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The Big Cottonwood Trail (AKA the Cottonwood Heights Historic Walk, AKA Old Mill Bike Path and formerly Big Cottonwood Canyon Trail) is a fun city path between Holladay and Cottonwood Heights. It features great views of the mountains, Big Cottonwood Creek, and a lot of history of the area! It is a great easy trail to do when the weather kind of sucks and we tend to do it often now. I decided to do it today because I wanted to see the Old Mill before whatever might happen to it because they are talking about developing the site again. That seems to be a recurring theme lately.
Quick Details:
Length: About 4.22 miles out and back. We uh… added some detours today though and did a little extra.
Trail Type: Out and back, connector.
Difficulty: DR2 for the main path, which is paved, and has a slight incline. DR3 for extra exploring.
Elevation Gain: About 400 feet.
Restroom: Yes, on both ends. The one at the mouth of the canyon are year round. The ones in Knudsen Park do not appear to be open in winter though.
Dogs? Yes, leashed. Please clean up after your furry friends.
Other Info: This trail passes by several restaurants and bars if you want to stop for a bite, or a bite and a pint.
To Get Here:
We decided to start at the bottom today from Knudsen Park.
Take i215 to 6200 South, head west. Almost immediately turn left onto Holladay BLVD. Drive to the end.
The mountains from i215 (Passenger Seat Photography (PSP)). Absolutely dreadful with the small amount of snow. This has been the weirdest, warmest, driest winter ever.
The Cotton Bottom (PSP). They make probably the best garlic burger in the valley! It has been around since 1945-49 ish (it's a little vague on the specifics).
The old sign (PSP).
The Trail:
Neat pillars on the edge of Knudsen Park, marking the new beginning of this end of the trail.
Into the park.
Random pillars with o-rings. All I can figure is maybe some kind of hammock support?
Oh this is new. Art that matches what we just saw in Big Cottonwood Regional Park - Creekside Park last week.
Portrait.
“Knudsens’s Corner
Where you stand now was originally know as Knudsen’s Corner. Pronounced Kaa-nood-sen, in the late 1800s, Rasmus Christian Knudsen, of Denmark, purchased a large swath of land near present-day Knudsen Park and Big Cottonwood Creek. Knudsen built a flour mill, a recreation center, and a park of log cabin vacation units called Knudsen’s Grove. After the mill burned down in 1920, Knudsen’s daughter, pearl, opened Knudsen’s Inn. The inn changed hands over the years, but remained a popular dining spot until it burnet down in the mid 1900s. In the early-2000s, the city of Holladay purchased the land for open space conservation and developed the area into a beloved public park--a great reminder of the Knudsen’s legacy today.”
Well, I am glad they added the pronunciation. I have been saying nud-sen for that past year or so.
And a sack of flour.
Little Cottonwood Creek. It has to be diverted somewhere upstream, because this is barely a trickle! Either that, or we are in serious trouble this year.
Bridge over the creek. There is a small, more wild part of the park back there.
The park and the mountains above.
Where the park connects to the original trail.
Trail Rules and Regulations.
Also, I am pretty sure this is the official start to the mile markers along the trail.
Random group of shoes on the power lines. There are a good 5 or 6 pairs up there.
Big Cottonwood Creek.
This old stone bridge was built by a Youth Service in 2012 it seems.
Heading under i215. Here we cross from Holladay into Cottonwood Heights.
Continuing up.
The creek.
Even this high up, there is just a lackluster bit of snow and ice left.
Moss growing on the wall.
Quarter mile marker.
Passing by some office buildings.
I actually used to work in this building, many years ago. I think it has changed hands a couple times since then. It looks like it is empty at the moment.
Cottonwood Heights Mile Marker.
Another bridge across the creek.
Upstream with another neat bridge we will see in a minute.
Downstream.
A neat simple suspension bridge.
One of the main supports.
Panoramic, which for some reason straitened it out.
It does have a natural droop though.
Underneath.
I decided to take a slight detour to explore the bridge a little bit more.
The north side supports.
Onto the bridge. It bounced and swayed a little bit more than I would like, but honestly, I was fine. It oddly did not trigger my fear of heights. Maybe the fencing on each side helped? I don’t know. As I have said several times, the lizard brain is irrational and sometimes I don’t really know what the hell triggers it.
About halfway.
