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35 Northern Utah Hikes So Easy You should Take Your Grandma

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harm 9 May 2016

We've teamed up with Utah's Adventure Family to make one #UTAWESOME list!

*****When we originally wrote this post, we were thinking more of hikes your KIDS grandmas could do. We've updated the list to include notes "more difficult." Some of them are more difficult because they are pretty steep. But all of the hikes were done with young children either walking or riding on our backs. Everyone is at different levels of fitness, so please be sure to read each post to make sure it's for you and your family.

Bair Creek Hike | Kaysville

SnowShoeing/Hiking Wheeler Creek Trail | Ogden

While this shows winter snowshoeing, I saw many people of all ages snowshoeing on this trail.

Silver Lake Loop Trail | Brighton

Grotto Falls | Payson

Fairy Land | Uinta National Forest

Holbrook Canyon Trail | Bountiful

Wild Rose Viewpoint Trail | North Salt Lake

Ogden Nature Center | Ogden

Most are gravel or dirt trails. We've pushed strollers through some of the paths too.

Adams Canyon Lower Falls | Layton

The switchbacks can be tough, but really it can be done under 30 minutes to get to the falls! We've hiked with kids 2-9 on this. Some walked, some were carried.

Cascade Springs | Midway

Davis Creek Waterfalls & Indian Bathtubs Trails | Farmington

Holbrook Canyon Trail | Bountiful

Stokes Nature Center | Logan Canyon

Tony Grove | Logan Canyon

Limber Pine Trail | Logan Canyon

Teapot Lake | Mirror Lake Highway

Mirror Lake | Mirror Lake Highway

Bell Canyon Reservoir | Little Cottonwood Canyon

Fehr Lake | Mirror Lake Highway

Provo River Falls | Mirror Lake Highway

Nobletts Hike | Kamas

Birdsong Trail | Ogden

Ensign Peak | Salt Lake City

Lisa Falls | Little Cottonwood Canyon

Rocky Mouth Falls |  Sandy

Hidden Falls | Big Cottonwood Canyon

Stairs Gulch | Big Cottonwood Canyon

Battle Creek Falls | Pleasant Grove

Buffalo Peak | Provo Canyon

Donut Falls | Big Cottonwood Canyon

Mormon Pioneer Trail | Emigration Canyon

Hidden Vally Trail | Ogden (more difficult)

This hike is long and steep but we hiked the trail with two children on our backs.

Patsy's Mine | Farmington (more difficult)

This hike is steep. We didn't know about the service road, so we hiked extra. We've hiked this twice with kids ranging from 2-9 and adults from 20-50 yrs. To read about the hike and how to get to the service road read Utah's Adventure Family.

Hiking Flag Rock | Farmington (more difficult)

An extension of Patsy's Mine above.

Adams Canyon | Layton (more difficult)

This hike is steep but can be done with younger kids.

Timpanogos Cave | American Fork (more difficult)

Steep, but paved the whole way. Be sure to click on the link for Brittney's experience with her young kids.

We'd love to hear about your hikes! Leave us comments below and let us know how it went! Be sure to #TheSaltProject on your hiking adventures!

The Salt Project

Carol Thu, 05/19/2016 - 06:59

These all look like great hikes and I am excited to try some new ones. I was, however, surprised that Timpanogos Cave was listed. There is no way my grandma could do that hike. It is only 1 1/2 miles but it is a very steep climb.

steph Mon, 05/23/2016 - 22:36

Carol, thanks for commenting. We did specify that some of the hikes are more difficult. This being one of them. It made the cut because the trail is paved and has easy access for little kids or older adults. But it does take more endurance because it is so steep. We've updated the list to include the title "more difficult " Hope that helps clarify.

Dlynn Sore Thu, 06/02/2016 - 07:50

You are SO right, CAROL! As a grandma, I tried this one 10 years ago, and it took me HOURS because of the steep grade. As an even older grandma now, I wouldn't even consider it! On behalf of all of us grandmas, thank you, CAROL, for your posting!

mlee Thu, 05/19/2016 - 09:48

I don't know how old your grandma is, but Adam's canyon when the water level is higher is quite challenging--lots of rocks and steep places. I'd say it's tough for younger kids too.

RPA Fri, 05/20/2016 - 17:33

Timp. Cave is not a grandma hike. Ensign peak while short has some steep areas too. You should add the Granite Quarry up Little Cottonwood Canyon. That is a grandma hike.

steph Mon, 05/23/2016 - 22:39

Thanks for commenting. It made the cut because the trail is paved and has easy access for little kids or older adults. But it does take more endurance because it is so steep. We've updated the list to include the title "more difficult." Ensign peak made it because its' so short. In the posts we wrote up, we share the details of the hike. Hope that helps clarify. Granite Quarry looks awesome! Thanks for sharing. If you would like to share this hike on our blog please let me know. We would love share it.

