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The Observation Point Trail at Snowbird is a super easy, paved trail that goes through a lovely mixed forest, and leads to an amazing viewpoint down Little Cottonwood Canyon. From the signs, it sounds like there is a good chance of seeing wildlife too. It is a great short add on trail when doing Oktoberfest. I have known of this trail for years now, and only now assed myself to figure out where it is and do it, and I am glad I did! It’s a nice little trail. I believe this used to be called the Barrier Free Trail.
Quick Details:
Length: About a mile out and back.
Trail Type: Out and back.
Difficulty: DR2. It is paved and super easy.
Elevation Gain: About 85 feet.
Restroom: Quite a few options in the Snowbird complex.
Dogs? No. Little Cottonwood Canyon is watershed.
Other Info: Normally free, but Oktoberfest charges $15 to park in the main lots.
To Get Here:
From the mouth of the canyon (where the 2 roads meet) drive about 6.8 miles to the Bypass road, head right. Park where the road makes a big curve to the left (this will add about a thousand feet).
Or, if enjoying festivities at Oktoberfest, head to the east part of the property, behind the Snowbird Center building. You can go through and up the stairs in the Snowbird Center, or you can go around it on the east side.
The Trail:
After we chugged down the last of our beers from Oktoberfest, we found the trail near the back entrance at the east end. Snowbird kind of fails in their summer trails program. But, at least the signs did direct us to where I wanted to be for the day. Oi.
It is completely paved. A little crumbly in spots, but still, paved.
Some nice color.
Crossing a dirt road.
Oh, I guess it is called Creek Road. Anyway, the sign reassured us we are still going the right way. Phew.
History.
Continuing along.
View down canyon.
Snow and fall colors.
Oof, lots of snow!
A winter wonderland.
Through the woods.
Patches of color.
Closer.
Mountain Wildflowers. Quite a few of my favorites shown here.
Wow!
Snow and colorful leaves.
Trees.
At least the trail is free of snow… for the most part.
Continuing along.
Downhill.
Uphill.
The trail crosses a couple of ski runs, and thus is not open during the ski season.
Cloud covered peak.
The pretty leaves are definitely starting to fall. Autumn is so fleeting.
Wildlife. I’ve seen all of these up here except for a golden eagle. Now that I think about it, I don’t think I have ever seen a golden eagle in the wild.
Colorful tree stars! (Actually thimbleberry leaves).
There are a couple nice benches to rest on.
Forest.
Super pretty.
Color.
Cloudy peak.
Forest.
Trees and Shrubs.
More forest.
Another ski run.
Downhill.
Across the canyon.
Fun clouds.
Hiding the little peak.
Okay, a little bit of slush left in a couple small spots.
Forest.
Color.
View down another ski run.
Cloud covered peak again.
Almost to the viewpoint at the end.
View across the canyon.
The Wasatch Watersheds: Critical Sources of Pure Water.
The last little push up to the observation deck.
The view down the canyon.
Up canyon.
Fun granite slab.
The observation deck.
Mining History of Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Geology of Little Cottonwood Canyon.
The view. Wow! The cloudy sunset is nice, but I think I would like to see it without the blazing sun in my face. So I guess that means we will have to come back sometime.
Gad Valley Gulch.
The view down Little Cottonwood Canyon again.
Across the canyon.
Some deer friends.
Down canyon.
Up canyon.
My Oktoberfest mug. Good thing this is a short trail, cause lugging this bad boy around is a pain.
Cloudy peak.
Heading back down.
Down canyon again.
Fun with shadows.
Forest.
Color.
Forest.
Ski run.
Across the canyon.
Golden light.
Another ski run.
Color.
Another ski run.
More color.
We decided to take this dirt trail down. We both needed a restroom and we figured this would get us back to one quicker. It was about the same mileage wise, give or take a few feet. Its dirt, but hard packed so I would still say it’s super easy and stroller friendly.
Cloud covered peak.
Sunlight through the trees.
Continuing down.
Ski run.
More deer friends.
Hoppity hop hop.
Some sunset color. Maybe we should have hung out at the point a little longer haha.
Little bridge over Little Cottonwood Creek.
Sunset again.
Into the Snowbird Center on the hunt for a restroom.
That was a fun little hike! I have been meaning to do it for a little while now, so I am glad I can finally check it off. It was also a good option after enjoying a couple beers at Oktoberfest, not strenuous at all. And surprisingly not busy at all either. We only passed one other couple. I enjoyed the forest, and the views as well. Plus, some fun deer friends! I am going to take a squirrel for being a little hard to find. 9 out of 10 squirrels.
As for difficulty, the main trail is paved. DR2.
Dogs are not allowed in Little Cottonwood Canyon due to watershed restrictions. So be sure to leave Fido home.
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