It did however remind me of the scary ass bridge from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Just, you know, a million times less scary. It's not over 100 feet up and it is much more sturdy. You know, sometimes I wonder if my irrational fear of heights might have been caused by some of the movies I watched as a kid. o.0
Side thought, the closest bridge like this clip I have come across so far is the Drift Creek Falls bridge in Oregon. I was not able to cross that one.
Downstream Little Cottonwood Creek.
Upstream.
Nearing the south end supports.
The cable is really secured on this side.
I guess the fact that it is in the city, and that it is leading to a pricy restaurant (part of a chain no less) kind of solidifies that is is definitely much safer than a random bridge like this we might find in the woods.
Heading back to the north side.
Again.
About to the middle.
Downstream.
Upstream.
The north support structures.
The bridge.
Back on the trail we hit the half mile marker. My little side-quest adventure kind of screwed things up to see if they were still accurate, but from what I remember they are close.
Car bridge to the Market Street Grill parking lot.
Another trail sign.
Entering Historic Butler. One of several little towns that now make up Cottonwood Heights (as we will learn about in just a minute).
Crossing over 3000 East. There is a light you can activate to cross safely. But at least on Sundays, the road isn’t too busy. The guy ahead of us had activated it, and it looked like it was changing so we waited with him and his cute dog.
Passing by some businesses and restaurants.
The section that was closed last year for construction. All we can figure is maybe that rough winter we had a couple years ago damaged this part of the trail? Anyway, they are done with whatever they were doing and the main trail is accessible again.
“Welcome to the Cottonwood Heights Historic Walk
The history of Cottonwood Heights is quite unique. Unlike so many of the older cities in Salt Lake County, our city is comprised of areas that were once several different communities. Among these were Cottonwood, Big Cottonwood, Butler, Union, Granite, Poverty Flats, Danish Town, Emmaville, and Gold City. With the exception of the Old Mill on Big Cottonwood Canyon Road, the Alvin and Annie Green House on Danish Road, and the Union Pioneer Cemetery on Creek Road, very few of the actual historic sites mentioned along this trail exist today. This historic walk is designed to tell you about some of the sites that have succumbed to the forces of time and change and also explain a few significant events that occurred in our history.
Below is a list of the historical markers located along the trail. the map shows where these historical sites were located in what is now Cottonwood Heights. Enjoy this walk through our city’s past!
Upper Trail (East End)
1. Lumber Industry
2. Cottonwood Heights Black Pioneers
3. McGhie Springs
4. First Post Office
5. Butler Brewery and Hotel
6. Ice House and Pond
7. CCC Camp
Lower Trail (West End)
8. Cedar Tree
9. Ern and Molly Green Cabin
10. Silica Beds
11. Tithing House
12. Mining
13. Granite Butler Church
14. South Butler School
15. Agriculture”
Big Cottonwood Creek.
This is the best trail to see the Twin Peaks of Twin Peaks Mountain.
Spillway from the reservoir above.
Twin Peaks again.
“Agriculture
During their first 20-plus years in the Salt Lake Valley, people who settled this area did so at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon. They depended on the sawmills and later the mines as a means of support. Following the joining of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, people in the area were able to obtain land grants through the “Homestead Act.” Andrew Hansen Sr. obtained a land grant for 160 acres in the area that would become known as “Danish Town.” Several African Americans obtained land grants in the western section of our city. Others obtained grants on the Butler Bench. Without water, farming was difficult as the soil was very sandy and gravelly and had to be cleared of sagebrush and scrub oak. Many of the first farmers did not stay long and sold their property to others. The first crops were dry-farm crops of grains, hay, and alfalfa.
Water was needed to make farming viable, so irrigation companies were formed and ditches were dug. The McGhie Ditch was among those taking water from Big Cottonwood Creek and provided water for people living along 2300 East. Butler Ditch supplied water to those living north of Bengal Boulevard along 3500 East. The Brown and Sanford Irrigation Company supplied water to the majority of people in the Butlerville area. The Big Willow Irrigation Company, incorporated in 1900, took its water from Little Willow Creek. The Big Willow Irrigation Company is still in operation today, providing water to the residents along Wasatch Boulevard, Danish Road, and the Memorial Estates Cemetery. Those taking water out of Little Cottonwood Creek were the Union and East Jordan Irrigation Company and the Van Valkenberg Ditch. The former is still in operation today.
