Wagner Spring | Salt Lake City

Hiking Wagner Spring - Salt Lake City Hiking Wagner Spring

Salt Lake City

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

RATING: Easy Hike

Sun

Rain likely after 8am. Mostly cloudy. High near 47, with temperatures falling to around 44 in the afternoon. East southeast wind around 2 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

47 | 38

Mon

Rain before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Southwest wind around 2 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

44 | 38

Tue

A chance of rain after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

47 | 33

Wed

A chance of rain and snow before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

37 | 32

Thu

Snow likely before 5pm, then rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

39 | 27

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SEASON: Any, though summers can be hot.
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: None

Sun

Rain likely after 8am. Mostly cloudy. High near 47, with temperatures falling to around 44 in the afternoon. East southeast wind around 2 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

47 | 38

Mon

Rain before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Southwest wind around 2 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

44 | 38

Tue

A chance of rain after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

47 | 33

Wed

A chance of rain and snow before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

37 | 32

Thu

Snow likely before 5pm, then rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

39 | 27

View Full Weather Details
A hazy SLC Valley from the pipeline section of the trail.

A hazy SLC Valley from the pipeline section of the trail.

The Wagner Spring hike is short enough to fit into an evening but long enough to feel like an outing. The hike is a nice one, meandering through scrub oak, passing a spring, then climbing up the foothills to a viewpoint of Emigration Canyon and Salt Lake City.

Historical Note: Wagner Spring has an interesting history. In 1864, the first brewery in Utah was opened at the site called the California Brewery by German immigrant Henry Wagener. In 1894, it was renamed the Wagener Brewing Company. Sadly, in 1914 the brewery was destroyed by fire and never rebuilt.

Note: This is a great hike most anytime of the year, but can be hot in the summer. If doing the hike in the summer, morning or evening is recommended. Part of the hike is shaded, but much of it is not.
Dog Owner Note: The trailhead sign indicates no dogs, but I suspect this may be for the section of trail heading north through This is the Place Heritage Park. There were many dogs on the trail the day we visited, but they may or may not be allowed.
Fall colors en route along Emigration Canyon

Fall colors en route along Emigration Canyon

The final climb to the viewpoint.

The final climb to the viewpoint.

Getting There

The trailhead is at the mouth of Emigration Canyon on the east side of Salt Lake. From downtown Salt Lake, travel east on 800 S. This becomes Sunnyside Avenue. Follow Sunnyside Avenue which turns into Emigration Canyon Road at the mouth of Emigration Canyon. There is a small dirt parking lot on the left, just before entering the canyon and just after the Hoggle Zoo. This is the trailhead, and is also next to the overflow parking for the zoo.

Ruby practicing cairn skills on the summit.

Ruby practicing cairn skills on the summit.

Fall colors near the spring.

Fall colors near the spring.

Route

From the trailhead, there are two main trails leaving the parking area. Take the path on the right, that climbs up and east. There are quite a few side trails on this hike, stay on the main trail throughout. After a few minutes, a significant side trail goes off on the left, stay right.

The trail contours around with views up Emigration Canyon as it winds through scrub oak. 15 or so minutes from the trailhead, the trail becomes more vegetated, and a large concrete water tank on the left and pond on the right mark Wagner Spring.

Continuing past the spring, a junction is reached. Stay right, continuing to climb up the drainage. Soon the trail reaches an old pipeline scar. Go right here for just a couple of minutes to the top of the ridge. Go right again at the junction on top of the ridge and follow the old two track a few minutes out to the viewpoint at the end on top of a small hill.

Return the same way.


Maps

Route / 2.76 miles / Elevation Range 4,921 - 5,757 ft.
Printable Maps:

Trailhead

12T 431501mE 4511411mN

N40° 45' 03" W111° 48' 41"
First Right

12T 431745mE 4511428mN

N40° 45' 04" W111° 48' 31"
Second Right

12T 432118mE 4511763mN

N40° 45' 15" W111° 48' 15"
Right on Pipeline

12T 432486mE 4512249mN

N40° 45' 30" W111° 47' 59"
Right on Ridge

12T 432651mE 4512286mN

N40° 45' 32" W111° 47' 52"
Viewpoint

12T 432501mE 4511975mN

N40° 45' 21" W111° 47' 59"

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