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The Utah State Capitol is a cool building that we have visited a couple of times. I have been wanting to visit during the peak cherry blossom bloom for a while now. Last year we deemed it to be too much of a mad house to be worthwhile. Today however we just sucked it up and accepted that we are not the only people that want to see it and just dealt with it. Not to mention, the prime blossom period only lasts 10-15 days sometime between late March and April depending on weather, so we figured we might as well experience it for once. There is a short loop around the capitol that the cherry trees were planted along so we decided to just do that.
Quick Details:
Length: It is about a 3/4 mile loop.
Trail Type: Loop.
Difficulty: It is a gravel lined path with a subtle elevation change. DR3.
Elevation Gain: About 65 feet.
Restroom: There are restrooms inside the Capitol, but it closes at 5 on weekends. So you would need to find an alternate after that.
Dogs? Yes, but must remain leashed at all times.
Other Info:
To Get Here:
From Downtown SLC take State St north until you reach the capitol.
The Trail:
Well, right after we parked in the the north east lot we were greeted with this awesome view. Wow. We didn’t really plan on walking around it today, but this kind of changed our minds.
Cherry blossoms and the capitol. You know, it is kind of weird, I am pretty sure we are lower in elevation, but my cherry tree has yet to bloom. Must be a different species.
Cherry tree lined path. I learned this is called the Capitol Memorial Pathway. I gave up on the idea of getting any images without people in it. It was very busy today! I imagine when the blossom peak is done, it is not as crazy as it was today.
Blossoms and capitol.
Focus on the blossoms.
With more of the capitol.
Fewer people.
So, a little history here. The original cherry trees were planted on Arbor day in 1931, and then, in 1945, Japan gifted Kwanzan cherry trees to Utah as a symbol of friendship following World War II.
As the Kwanzen Cherry trees reached the end of their lifespan, and the 1999 tornado damaged a lot of them, yes, a tornado. It was a freak weather event in Utah. Afterwards they were replaced by Yoshino cherry tees, which are what we see today. There are currently 433 of them.
They were planted during the capitol restoration between 2004 and 2008. These trees were specifically grafted in a way to create the canopy over the walkway that we see today.
More blossoms.
A nice arch around the capitol.
Edward H. Harriman. 1848 - 1909.
Landis said they are building new offices. I am a little sad they will be blocking the back view of the old building.
More cherry blossoms.
Another minimal people shot. Yay.
There is something really romantic about walking along a cherry tree lined path with the person you love.
Looking up.
Another minimal people shot.
The capitol again.
Now we start the hit the crowds I was talking about. I guess most people stay near the front of the building.
The House Building west.
Continuing along.
The Utah Law Enforcement Memorial.
The west side.
The Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos Veterans Memorial.
Definitely more crowded near the front.
More blossoms.
Closer.
Super crowded.
Caught a nice pocket of less people.
Nearing the front.
More blossoms.
Nice frame.
Without any trees.
More blossoms.
Lots of fun ways to frame the neat building.
More blossoms.
The front.
About the center.
Utah Office of Tourism.
More blossoms.
With the capitol.
More blossoms.
White Memorial Chapel.
Another nice frame.
Mormon Battalion Monument.
Little closer.
The capitol again.
More blossoms.
Looking up.
Continuing along.
Working our way over to the east side.
The east side.
Statue of Massassoit. I didn’t get close enough to read the plaque.
Some more statues. I did not go in closer to see who they are.
More blossoms.
The east side and the east Senate Building.
Blossom closeup.
More blossoms.
Fancy sign reminding people to keep their dogs leashed.
More blossoms.
Back to where we started.
Passing by the front as we head back downtown (Passenger Seat Photography (PSP)).
With the State of Utah sign (PSP).
The Salt Lake Temple still under reconstruction (PSP).
Wow, that was great. We totally did not plan on doing the loop today, but I am glad we did. It was really fun and kind of magical. My only complaint is I wish I had gone to other way around so we would have started with the busy part, and ended at the less busy part. But meh. It was still fun, even with the crowds. I imagine it is quite a bit less busy when the cherry blossoms are not at their peak. 9 out of 10 squirrels today.
As for difficulty, it is hard packed gravel trail with very mild elevation gain. DR3.
Dogs are allowed, but should remain leashed at all times.
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