's Flat.

The area is incredibly green and lush in the spring and early summer, and the fall colors are fantastic. This is also a great snowshoe route in the winter time.