With access to irrigation water, farmers were able to grow truck-garden crops. Peas were a big crop and, for a time, the area had two pea viners, though one of them closed during the depression. During the 1930s, farmers began replacing their truck-garden crops with fruit orchards, and the area became known for its fine fruit. People came from all over the valley to buy fruit from this area. About 1934, Alma Farnsworth moved into the area and established a large fox farm. In the early 1940s, the Erekson brothers established a large fur farm across from Butler Middle School and employed several of the young men in the area who, in turn, started their own fur farms. Fur farming soon became the main source of second income for people in the area, replacing fruit farming. A large egg business and a large turkey farm were also started in the area. About 1953, development of the community and building of subdivisions began, bringing agriculture and fur farming to an end.”
“South Butler School
The South Butler School was built about 1892 at 2235 East on the north side of Creek Road (8200 South). The school was built of brick, and the foundation was granite rock. Using a team of horses and a wagon, David Alma Proctor hauled the rock from Little Cottonwood Canyon. After this school closed, all but two of the children went to Union School. The children who went to Union were transported by a horse-drawn covered wagon. Neri Butler was one of the drivers. In about 1919 or 1920, the school was torn down, and the brick was hauled to Union to build the Burgon Market on the corner of Union Avenue (about 7200 South) and 900 East.”
The little reservoir is frozen.
Duckies!
The fun covered pedestrian bridge ahead.
Flag at the middle trailhead.
“In Recognition
“And so, my fellow Americans: Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.”
John F. Kennedy
January 20, 1961
In memory of all the men and women of the Cottonwood Heights area who have served their country and their community.
B.S.A. Troop 1571 Eagle Scout Project
April 20, 2015”
The other signs were erected in 2013 so this was an add-on. At least it matches.
The reservoir again.
“Granite-Butler Church
On July 1, 1877, the Granite Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was created. The residents of both the Granite and Butlerville communities were included. Since most of the people were settling near the mouth of the two canyons, a chapel was built halfway between the two towns. James Muir, William Thompson, and Andrew Hansen Sr. were the committee chosen to oversee the construction. Building began January 20, 1886, and was completed for dedication on July 1, 1892. Granite rock from Little Cottonwood Canyon was used to construct the chapel, which was oval-shaped and approximately 30 feet by 40 feet. The building was located at about 8600 South Wasatch Boulevard on the west side of the street. The location did not work out; the Granite Ward was divided on March 12, 1901, and the new Butler Ward was created. This left the Granite-Butler building vacant. Most of the stones used to build the building were eventually hauled away by residents in the area.”
The neat covered bridge again.
From the end.
The reservoir downstream.
Upstream Big Cottonwood Creek.
“Mining
In the early 1860s, mining took off in the Salt Lake Valley. Many mining claims were filed in Little Cottonwood Canyon, and the town of Emmaville sprang up as a halfway camping ground for the miners and ore haulers. The town was located at the southeast end of Danish Road, along the banks of Little Willow Creek. As many as 500 people lived or stayed there during the latter part of the 1860s. By the end of 1871, due to an epidemic, a fire, and the coming of the railroad to Granite, Emmaville was in decline and moved about 1½ miles further up the canyon, nearer the railroad terminus. Emmaville became known as “Rag Town” because of its numerous tents. With the extension of the railroad to the granite quarry in 1873, the town moved again close to Wasatch Resort in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Another town called Gold City sprung up briefly about 1895. This town was located in the area of the present-day “Golden Hills” subdivision in support of a very promising gold mine. After only a few months of operation, the mine fizzled out and Gold City was short-lived. In 1870 the Big Cottonwood Mine District was established. It too brought people into the area, either filing claims, operating or working in the mines, hauling supplies for the mines, or hauling ore to the smelters. The mining industry in both canyons provided jobs for many residents of the area. Some of the residents even filed mining claims and operated their own mines for a time.”
One of several wayfinding signs to help keep you on the trail.
The creek.
“Tithing House
Mormon pioneers followed their church's teachings of donating one-tenth of their annual increase to the Church. Because cash was scarce, people most often paid their tithing with goods they had grown or produced. The contributions were collected and stored at the Tithing House and then distributed as needed to those in the community. For a time, the Tithing House was also used as a collection place for rags being sold to the Deseret News Company for use in the paper mill. Rags were brought to the Tithing House and exchanged for scrip. The original Tithing House was located in the “Old Mill” area. The Tithing House was eventually moved to the Butler Bench and located between the farms of Bishop Alva Butler and Asa Maxfield. The building was moved again and was preserved for many years at the Cowley residence on 7000 South.”
