Dimple Dell: West End

 Dimple Dell Regional Park is a huge nature area that features miles and miles of trails. I learned last week that there has been an effort to allow Dry Creek to flow again. That effort and I suspect the record breaking snowpack has allowed the creek to flow and well, I just really wanted to experience it as much as I could. I wanted to experience a different area but with the construction at the Wrangler Trailhead so I had to make due. We have had a pretty mild spring so far, and I expected more shade than there was so I thought this would be okay. It ended up being our first 90+ day and this was not the best choice.

Quick Details:

Length: The whole route to the Wrangler Trailhead is about 4 miles out and back. We did about 3 out and back.
Trail Type: Out and back, Connector.
Difficulty: DR3. There are a few climbs, but its not too bad.
Elevation Gain: We did about 150 feet today.
Restroom: Come October 2023 there will be one at the Wrangler Trailhead. But currently no.
Dogs? Yes, but should remain leashed at all times.
Other Info:

To Get Here: 

Take 90th south or 106th south to State Street. Turn east on Sego Lily Dr. Head east to 300 East. Go right and follow it to the end of the road. You can park at Sandy Dog Park, or on the street. Just be sure you don’t block the gate.

The Trail:

Mount Jordan from the beginning of the trail.

This trailhead starts at the top and goes down into the gully. Its not too bad, but keep in mind you have to come back up it.

This lower section is pretty forested.

Dry Creek, being not so dry. This is awesome!

I actually recently just walked by it’s confluence with the Jordan River.

Again.

Here is what I am used to this looking like from February.

Like I said, I was here for the creek.

I think this is the same spot, but not quite the same angle.

The creek again.

This trail is a lot more enjoyable with the sound of a babbling brook.

Some sort of daisy.

A pretty big bend.

More creek.

Yellow sweet clover.

Lower bridge. I didn’t put this together until after the hike, but you can save a bit of a climb by crossing this one, and then back over the next bridge. These bridges connect some connector trails.

Mount Jordan through the trees.

Connecting to the Dimple Dell Trail from the connector trail we were on, It is another nice wooded section.

Oh hey, there is even a little waterfall.

Little closer.

From the top.

The creek through the woods.

Heading under 7th east.

There are a few rapids here under the bridge.

Another rapid.

Then it is calm again.

Little pond.

Creek again.

The pedestrian bridge for the White City Trail.

From the other side.

Panoramic, which distorted it a bit.

After the pedestrian bridge there is practically no shade.

Mount Jordan again.

The creek again.

Itty bitty waterfall.

Cliff.

Another itty bitty waterfall.

More creek.

Yep. No shade.

Below Mount Jordan. After here the trail climbs up to the top of the gully, away from the creek, and did not offer much more shade. 

Downstream.

The moon.

Downstream again.

Its more desert like through this part.

It was too hot of a day to be in full sun so at about 1.5 miles we turned around. My original goal was to make it to 13th east, but it was just too hot.

Back down to the cliff.

Back to the pedestrian bridge.

We took a break in it’s shade.

Back down to the forested section.

The creek again.

Back down to the 7th east bridge.

Underneath.

Rapids.

Curly dock.

The little waterfall again.

The lower of the 2 connector bridges. I was originally going to cross the first one and stay on the Dimple Dell Trail but I was concerned about the lack of shade since we are both still quite warm. So, we veered back onto the connector trail.

The creek again.

No idea what these are.

Various creek shots.

Tamarisk.

More forest.

More creek.

Forest.

Where Dry Creek goes underground for a bit. It appears to emerge after the butte below dimple dell, goes by South Town Mall then off to the Jordan River.

Well, I enjoyed the lower section today. But after the bridge there is not nearly enough shade to do on a day like today. It is super neat to see Dry Creek flowing, and I enjoyed listening to it babbling its way down. It really does make the gully more enjoyable. 7 out of 10 squirrels today.

As for difficulty, its pretty easy going, even in the heat. DR3.

Dogs are allowed, but should remain leashed at all times.