Deer Creek Dam to Soldier Hollow trail is now open

MIDWAY — Someday, and not too far off, bikers, or even spirited hikers, will be able to go from the Great Salt Lake, along the Jordan River, up Provo Canyon and turn north past Soldier Hollow, Jordanelle Reservoir and end up in the town of Echo on a trail void of cars, trucks and stoplights.

Early Saturday, a major section in the Jordan River Parkway/Deer Creek trail was officially opened — from the Deer Creek Dam to Soldier Hollow, a distance of 7 1/2 miles.

There are still a couple of missing sections in the Great Salt Lake-to-Heber trail. One of those being from the mouth of Provo Canyon, along the Provo River to the dam.

That section of trail will be finished once road construction work in the canyon has been completed.

There are plans to extend the trail north, past the reservoir and link up with the Rails to Trails portion out of Park City that goes to Echo.

Because of construction and heavy equipment near the dam, officials are recommending that those using the new trail start from the Soldier Hollow trailhead.

The concept for the extended trail was born back in 1993. The main section was the Jordan River Parkway, which falls under the control of the Division of Parks and Recreation, which also oversees Soldier Hollow, Wasatch State Park and Jordanelle.

Over the years, other sections have been completed and more are in the works.

Work on the Soldier Hollow section, which runs along the western side of Deer Creek Reservoir and follows, albeit not too closely at times, the Heber Valley Railroad, began back on April 1.

The 8-foot-wide trail has a compacted-gravel surface, and is open to non-motorized use only, meaning bikes, horses and foot traffic. Because this is a watershed area, no dogs are allowed.

"The grade along this section of trail is pretty gentle," said Trish Murphy, trails coordinator for Wasatch County. "There are a couple of steep sections but nothing too difficult.

"The scenery along the trail, though, is spectacular . . . the back side of Mount Timpanogos, the reservoir, the open country, the wildlife; it's pretty spectacular."

The first 2 1/2 miles of the trail are on state property, the remaining five miles are on private property. The Soldier Creek trailhead is located a little east of the main clubhouse at the Olympic venue.