You know, some of these that say they still exist, or parts of it still exist, I just can’t seem to find. Dang.
Nice little clearing.
I do love me a fun, whimsical trailside Christmas tree, but only if whoever does it comes back to clean it up. Dude, it’s February. At this point it is litter.
“Silica Beds
In the foothills above Wasatch Boulevard, north of the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon, is an area that was known as the “Silica Beds.” In 1910 the Utah Fireclay Company opened a mine at that location. Silica and clay were needed to make the bricks used to line the furnaces of the smelters. The mine owners built an aerial tramway that extended about 1½ miles to a place near the canyon road where the ore was loaded onto trucks and taken to a plant to be made into bricks and furnace linings. The mine was eventually abandoned with the discovery that the silica contained too much iron ore, causing the bricks to be of poor quality.”
I don’t know if they are still there, but the area above is a large strip mine called Granite Construction Co. There is a Silica Pit in Corner Canyon that is pretty easy to access though.
We found an old sign that is no longer erect and was lying on the ground. “Caution debris boom ahead expect debris no passage” Neither of us know what a debris boom is. I initially thought it might be referring to the construction along the trail last year, but looking up debris boom it appears to be a term about containing floating trash and debris in the water, and the picture on the sign looks like a creek. So.. I am guessing it is supposed to be a warning to people on the water? I donno. I have not heard of people kayaking this creek, but anything is possible I guess.
“Ern and Molly Green Cabin
Ernest Green was the son of Alvin Washington Green and Alice Maria Jane White. His family lived on the hillside northwest of the “Old Mill.” His wife, Molly, was the daughter of Neri Bulter and Mary Elizabeth McGhie. During the early 1900s, Ern, with the help of his brothers, built a large, two-story log cabin at the north end of his parents’ property. The bottom floor consisted of one very large room with a kitchen area at one end. Ern, Molly, and their children lived upstairs, and the large room on the bottom floor was used to hold dances for the community. During the summers, Ern ran a livery stable at Brighton and Molly did laundry for the people living there. Ern died in 1942. Molly then moved out of the big cabin to a smaller house on the other side of the lane. Molly also ran the stables at Brighton, which she did until 1953. She died in 1963. Ern and Molly were people well known both at Brighton and Butlerville. A restaurant at Brighton bears Molly’s name, and many of the long-time residents have a “Molly Green story” to tell.”
Well, I’ll be, Molly Green’s still exists at Brighton. Though I believe it is named for her, and not actually owned by her. Also, I am guessing it is probably only a ski season place? But meh, maybe I will look into it some more this summer. (Image from google maps).
There are several nice benches along the trail to take a rest on.
The Old Mill. More on that in a minute.
The creek.
The Old Mill again.
“Cedar Tree
The lone cedar tree, located east of here, was planted by Leander Neri Butler at the birth of his daughter, Eva, in 1894. This cedar is one of the earliest trees planted in the area. Leander Neri Butler was the son of Leander Butler. Leander Butler was one of the five Butler brothers who were early settlers of the area. Leander sold 20 acres of his property to the Deseret News Company in 1881, and the original paper mill was built on his property.”
I am not 100% sure, but I suspect this might be the cedar tree in front of the Old Mill.
The Old Mill, or well, more officially the Cottonwood Paper Mill.
Part of why I wanted to come back and do this trail again is because they are once again talking about developing the area and possibly demolishing it. Thankfully the most recent public meeting the people showed up and showed we care about this building and want to keep it. So, final decisions have been delayed… for now. I am hopeful, but it is Utah. Money talks, politicians are absolutely for sale. So, we will see. So, as I mentioned this kind of gave me a little push to come see it again. That seems to be a common theme lately.
Similar angle from 1869. Image from Wikipedia.
Closer.
Closer view of some of the windows.
Another wayfinding sign, and the crosswalk across Big Cottonwood Canyon Road.
After crossing the road, the trail heads right or east. But… we took a small detour.
The mill again.
Alright, that was a fun little side adventure, back to the main trail.
Big Cottonwood Creek, upstream.
Now we will be following Big Cottonwood Canyon Road for a little bit.
Passing by the Hog Wallow. It’s always pretty busy, but this is ski season busy. Oof.
The Hog Wallow.
