The din of cars and big rigs barreling down Interstate 80 or curving along I-215 stands in stark contrast to the relatively quiet appearance last year of the trail meandering across the hills above them.
The Parleys Pointe trail serves as a key link in the chain of Bonneville Shoreline Trail that, when the new Grandeur Peak connector is completed in November, will stretch from H Rock deep into Mill Creek Canyon. Yet it appeared in the foothills last September with little fanfare. Perhaps that’s why the 4.8-mile path is still mostly unknown. It doesn’t even have an AllTrails listing yet (though it is on Trailforks).
But that doesn’t mean the trail should be overlooked.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Though it's open to bikes, dogs and foot traffic, it's rare to see another user along the numerous switchbacks on the new Parley's Pointe Trail, pictured on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022. The 4.8-mile trail is part of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and winds between the Parley's Trail bike path and the Arcadia trailhead on Lakeline Drive.
It takes some perseverance to get through the opening segments, which include walking along the busy Parleys Trail bike path and a noisy, exposed, roughly paved road. In fact, for nearly the first two miles, it’s a strain to enjoy being in nature with the roar of traffic filling the ears.
Once you hit the 1.8-mile mark, however, the hubbub below fades away and the beauty of the trail and the expansive views of the Salt Lake Valley fill the void. The payoff at the highest point in the hike, about 3.5 miles in, is a panorama that includes downtown, the Great Salt Lake, the Oquirrh Mountains, Draper, Mount Olympus and, of course, the now-silent interstate snaking through it all. And if that view becomes rote, bursts of sunflowers pop up all along the wide but nearly shadeless path.
Trails Utah did much of the heavy lifting to get the Parleys Pointe trail constructed after a private developer donated 290 acres to Salt Lake City in 2019 to clear its path. The nonprofit is seeking donations to pay for planning and environmental reviews that were not covered by grants.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Though it's open to bikes, dogs and foot traffic, it's rare to see another user along the new Parley's Pointe Trail as the Salt Lake City skyline can be seen in the background on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022. The 4.8-mile trail is part of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and winds between the Parley's Trail bike path and the Arcadia trailhead on Lakeline Drive.
Getting there
Remember that bit about perseverance? That includes getting to the trail, too.
The best option would probably be to drop a car at the end of the trail, which is the Arcadia trailhead on Lakeline Drive, and then take another car to the driveway off Foothill Drive that leads to Yesco and Tolero Pharmaceuticals. Parking there also works if you only have one vehicle, but it’ll add another mile of downhill street trekking to the hike.
From the Yesco driveway, head south down the Parleys Trail bike path. About 0.7 miles down, just before the pedestrian overpass, the signed Parleys Pointe trail veers off to the left. Go another 0.2 or so miles down an old paved road until the trail turns left again at another trail marker and, in short order, begins a gradual climb.
The trail comes to a fork 1.5 miles in. Take the right branch. Soon the commotion of the freeway traffic will fade. After another 2 miles of gentle climbing, you’ll reach the highest point of the hike and a rock outcropping from which to take in the views. The remaining mile or so of the hike is all downhill. The trail ends at Lakeline Drive, just south of Carrigan Canyon Drive. Anyone wanting extra mileage can follow Lakeline to its north terminal and pick up the half-mile H Rock to Carrigan Canyon connector trail or just return the way they came.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Mount Olympus dominates the southern view from the new Parley's Pointe Trail as Mike Coleman of Millcreek crests a switchback on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022. The 4.8-mile trail is part of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and winds between the Parley's Trail bike path and the Arcadia trailhead on Lakeline Drive.
TribTrails | Parleys Pointe | The Salt Lake Tribune
Parleys Pointe Trail
Region: Wasatch Front
Destination: Salt Lake Valley views
Distance: 4.8 miles (one-way)
Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes
Elevation Gain: 1,132 feet
Dog Allowed: Yes
Restrooms: No
Biking/horses: Yes
Wheelchair/ e-bike accessible: No
Difficulty: 3
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