Blaine Natural Area

 Blaine Natural Area is a short segment along Emigration Creek just above Allen Park and below Wasatch Hollow Preserve. It is listed as green space, and some pictures lead me to believe that there was more of a trail to explore than we found. Sadly, what we found was absolutely the shortest trail system ever. But hey, it was nice to see a little bit more of Emigration Creek. I would consider doing this as an add-on trail (like we did today) rather than coming out just for this.

Quick Details:

Length: About 2/10ths of a mile between both view points.
Trail Type: I mean really get out and see. With a small walk.
Difficulty: Get out and see DR1. Short, short little trail down, DR3.
Elevation Gain: Eh, 20 feet or so.
Restroom: No.
Dogs? Dogs are allowed on city paths in Salt Lake City, leashed.
Other Info:

To Get Here:

Take i80 to the 13th s. Exit. Head north to 2100 S. head east for about 2 blocks, turn left on 15th East. Go about 4/10ths of a mile, turn right on the Blaine Ave. Go about 350 feet and the little trail will be on the left. Street parking only.

The Trail:

We tried to do this area once before, but google directed us to the west end of it, where there is absolutely no trail. This year it directed us to a better spot, but it was not much better.

Emigration Creek Greenway sign, no dumping.

There is an old service road down to the creek with a chain across it to keep cars out.

Heading down into the gully.

Forest.

Emigration Creek.

The trail goes down to this grate of some sort, and then, well, that’s it.

Downstream. Towards Allen Park.

Upstream towards Wasatch Hollow Preserve.

Well what gives? I swear I saw a trail through here.

Upstream again.

Private Property sign on the other side. It looks like the north side house property extend down to the creek, so no luck there.

Back up the Blaine Avenue. We noticed another sign just to the west. So we hoofed it up there. This is where the majority of the 2/10ths of a mile came in.

The main sign.

It’s a little hard to see the creek below from here, and well, no sign of a trail here either.

The gully.

Whelp, no trail here so I guess back to the car we go.

Forest.

Well, that was super disappointing. I was hoping to explore the creek a bit more. But hey, at least we can see the creek. There are a few other places in the valley to enjoy it, upstream at Wasatch Hollow Preserve, downstream at Allen Park just downstream. I would consider doing this as an add on to either of those adventures, rather than coming just to see this. Below Allen Park the creek goes underground before entering the Jordan River at the 3 Creeks Confluence. As I mentioned, I liked seeing another part of it, but ultimately this was a bit disappointing. 2 squirrels.

As for difficulty, it is mostly a get out and see, DR1. There is a short, non paved trail down on the western end which would be a DR3.

Dogs are allowed on public streets in Salt Lake City, leashed. Please clean up after your furry friends.