“It is the latest reincarnation of the oldest and most notorious bar in the Cottonwood Heights area. Established in 1947 by a returning World War II veteran who converted an abandoned Civilian Conservation Corps bunkhouse into an out-of-the-way watering hole he named "The Branding Iron." Over the years, the bar has undergone several name changes, including The Wagon Wheel, Demete's, The Fox and Bottle Inn, and D. J.'s Beer Garden. In 1996, Keith Biesinger transformed the bar into The Hog Wallow Pub and it continues to be owned and operated by his family.”
From their about us page.
It's another good option to stop for a bite and a pint.
People have built random cairns in the poor residents rock bed.
the 1 1/4 mile marker. The 1 mile marker appears to be missing.
Continuing along.
Crossing Canyon Creek Road.
Random string of CD’s tossed into this tree.
Big field that I am surprised has not been developed yet.
Continuing along.
The mine above.
This part of the trail was not paved until a few years ago.
Here the trail curves away from the road again. Yay.
The McGhie Springs property. More on that in a minute.
“CCC Camp
A Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp, known as the Big Cottonwood Camp, was located on a flat just south of the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon. The camp was originally occupied in July of 1935. The boys of the Big Cottonwood CCC Camp were mostly Catholic and were from New York and New Jersey. Alf Engen, the famous ski champion, was a senior foreman at the camp. Several Forest Service projects were completed by the Big Cottonwood CCC Camp including the Brighton Loop Road, Spruces Water System, Storm Mountain Water System, foot trails, ski runs, and ski jumps, Redman Campground entrance, Ledgemere and Birches picnic grounds, and the Little Willow Trail. In December 1937, the CCC also finished the log ski shelter at the Utah Outdoor Camp at the Alf Engen ski jump. In July 1942 after WWII broke out, the camp was closed and then used to house German nationals who were interred there for the duration of the way.”
Huh… a lot to unpack here. But between this, and what I learned about Hog Wallow, it would seem that it was originally part of the camp. Neat. I also did not know that about Alf.
The trail and Big Cottonwood Canyon above.
It is a little more wild back here.
“Ice House and Pond
In 1894, the community began using the ice pond from the old Butler Brewery to supply and store ice for community use during the summer months. An ice house, or storage facility, was built into the hillside, lined with stone and filled with sawdust and straw. Ice was harvested two or three times each winter, and in really cold winters as many as four harvests were made. People in the community gathered on harvest day as the ice was cut into two-foot-square blocks about one foot deep. A horse pulled the ice from the pond, which was then packed in sawdust and stacked in the ice house. This operation continued until refrigeration became available many years later.”
Some old rusted metal bits.
The creek.
Hillside in the McGhie Springs area.
Random tree blind… but that doesn’t make any sense, there can’t be much wildlife in here. So, maybe the beginnings of a tree fort?
“Butler Brewery and Hotel
In 1869 Philander Butler settled on eight acres of land above the location of the “Old Mill.” For those hauling lumber, ore, and stone out of Big Cottonwood Canyon, Butler’s place became an overnight stop where one could rest, eat, and get something to drink. Newspaper articles referred to this place as the Butler Hotel. In 1871, he was granted a license to sell liquor. Capitalizing on this business, he built a brewery on the property. He diverted water from Big Cottonwood Creek to form a pond used in the process of making beer. In 1881, he sold the brewery property to the Deseret News Company for $800. William McGhie Jr. ran the Butler Brewery and Hotel for a couple of years, which then became known as “McGhie’s Tavern".””
It looks like there some remains of a cement wall back there. I don’t know if it is related to the Butler Hotel or brewery or not.
“First Post Office
In 1867 William McGhie Jr., along with his wife and children, settle on land at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon. He and his wife, Mary, had five sons and seven daughters. The McGhie place, with its rental stables, became a way station for those hauling limber, ore, and stone from Big Cottonwood Canyon. In 1892 William McGhie Jr. was designated as the first postmaster for Butlerville. The post office was located in his home. From 1892 to 1900, mail was delivered twice a week by horse and buggy to residents in Butlerville and Big Cottonwood Canyon. in 1900 a free rural delivery route from Sandy began. The Butlerville Post Office was closed June 14, 1902.”
Another little cement wall that may or may not be related.
The creek.
The McGhie Springs area with a chlorine warning.
Little waterfall.
Closer, with some chunks of ice too.
Longer exposure.
Some ice on the trail.
“No Trespassing Murray City Property Violators will be prosecuted.”
