Dimple Dell: North Rim Trail

 Dimple Dell Park is a large park following a gully in Sandy. It features a lot of different trail options. As often as we visit I still don’t think we have done them all yet. The North Rim Trail AKA The Dimple Dell Trail follows the north rim of the gully above 13th East, which is why this section of it has that name as well. The trail features incredible views of the mountains, and down into the gully. This is one of my go to trails when I can’t really figure out what else to do, so we have done it a few times and well, I decided it would be a decent first hike of the year. Today we did the section from 13th East up to the “elbow” at Fox Point.

Quick Details:

Length: About 3.9 out and back. Sorter or longer options.
Trail Type: Out and back, can combine with other trails for loop or balloon options.
Difficulty: DR3. Its is a very gradual climb and a wide wood chip lined trail.
Elevation Gain: About 390 feet.
Restroom: Yes there are now year round restroom at the trailhead.
Dogs? Yes, but must remain leashed at all times.
Other Info:

To Get Here:

We used the Wrangler TH today. Take 106th South to 13th east turn left, Go north for about 1200 feet then turn right*. Go another 300 feet and you will see the Wrangler TH on the right.
*if you pass Smiths on 13th east, you went to far, but go ahead and turn into their parking lot and head south it’ll get there too.

The Trail:

There are 2 trails that come off of this trailhead, you want to use the one to the east that heads uphill.

Mount Jordan.

Looks like they have refreshed or replaced a few of these signs.

All these years hiking in this park I never really questioned the wood chip lining. Today I asked myself, why do they sped the money and time into lining the trails? And refreshing it fairly often? What is the benefit? So I looked it up.

Essentially the wood chips absorb moisture so they help prevent muddy trails. They also help prevent erosion. They are a comfortable surface to walk on  I think the first 2 reason are the big reason they are used here as the gully is essentially a big sand dune.

Mount Jordan again.

The Badger Cove Trailhead across the way. It just opened last year.

The beginning of the Flanders Loop Trail.

Flanders Point.

Mount Jordan again.

Flanders Road. One of several neighborhood connector trails. You can use this one to do a shorter loop around Flanders Point.

Mount Jordan.

The other side of Flanders Loop.

Down into the gully.

The Mountain View Trail. Also the south end of The Primrose Loop.

Random fenced off section.

This eventually leads to Highland Drive.

The plan is to eventually continue Highland Drive across the gully. I really hope that never happens. I don't think it is necessary. We have 13th East and Dimple Dell Road, it really isn't a huge deal to go around it.

Point of the Mountain and the Jordan Narrows. Which is a very narrow point between The Salt Lake and Utah Valleys.

Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Panoramic. Lets see. Little Cottonwood Canyon, Bell Canyon, Dry Canyons, Rocky Mouth Canyon, Big Willow Canyon, Little Willow Canyon, and Bear Canyon. You can't really see it, but also Corner Canyon to the right. All of the little canyons on and on either side of Mount Jordan.

Mount Jordan.

Utah Valley is getting some sunlight it would seem.

Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Panoramic.

Down in the gully.

Panoramic with Steep Mountain to the right. 

Sego Lily Gate, another neighborhood connector. I don't think I have used this one. In fact I am having trouble finding it on the map. So it might be outdated.

Jordan Narrows again.

Looking back west.

The gully below.

An old road gate. Adding more evidence to my thought that at one point people could drive on this. I don't know for sure, but it sure looks that way.

Kennecott.

Like I said, Dimple Dell is like a giant sand dune. It is this sandy soil (remnants of Lake Bonneville) that may have lead to the City of Sandy’s name. Honestly, I am kind of surprised that none of the houses have slid down into the gully.

Then again, it looks like the houses on the super sandy sections are set back from the edge quite a bit.

Continuing along. Nice almost flat section for a bit.

I can’t really be sure, but I believe this is about the 1.5 mile mark. I just remember considering turning back at that point before ultimately deciding to keep going to the “elbow” and remembering it started to climb again afterwards. It was only an additional 4/10ths of a mile.

Mount Jordan.

More of a climb.

Sunlight above the Jordan Narrows.

Bell Canyon.

Panoramic.

Aqueduct Gate, another neighborhood connector. You can use this for a short option for the Fox Point Loop.

Looking towards Sego Lily Drive.

Continuing along.

The south entrance to the Fox Point Loop.

Fox Point.

The “Elbow” where the canyon, and thus the trail swing to the north.

This little sign is new, well new since the last time we were here anyway.

For some odd reason I didn’t get a shot of the view here, which is weird, cause it is a pretty good view.

Guess I was more interested in getting a selfy here haha.

It is only about another 9/10ths of a mile more to the Mount Jordan Trailhead, but it was starting to get dark so we decided this was a good turn around point.

Heading back down.

Looks like Utah County is getting a sunset.

The valley starting to light up.

Random sandy circle. Almost looks like a bison wallow, but uh, there aren’t any bison up here. I wonder what else it could be.

The gully.

Looking back on Mount Jordan.

Panoramic.

The valley again.

There appears to be a large Christmas star (or some other light up decoration) hanging in Little Willow Canyon. I believe that is the same canyon that someone hangs a flag in during 4th of July too. That is kind of neat! I wish I knew of it earlier I would have made a trip to go see it. Meh, I guess next year.

Mount Jordan again.

The valley again.

It took me a moment to find The Claw. As big as it is, it is still a little hard to find at night from here.

Someone had heavy footsteps recently.

The valley again. It is definitely getting too dark for decent pictures.

We noticed this large area with a lot of color changing lights. Our first thought was the America First Field, but this is too far south and too far west. We then thought of other large building out in that area and eventually ruled those out too. My final thought was a large drive through Christmas Light thing, and I think that might be what it is. The Christmas In Color display. Seems to be in the right area, and would explain all of the color changing lights haha. Maybe we’ll check that out next year too.

Back down to the trailhead, with a shot of the recently rebuilt restroom (although a little blurry).

Well, that was a fun adventure, even if we have done it a few times now. We saw a few people but not too many. I really enjoy the views and the nice easy trail. It is a great option for this time of year too. 9 out of 10 squirrels today.

As for difficulty, it is mostly a pretty mild climb and the whole trail is wide, and wood chip lined. DR3.

Dogs are allowed, but should remain leashed. Please clean up after your furry friends!