Big Cottonwood Canyon is on the east side of the Salt Lake City Valley. Get there by taking I-215 to the east, taking exit 6 off the interstate and heading east.

Follow 6200 South which becomes Wasatch Blvd for 1.8 miles to the stop light and signs for Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Turn left at the light and reset your odometer.

Drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon. The trailhead is at 8.9 miles, where there is a large parking area on each side of the road. Park on the right side of the road. There is a toilet here and gated road (open in the summer) that heads south to the Jordan Pines Campground and Forest Service Donut Falls Trailhead.

It is 0.8 miles down the road to the south to the Forest Service Trailhead. I do not recommend driving to the Forest Service Trailhead. It is constantly full in the summer. Walking from the Big Cottonwood Canyon road adds a bit of distance but makes for a more enjoyable day.

To the Forest Service Trailhead (20-30 minutes / 1.3 miles)
Walk the main road south. It crosses the stream over a bridge. A new trail, signed Donut Falls 1.5 miles, leaves the paved road shortly after the bridge on the left. This is a more enjoyable route than staying on the road and what I recommend. Follow the winding trail as it passes the Jordan Pines Campground, then climbs a bit and soon (20-30 minutes from the parking lot) reaches a pit toilet and the Forest Service Trailhead. Note: Alternatively, staying on the paved road reaches this point as well. It is shorter but less scenic.

To Kessler Peak (3-4 hours / 2.4 miles / 2900’ of gain)
From the Forest Service Trailhead, follow the dirt road west. It crosses the stream, passes a gate, and begins its ascent of Cardiff Fork. From the gate, it Is about 0.3 miles to a junction with a dirt road leaving on the left. This dirt road goes to the Donut Falls trail. Stay right and begin keeping a sharp eye out on the right for the Kessler Peak trail.

The Kessler Peak trail is unsigned but usually has a cairn at its base. It is about 0.2 miles from the Donut Falls side road junction. It is the only obvious trail leaving the road on the right in this section and has the appearance of being well travelled. A lone conifer tree on the left is a short distance up the road from this junction and is a good landmark to doublecheck. If you reach another side road joining on the left, you have gone too far.

Once on the trail, it quickly begins climbing. The trail is, to me, surprisingly well-defined and easy to follow. It clearly gets a lot of use. It climbs west to a ridge, then steeply climbs the ridge with a few switchbacks en route.

At about 9400’ in elevation, the trail crosses a major avalanche path. The winter avalanches make an impressive swath down the mountain here and allows for nice views to the north of Gobblers Knob.

Once across the avalanche path, the trail climbs even more steeply. A trail junction a few minutes past the avalanche area is important. Go left up the mountain here, which is easy enough and is the logical path, but make sure to go RIGHT here on your RETURN down the mountain!

An old log structure on the right is a good sign you are nearing the ridge. At the cabin, the views begin to open a bit more. The trail climbs steeply for a few more minutes to an old mining tunnel and second log structure near the ridge.

From the ridge, stay on the well-worn trail as it heads south. The most used path is just below the ridge on the west side and is the easiest path to the summit. Do not take the many minor foot paths to the ridge!

From the summit, the awe-inspiring Big Cottonwood/Little Cottonwood ridgeline and area beyond is visible to the south. The Salt Lake Valley comes into view to the west, and upper Cardiff Fork is due west below the ridgeline. Stunning views all around.

Return the same way, making sure to go right at the important junction below the cabin!