So why does Murray City have a patch of property in Cottonwood Heights? Well, we are about to find out. Again, this is in the McGhie Springs area.
Continuing up.
“McGhie Springs
McGhie Springs was comprised of several crystal-clear springs flowing from the hillside on the McGhie property. The water from these springs irrigated the McGhie property as well as some of their neighbors’ land. In 1912 the McGhie property, including the springs, was sold to Hyrum Covert. In 1919 Murray City negotiated with Hyrum Covert and Dr. William T. Cannon to purchase 9 1/2 acres of land and the rights to McGhie Springs. Hyrum Covert was paid $4,750 and Mrs. Ada Cannon was paid $8,372.20. Murray City obtained the right-of-way for the McGhie Ditch and other easements necessary to run a pipe from the springs to a large reservoir located above 1300 East and west of the old Butler School on 7000 South. McGhie Springs is still used as part of the Murray City water Supply.”
The people of Murray City were super smart in securing resources to ensure their future. As I understand it, they also own the power plant near the bottom of Little Cottonwood Canyon along the Little Cottonwood Trail.
Also, I wondered if the reservoir we passed by earlier was the reservoir this sign mentions, but, that reservoir is filled by the creek, so probably not. Also, upon further review that is not quite the right area either.
I have nothing really to back this up other than just a total guess, but I suspect it might have been at or near Mountview Park.
The McGhie property on the other side.
The creek below, Wasatch Blvd. above. and some random barricades that appear to have fallen from it.
Very tall and narrow tree.
The creek.
“Cottonwood Heights Black Pioneers
Among the vanguard company of pioneers arriving in the Salt Lake Valley on July 22, 1847 were three black slaves, sent ahead by their owners to assist Brigham Young and his company and build homes for their owners. One of these was Green Flake, who after building a cabin, returned to Winter Quarters, Nebraska. In October 1848, Flake returned to Salt Lake with his owner and the “Mississippi Saints.”
Green Flake was granted his freedom shortly thereafter and moved with his family to the area known as Union. His homestead was located at about 7000 South 1300 East. During the 1850’s, most of the other black slaves who had come to Utah with their owners were also emancipated. The majority of them moved to the Union area, establishing a community of about 30 to 40 black residents. Some eventually obtained land grants that extended as far east as 2300 East in Butlerville. The area was known as “Poverty Flats.” Others living in the black community were the families of Joseph Williams, Miles Litchford, Hark Lay Wells, Daniel Freeman, George Stevens, and Edward Woods. Others, not named, are buried in the Union Pioneer Cemetery on Creek Road.
Steven K. Madsen wrote, “They were stalwarts in the church (The Church of Jesus Christ on Latter-day Saints), active in civic functions and they played a key role in the economic and civil development of the entire Union area.” Rarely in that era did any black populations wield such prominence, influence, and respect in a predominantly white community than did this group of black pioneers.
By 1896 Green Flake, who was considered the leader among this group, had sold his property in Union and moved to Idaho. By 1900 all of the other black families had followed him or left the area. Green Flake is among the black pioneers buried in the Union Pioneer Cemetery.”
I get it is historically accurate, but it still feels super gross to refer to humans as slaves and owners.
Rocks that have tumbled down against the fence.
“Lumber Industry
On March 10, 1848, John Brown left Mississippi with a group of 54 people - 34 whites, and 24 black servants - and headed to Winter Quarters, Nebraska. There they were joined by others from Mississippi, making a group of 57 whites and 34 black servants. This group was known as the “Mississippi Saints.” They arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on October 16, 1848. They first camped on the flat area at the south side of the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon where a CCC camp would later be built. John Brown, the leader of the group wrote, “… it was finally concluded for us to settle between the cottonwoods. I went to the canyon and got down some logs and built a cabin for the winter.”
With the arrival each year of new groups of pioneers into the valley, the need for lumber to build homes, fences, and other buildings increased, and soon Big Cottonwood Canyon became the largest supplier for the increasing population. Sawmills were built and people seeking employment began settling near the mouth of the canyon to provide support for these mills. The Maxfield brothers were among the first settlers of the area to provide logs for Mills A and B; they later purchased Mill A. Other residents, including the Butler brothers, were owners and operators of some of the mills. A.W. Green also operated Mill D for awhile before building his own mill east of what is now the Spruces Campground. William S. Covert ran Mill B for Brigham Young’s son. Many others worked in the mills or hauled logs, lumber, and supplies. During the pioneers’ first 20 years in the valley, the lumber industry was a significant source of income to the area residents.”
