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This is a moderately challenging loop with wildflowers and views to sustain hikers.


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Map Key

3.9

Miles

6.3

KM

Point to Point

9,149' 2,789 m

High

8,128' 2,477 m

Low

1,058' 322 m

Up

1,057' 322 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

57%

Max Grade (30°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

This featured hike combines two enjoyable, foot-traffic-only trails into a loop with good views to the east and west. You'll see Jordanelle Reservoir, the Uinta Mountains and Deer Valley from this hike.

Description

The Deer Valley and Park City areas can feel overrun with mountain bikers, but the Silver Lake to Ontario Loop is designated a foot-traffic only trail, so you're guaranteed more tranquility.

Begin this loop from the Silver Lake Village base area just east (left) of the Sterling Express chairlift on the Little Reb ski run. Head uphill on the wide dirt access road, first along the Nabob ski run before veering off to cross several ski runs in a southeasterly direction, popping in and out of strips of aspen and fir. The first chairlift you'll pass under is the Wasatch Express, then Sultan Express before reaching the top of the Mayflower lift. Here, turn sharply south and start contouring around the backside of Bald Mountain on a singletrack path across open the fields of Mayflower Bowl. Look behind to enjoy the views on this east side of Bald Mountain where you can see the Jordanelle Reservoir and, in the distance, the Uinta Mountains.

Upon reaching the wide service road at the top of Bald Mountain (also called the Homeward Bound ski run), follow signs for the Ontario Canyon Trail. There are a lot of other trails and many junctions in this open scrubby field. You'll have to travel on some switchbacking mountain bike trails (Naildriver or Homeward Bound are good options) initially to reach the start of the Ontario Canyon Trail.

Once on the Ontario Canyon Trail, you'll hike steeply downhill towards the snowmaking pond just west of the Bald Mountain summit and its numerous chairlift termini. Keep and eye out for interesting old silver mining equipment along the length of this trail. Pass along the pond's eastern edge and join the Homeward Bound ski run again briefly. Emerge from the forest into a valley clearing where the Ontario ski run diverges from the Homeward Bound ski run. Take the wide, sunny Ontario Canyon trail all the way downhill until just before a large set of ski area maintenance buildings appears ahead. Stay on the dirt road that skirts the right (east) side of this complex. The loop ends at the bottom of the Sterling Express chairlift at the Silver Lake Village base area.

Shared By:

Megan W

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 9 votes

#1

in Deer Valley

#3450

Overall
  4.0 from 9 votes
5 Star
22%
4 Star
56%
3 Star
22%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Deer Valley

#214

in Utah

#3,450

Overall
3 Views Last Month
9,114 Since Mar 22, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
13%
63%
0%
25%
0%

Photos

Silver Lake Trail in Park City
Mar 24, 2015 near Park City, UT
Busy day on the Sliver Lake Trail
Mar 24, 2015 near Park City, UT
Views of Jordanelle Res.
Mar 24, 2015 near Park City, UT
Aspens along the trail
Mar 23, 2015 near Park City, UT

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Check-Ins

Oct 10, 2020
Qingyao Ai
Aug 11, 2019
Chris Merrill
Beautiful at the top 4.1mi — 2h 04m
Jul 5, 2019
Chase Shaver
Jul 4, 2019
Mar Torres
Jun 29, 2019
Mar Torres
Aug 19, 2018
Hailee Reist
3.9mi
Aug 16, 2018
Julienne Frederico
Jul 23, 2018
Ashleigh Hike
extra wandering at the top! 4.5mi
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