Bonneville Shoreline Trail - Ensign Peak

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Can be ridden in either direction, but the descent into City Creeks is much more fun than riding down on the service road.

Begin by accessing the the dirt road to the radio towers above Ensign Peak from either Sandhurst Dr or Churchill Dr north of the capitol building. Ride up the service road toward the towers. The trailhead is marked with a sign reminding you to clean up after your dog. It's a few hundred feet below the first group of towers, at an elevation around 5500 feet. Follow the trail eastward, as it roughly follows the contours of Hells Canyon, between 5500 and 5600 feet.

When you reach the east side of the canyon, you'll emerge onto a ridge leading north from Ensign Peak. Ride south briefly, until you reach a 'Y' in the trail. Take the eastern path, toward City Creek Canyon.

Follow along the side of the mountain until you reach City Creek. The final descent into the canyon is a fast drop through dense vegetation, with several switchbacks.

When you reach the bottom of the descent, you'll intersect with the hiking path that parallels the road in City Creek Canyon. The pedestrian traffic can be heavy in this area, and visibility can be limited, so ride responsibly.

At a few locations, you'll have the option to stay on the trail, or drop down onto the paved City Creek Canyon Road. Always stay on the trail. Eventually, you'll drop out near the horseshoe bend of Bonneville Blvd at the top of Memory Grove.

You can proceed down Memory Grove at this point into downtown Salt Lake City, or take Bonneville Blvd westward to Capitol Hill, back toward the trailhead.