Bald Mountain | East Canyon

Hiking Bald Mountain - East Canyon Hiking Bald Mountain

East Canyon

Overview

RATING: Easy/Moderate Hike
MAPS: MOUNTAIN DELL, UT

Sat

Sunny. High near 38, with temperatures falling to around 34 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 1 to 5 mph.

38 | 25

Sun

A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 34. West southwest wind 2 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

34 | 27

Mon

Snow likely before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

25 | 21

Tue

Mostly sunny, with a high near 26.

26 | 15

Wed

Mostly sunny, with a high near 33.

33 | 16

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Late Spring through Fall
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: None

Sat

Sunny. High near 38, with temperatures falling to around 34 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 1 to 5 mph.

38 | 25

Sun

A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 34. West southwest wind 2 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

34 | 27

Mon

Snow likely before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

25 | 21

Tue

Mostly sunny, with a high near 26.

26 | 15

Wed

Mostly sunny, with a high near 33.

33 | 16

View Full Weather Details
Old airplane signal tower

Old airplane signal tower

Part of the Great Western Trail, the hike from Big Mountain Pass to Bald Mountain is a great spring or fall outing. The trail climbs from Big Mountain Pass, then again in one final steeper section up Bald Mountain, but much of the hike is gently rolling along or near ridgetops. Though heavily wooded, the trail passes through many meadows and openings that give great views of the Wasatch Front along the way.

I enjoyed this hike more than its neighbor Big Mountain. The gentler terrain and more close up views of the Wasatch Front made it an excellent afternoon out in my opinion. Spring will find the meadows blossoming with wildflowers, while fall colors on the trees can be spectacular.

Aspens in the late fall along the trail

Aspens in the late fall along the trail

Getting There

From Salt Lake City, travel east about 6 miles on I-80 to exit 134 (East Canyon / Little Dell). From exit 134, travel north on UT-65 for 8.4 miles to Big Mountain Pass, and a large parking area on the east side of the road.

Millcreek and Big Cottonwood ridges from the summit.

Millcreek and Big Cottonwood ridges from the summit.

Route

From the pass, it is essential to make sure you are on the correct trail. You want the path leaving the parking lot on the northeast side. It is an old road that climbs up to a gate, and beyond. It is signed as part of the Great Western Trail.

Once on the correct trail, it climbs steeply, but not too steeply up to near the summit of what is often referred to as Little Big Mountain or South Big Mountain. The remains of an old Airway Signal Tower are visible just off the trail near the summit. Continue along, as the trail begins a series of gentle ups and downs, passing through meadows and aspen groves.

After about 30 minutes, the trail makes a steeper descent, then begins the longest climb up the day up Bald Mountain proper. The trail is heavily wooded as it climbs to the ridge, then opens up with excellent views of the peaks making up Big Cottonwood Canyon and Millcreek Canyon, with the Salt Lake Valley also visible in the distance.

Bald Mountain is the visible summit, with a small rock cairn marking its top. (3.4 miles from the pass to the summit, about 1.5-2 hours one way)

Return the same way.


Maps

Route / 6.85 miles / Elevation Range 7,378 - 7,860 ft.
Printable Maps:

Trailhead

12T 444890mE 4519862mN

N40° 49' 41" W111° 39' 13"

Old Tower

12T 445521mE 4519086mN

N40° 49' 16" W111° 38' 46"

Summit

12T 445276mE 4515917mN

N40° 47' 33" W111° 38' 55"

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