Continuing up.
A repeat of the “Welcome to the Cottonwood Heights Historic Walk” sign.
Reviewing the signs today, It was clearly meant to start on this, east end. But that’s alright, I still got the gist of things.
Trail split. Right leads to the west side of Wasatch Blvd. Left to the east side and the Park and Ride lot.
The creek and Wasatch Blvd.
The creek seems a little more full here. I wonder if it might be diverted somewhere below.
Another small waterfall.
Again.
Heading underneath Wasatch.
The creek.
Here you have the option of stairs, or a ramp. Both will get you up to the Big Cottonwood Park and Ride, or the far east end of the trail.
We opted for the ramp today.
Big Cottonwood Canyon and the Park and Ride lot.
Trail map and rules from this end.
There is not a pedestrian trail further up, just road. But there are quite a few adventures to be found up canyon from here, starting with the Dogwood Picnic Area and other picnic areas that I linked above.
Well, no fantastic destination today, but this trail is about the adventure. Anyway, we had plans to meet the framily so time to head on back.
Heading back under Wasatch.
Again.
The creek.
Again.
Tall skinny twin trees.
The creek.
The McGhie Springs property.
Little waterfall.
The creek.
I am not 100% sure, but I think this is one of the springs that they have capped off and diverted.
Pretty burgundy plants.
Forest.
The rusty equipment again.
The west end of the McGhie Springs property.
Back to Big Cottonwood Canyon Road.
Again, this part was not paved before and was just a very thin shoulder. I am glad that they paved it. Playing around on google earth, it looks like that happened in ~2019.
The strip mine above.
Panoramic.
Twin Peaks behind us.
Water valve. I wonder if this is Murray’s pipeline.
Continuing along the road.
Another little spring on this farm.
The Canyon Creed Road crossing again.
The mile marker signs are double sided so they increase no matter which end you start on. So now this is the 3/4 mile marker.
The Hog Wallow again.
Crossing the creek again.
The Old Mill again. I was half expecting the robot security unit to yell at us again. But it didn’t. I guess you have to go down a little further.
Crossing Big Cottonwood Canyon Road. Again, there is a dedicated crosswalk, and it is not a super busy road.
The no dumping sign.
The creek continuing downstream.
The Old Mill again.
Here the trail departs from the road again.
The creek again.
The Old Mill.
Again.
Panoramic.
Little clearing.
Twin Peaks.
Trailside Christmas tree again.
The creek again.
The middle trailhead again.
The covered bridge again.
Inside.
Downstream towards the reservoir. I guess that red thing is the debris boom.
Upstream with Twin Peaks.
North.
South.
Outside.
Continuing down.
The reservoir again.
Kind of gloomy out.
Twin Peaks again.
Closer.
The reservoir.
The top of the spillway.
This rock used to have a mile marker on it.
Bottom of the spillway.
More random CD’s in the trees.
The recently redone section again.
The creek again.
Back through the retail section. There are a few really good options for food, or even food and booze in here if you want a break.
The 3000 East crossing. It takes FOREVER for the light to turn for the pedestrian crossing.
1 1/2 mile marker.
The bridge for Market Street Grill again.
Closer.
Underneath.
Your standard truss bridge that are very common along our creeks.
Upstream.
Downstream.
Back through the office buildings.
Past the parking garage.
It looks like there might have been a fire in there at some time? Plus a random plow attachment that probably hasn’t even been needed at all this year yet. This winter sucks.
1 3/4 miles.
Back underneath i215.
Back to Knudsen Park. I think this is the end of the mileage of the trail. But just a short ~1/4 mile or so back to the parking lot.
We opted for the east trail back to the parking lot. They appear to be pretty equal distance wise, but this one will swing past the restrooms.
Continuing along.
The restrooms and playground.
Well, the restroom lights were on, but they were locked.
Picnic area.
Some fun holiday lights still at nearby Tuscany.
Well, that was fun! I am glad we explored a little bit more around the outskirts of the Old Mill before whatever it’s fate might be. I also enjoyed the bridges, and the history to be learned along the way. Plus, for a city trail it is quite pretty, even if it passes through a corporate and retail area, then a neighborhood. Meh, 8 out of 10 squirrels.
As for difficulty, it is completely paved now. DR2.
Dogs are allowed, leashed. Please clean up after your furry friends.
