View west up the canyon, overlooking a beaver pond.

Mormon Trail (Little Emigration Canyon)
This single-track trail follows the path of the Donner Party, Pony Express, and Mormon pioneers from East Canyon up to Big Mountain Pass overlooking Emigration Canyon. The trail is 4.6 miles long, for a 9.2 mile out-and-back bike trip. Vertical rise is 1400 feet, to an altitude of 7400 feet at the pass. Technical difficulty is intermediate overall, but there are a few rocky, tricky creek crossings that can be challenging. At the top of the pass, it links to the Mormon Pioneer Trail.

The trail starts at the pioneer camp site just off the East Canyon road, GPS N 40° 48.944' W 111° 35.080'. (Cross the narrow footbridge to the other side of East Canyon Creek.) Initial altitude is 6000 feet. After meandering through willows, the trail climbs gradually up the side of a small creek.
The trail ends at highway U-65 at the ridge line. There's a historical marker here. GPS N 40° 49.687' W 111° 39.244'. The Great Western Trail can be seen heading south from the historical marker, and north across the road. Heading downhill across the parking area, the Mormon Pioneer Trail (Donner Trail) heads down towards Parley's Canyon. NOTE: dogs are NOT allowed west of the summit!
At the summit, you can link to the rides on the Great Western Trail -- the Lookout Peak - Big Mountain Loop and the Bald Mountain Loop.
Mormon Trail Map

Getting there: Take I-80 eastbound from Salt Lake. Just after Parley's Summit, take the Jeremy Ranch exit and turn north (left) under the freeway. Turn left at the first stop sign, then take the next right (Jeremy Ranch Drive). Continue until the road turns sharply around to the right, where you'll see the dirt East Canyon Road branching off to the left. Drive four miles up the dirt road until you see the parking area for the trail (and picnic tables and a bathroom) on your left. GPS N 40° 48.944' W 111° 35.080'. (Some bikers have a shuttle drop them off at the summit on U-65, then meet them in Jeremy Ranch.)

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Trail conditions change, and the layout of a trail may change without notice. Use this trail guide at your own risk.