Great Hikes Near Salt Lake City

A new Falcon guidebook describes details 42 hikes with a short distance from Salt Lake City. Titled Best Hikes Near Salt Lake City, the book was written by Lori J. Lee, a Utah native who has written three previous Utah guidebooks and has been published in national, regional and local magazines.

The Falcon website has details about the book, along with links to where you can buy it from online retailers. The website provides this overview:

Here are forty-two of the best hikes, nearly all of them within an hour’s drive of Salt Lake City, Utah—from Deseret Peak to Waterfall Canyon. The hikes offer unbeatable views, waterfalls, mountain lakes, and fields of wildflowers. Whether you’re in the mood for an easy nature walk or a day-long hike, this guide offers plenty to choose from:

• Deseret Peak – Highest peak in the Stansbury Range
• Frary Peak – Highest peak on Antelope Island
• Brighton Lakes Tour – World-class wildflower displays
• Ferguson Canyon – The lesser known canyon
• Mount Timpanogos – The beloved trail of the Wasatch
• Diamond Fork Hot Springs – Natural hot springs

Each hike features full-color photos; a brief route description; thorough directions to the trailhead (GPS coordinates included); a detailed, full-color trail map; and at-a-glance information on distance and difficulty level, hiking time, canine compatibility, and fees and permits. Inside you’ll also find a Trail Finder that categorizes each hike (e.g., for attractions such as best hikes for peak baggers, best view hikes, best easy access hikes, best hikes for dogs, best hikes for children, and best hikes for waterfalls); Green Tips; and information about local lore, points of interest, and the area’s array of wildlife.

The Deseret News has this review of the book. Below are excerpts.

The book includes local favorites such as the Timpanogos summit hike and Adams Canyon in Davis County, but also more overlooked yet wonderful hikes such as Ferguson Canyon in the Cottonwood Heights neighborhood.

Several pages, including photos, are dedicated to each hike and comes with an overview of the hike, logistics and strategy, hazards, season optimal hiking, and the route to get there. Also, each hike is rated on a scale of 1 to 5 for physical and psychological challenges.

Read the complete review.