Murray Canal Trail - Part 2: Northeast End

 The Murray Canal Trail is a trail in Murray that follows the Jordan and Salt Lake Canal. This section of the canal has a nice wide, well graded trail next to it so it is called the Murray Canal Trail. It features a canal, and some lovely forested sections. It is a great spot for watching birds too. Last time my healthy walking group and I did the southwest end coming from Wheeler Farm, but we didn’t finish it, so we thought this time we would come from the other side.

Quick Details:

Length: The Canal Trail is about 3.1 miles out and back coming from this end. Coming from the other end, you will add about 7/10ths of a mile out and back through Wheeler Farm. We shot past where we left off last time and did about 1.74 miles out and back.
Trail Type: Out and back, connector.
Difficulty: DR3. It is flat, and like paved.
Elevation Gain: NA
Restroom: No. There are some at Wheeler Farm, but I believe they are only open when the farm is open.
Dogs? Yes, Leashed. Please clean up after your furry friends.
Other Info:

To Get Here:

Take i15 to exit 9. head North to the light. Turn right (East) on Winchester (6600 S). Turn left on 13th east. Turn Right on Vine Street. Turn left on Fontaine Bleu Drive. You will see the trailhead on the left. Pay attention to the no parking areas.

The Trail:

Trailhead sign and rules.

The canal.

The Jordan and Salt Lake Canal does continue flowing northeast of here, but there is not an official trail, and there certainly is not any dedicated crossings (and the next road is the very, very busy Van Winkle). So, I don't think it is worth exploring further that way.

Ducky!

The trail. This section of the trail is on the northeast of the canal.

Primrose.

I just missed this muskrat above the surface. Didn’t get the camera up until he dived below.

Down he goes.

The water is actually pretty clear.

We caught up to our ducky friend. Hello!

A random little bridge. There is a gate, but it was not locked, and there were no signs saying keep out or anything.

The canal and Mount Olympus.

The river grass. I forget what this is called.

Continuing along.

Pretty oasis.

Continuing along.

When we did this trail from the other end I did mention that there are a few farms in the area, so here is one of them.

Still pretty.

Approaching the Vine Street crossing. This one has a little flashing light you can activate to alert drivers you are there.

Looking back at the canal before we cross.

After Vine Street the trail is now on the southwest side of the canal.

Still pretty.

A momma with some older ducklings.

Super lush part.

We noticed this large farm.

Oh, it belongs to the Cottonwood Presbyterian Church.

More lush trail.

Ducky!

Super green.

Primrose.

The canal seems quite full, almost to overfull here.

I think we chose the absolute perfect time of year to explore this trail. Everything is nice and green, and it is not too hot.

Little baby duckling.

Back into the canal.

Ah, there’s momma.

Uh oh, don’t wander too far little one!

This statue got Landis, who thought it was real for a second.

Nearing the spot we left off on last time.

I just love this time of year.

This is the bench we rested on and turned around last time. It was about 6/10ths of a mile from the northeast end. Just a tenth of a mile further than I thought it would be. We rested here again.

Looking back.

Forward.

We decided to keep going for a while longer.

A little narrow through here, but not bad.

It would appear something has dug up this little path. Beaver? This doesn’t appear to be good beaver habitat, but I’m not sure what else would have done it.

Ducky!

Anti-crossing guards make the pipes look like Tie-fighters.

Crossing at 6400 South. This one is not so busy, but there are visibility flags if you wish to use one.

Continuing along.

Rope swing.

Just before the 13th East crossing we found a family of Canada geese.

Oh my goodness, they are so cute!!!

I was wondering where the other adult was. I guess he/she was just resting.

We decided that we did not want to disturb them (and well, geese can be mean, particularly with babies) and that we had gone far enough so we decided to turn back here at about 9/10ths of a mile.

Back to the random rope swing.

More duckies.

So handsome.

Crossing 6400 South again.

Mountains.

Continuing along.

Nice and pretty.

Again.

Back to where we left off last time.

It is a pretty little elbow.

Continuing along.

Nice little corridor.

Momma and ducklings going to town on a gross area.

Random duckling.

Interesting old cabin on the Presbyterian property. I wonder how old it is?

I love when they do the running to catch up thing.

Super lush section.

Primrose.

Mount Olympus.

The Vine Street Crossing.

Here the trail switches back to the northeast side of the canal.

The little farm again.

With Mount Olympus.

Panoramic.

This horse has interesting markings.

I wonder what the blindfold is for.

Another panoramic.

The last section is heading east.

With the canal.

Grasses in the canal.

Fun clouds.

Well, again, I am surprised that this random city trail is really nice. It almost seems like a natural creek this time of year with all the greenery and mountain views. It is quite nice. 7 squirrels.

As for difficulty, it is flat, and like paved. DR3.

Dogs are allowed, leashed. Please clean up after your furry friends.