Kellie Sat, 05/21/2016 - 22:38

I agree with others that these are not all easy. Today my family (including my children's grandparents) hiked Patsy's Mine. On the way back, I ran into at least three families who specifically mentioned seeing this. Unfortunately, it's not a super easy and family friendly hike. The fire road is only accessible from Farmington Canyon, so you most likely need to start from a lower parking lot and have almost half a mile of steep switchbacks. The mine is definitely worth seeing, but you'll have to carry elementary and younger aged children. It took an hour up to the mine as well as just shy of an hour back. My children's ages are 3 and 7, and we hike at least once a week. Hopefully that will help others who see this.
Maybe you could change the title to reflect the fact that these aren't all easy hikes.

steph Mon, 05/23/2016 - 22:43

Thanks for commenting. In the post we wrote details about our experience and the difficulty. We carried babies and we did have a grandma and 3 year olds that hiked the entire thing, that's why we added it to the list. So sorry that we didn't clarify properly. We will be sure to do so. We really just want to share the cool things in utah to do and give all the info we can so people know what to expect when they go. We appreciate your feed back and support.

Brad Mickelson Sun, 05/22/2016 - 18:54

Seriously? So easy I could take my Grandma on all of these hikes? Someone didn't do their homework. Anyone who has hiked up the trail to Timpanogos Cave KNOWS that it is long and steep and difficult. Not easy for Grandma. C'mon!

steph Mon, 05/23/2016 - 22:44

Thanks for commenting. We did specify that some of the hikes are more difficult. This being one of them. It made the cut because the trail is paved and has easy access for little kids or older adults. But it does take more endurance because it is so steep. Thats why we wrote "difficult" in the title. Hope that helps clarify. Thanks for your support and feed back! We are taking notes. We really want the site to be as helpful as possible.

Kathy Bringhurst Thu, 05/26/2016 - 12:19

I've read all the comments and being a "grandma" myself, I'm a bit insulted! We are not all that wimpy that we can't hike Timpanogos. I may have to stop a few times along the way, but I CAN do it. In case you're wondering, I'm 69 years young. All these hikes sound doable to me. I'll be back to report my experiences as I tackle these hikes with my grandkids. Thanks for the great choices!

Renata Thu, 06/02/2016 - 20:22

I agree with Kathy. I am in my 60's and have done Timpanogos at least 3 times. I have also climbed to Cecret Lake, which is also a great hike. Thanks for the rest. Will want to try them.

Lisa Mon, 05/30/2016 - 12:11

Actually, I am a 58 year old grandma and I hiked Timp in 100+ degrees last summer. And carried a 4 year old on my back part of the time. I was feeling pretty good about myself until I saw people close to 80 making that hike without heavy breathing! Slower, but steady! Hike on!!!

Alicia Tue, 05/31/2016 - 15:28

What a fun list! I'm excited to try some of these with the kiddos this summer. And maybe I just have a particularly awesome Grandma, but I'm pretty sure she could do most of these. :)

Jennifer Fri, 06/03/2016 - 07:54

Hi! I was wondering if there are any lakes like Silver loop or Ruth that can be seen on the drive from salt lake to Provo?

Suzanne Sat, 06/04/2016 - 08:32

Have just added these hikes to my bucket list for this summer. Thanks for making this list. Silly question, but how can I share this link on my Instagram?

Sharla Sat, 06/25/2016 - 20:27

Thanks for all the work you put into the info on these trails. The grandpa in my life is barely over 50 and might struggle to go on these hike. But we are more knowledgeable about the trails and which ones he will be the 'official base photographer'. Love your blog!! Love your logo!!

Suzanne Tue, 05/23/2017 - 14:51

I'm a gramma of 5 kids aged 15 months to 13. This is my first summer babysitting them. There's no way I can take them where me and my dogs hike. I'm one of the 'active 56 yr old grammas'. I needed this list for summer gramma duty. The kids are sedentary. :( Thanks for taking the time to compile the list. Poo on the whiners...it's HIKING! And if gramma doesn't make it the whole way, so what? Good for her for getting as far as she could in the clean outdoors. Have sense people.

Marilynn Wells… Mon, 05/29/2017 - 13:30

I really appreciate this list. It's a great starting point. I'm a grandma, and if I'm going on a hike with my grand-kids I would do some more research to make sure I can keep up. So nice to have a list to work from.
And... most of these hikes would be a great activity for a family reunion.

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