Mining Fork Trail - Salt Lake City, UT

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Mining Fork Trail


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Mining Fork Trail starts from the end of the Mining Fork Road which is strictly a 4-wheel drive road. This trail gives access to South Willow Lake.

This trail is a relatively short easy hike if you start from the end of the Mining Fork Road. However, the Mining Fork Road is strictly a 4-wheel drive road. If guests don't have a 4-wheel drive vehicle then drive up South Willow Canyon Road about a mile past the Guard Station and park at the Medina Flat trailhead. Take the Big Hollow Trail heading north to the junction of Mining Fork Road, about 1/4 mile and turn west. This will add about 2 1/2 miles to the hike but it will take guests through some stands of fir, spruce, and aspen. Where the road meets the trailhead the area opens into a bowl and in the spring is covered with wildflowers. The trail passes through the bowl and rises to meet South Willow Lake at the base of 1,000 foot cliffs.

Hawks are plentiful and visitors might even see a golden eagle or mountain lion. Be prepared for rattlesnakes and ticks are sometimes a problem. The lake is rather shallow so there are no fish. Be sure to take enough drinking water. Visitors may want to consider a different route back for an extended hike.

This moderately difficult 1.2 mile trail gains 1,200 feet in elevation and receives infrequent use. It takes about 45 minutes to complete this trail one way.