City Creek Canyon is reached via a one-way road connecting the Avenues neighborhood to the Marmalade Hill neighborhood. From downtown Salt Lake City, go east on South Temple to B Street. Go north up B Street to 11th Avenue. The left (west) on 11th Avenue. It curves and goes north into City Creek Canyon. Where the road curves back to head to the Capitol is a small side road on the right with a few parking spots. Head up this side road to the gate.

After paying the fee, continue up the canyon to its end in about 5.6 miles. The road ends at the trailhead.

From the trailhead, follow the old jeep road as it heads east. It is easy to follow here, and not long (0.4 miles) to the Smuggler Gap trail junction (signed). Stay left on the old jeep road.

The old road crosses the stream several times, all on bridges. It is about 1.25 miles to where Cottonwood Gulch comes in on the left (north) side of the canyon. Cottonwood Gulch was the site of mining activity in the early 1900s, and the Treasure Box mine is located in the gulch. It is easy to miss.

About 0.5 miles up from Cottonwood Gulch is a large weather station in a grassy area. This is the first route finding challenge. The trail crosses the grassy meadow, but can require a bit of hunting to find it on the other side. Continue past the weather station. The trail is generally easy to find and follow, but occasionally crosses grassy areas and requires a keen eye to find.

When the large landslide that makes up the distinctive south slope of Grandview peak is visible, the meadows are near! The meadow is a great lunch and turn around spots.

Advanced Hiker To The Ridge: Continuing up to the ridge past the meadows is challenging. I followed the trail for a short distance past the meadow, then it seemed to disappear in the grass. Bits of trail, and more predominantly game trails, allow for continuing up but there is much bushwhacking involved. Excellent route finding is required. The location of the trail on the USGS map does not seem correct, or the trail has long since been abandoned.

If you work up to the ridge, the Great Western Trail is reached at Hardscrabble Pass. I walked both directions a short distance on the GWT, assuming I would find a sign and better trail heading down into City Creek from above. I did not!

Return the same way.