East Mountain Wilderness Park

East Mountain Wilderness Park is a nice open wild park on the benches above Kaysville Utah. I am not sure, but it looks like it may have originally been a scout camp and was turned into a park. There are a couple camp sites, and some scout activities.

I’m going to just start out with, compared to the amazing trails we have around here, this one is kind of a let down. It is right next to a shooting range, so you get to hear that part of the way and there really isn’t much to see. But if you want a quick easy trail, or get the dog out then it is a great little trail system.

Quick Details:

Length: 1 mile loop for the main trail.
Difficulty: DR3 some up and down, but seriously not much.
Elevation Gain: Not sure, but it isn’t much.
Pets: Yes, on leash.
Restroom: Yes at the trailhead.

To get here from south, take i15 to exit 397 UT-89. Follow that to 650 N and take a right. Immediately turn right again, and then left to continue up 650 N. About .3 miles you will see a parking lot on the left. if you hit the gun range you went too far. Note: I tried to use google maps to get here, and it took me to the north end in a neighborhood and said to walk the rest. Which would require trespassing. I did eventually find it, and provided the instructions above. (and have reported it so hopefully they fix that soon).

Big sign you can’t miss.

Parking lot and restrooms.

They have this “Gold Medal Mile” sign to promote exercise and health.

The main path is pretty wide and obvious. Nice peaks above.

A compass course. Basically you start here, and use a compass to find which direction to go to and walk however many feet it says to the next post. We didn’t do it, but I did pull out the compass app to see if it seemed correct.

Posts 17 and 9. (of 17 total) The main trail passes these and 1 other that I noticed.

There are 3 campsites that can be reserved.

Looks like they have fire pits and tables.

Eventually the trail opens up and offers a view of Antelope Island.

We noticed this sign at one of the many side trails said graveyard. We thought maybe there was an old cemetery up here. Being interested in history and well, graveyards in general of course we took this side trail….. so, I am an idiot There is no grave yard up here.

Neat boulder.

A primitive campsite.

And we have reached Holmes Creek.

Roxy takes a look. She loves to look at water, but doesn’t particularly like to get in it.

Random piles of rocks.

Neat old tree.

After not finding a cemetery and getting through this really windy bit.. I remembered the black diamond on the sign for this side trail and the green circle on a different trail sign and it dawned on me. I am an idiot. This is a bike trail. The black diamond indicates it is expert level. derp.

Water coming out of a small reservoir.

Holmes Creek.

It looks like this was an additional reservoir, or is an overflow basin of some sort… ok I’m going to go back to the main trail now.

Mountains above.

Another trail sign with a beginner green circle.

Roxy resting in the shade. She does a pretty good job of letting us know when she needs a break. She did a lot better on this trail, but it is apparent it is still too warm for her. So we will wait for fall to bring her out again.

If you had stayed on the main trail this would be the half mile point. We got a little extra in today.

Random patio? The random bench I get, but the pavers under it? That is new.

As I mentioned, we have so many way better trails around here, but if you just need a quick excursion, or something to do with your dog, this is a great little trail system. The sound of the gun range does eventually go away the further back you get. To me, I feel this is Davis County’s answer to Parleys Historic Nature Park. Dogs are allowed and it’s about as pretty. Where here we have the gun range, Parleys you have the freeway and the crowd. If anybody knows of a better dog park in Davis County, please let me know. Now, if you are in the area and are looking for more of an adventure, nearby Adams Canyon is definitely the better option. As for this trail, meh… going with 6 out of 10 squirrels.

As for difficulty, DR3. wide flat path with very little ups and downs. Nothing particularly challenging.

Dogs are allowed! Please remember to clean up after your furry friend.