Hike of the week: East Mountain Wilderness Park - Davis County

If you are looking for a short and easy hike, East Mountain Wilderness Park is a great choice. The only complaint I had with the park is the noise from the shooting range above it. The noise is less noticeable as you hike north on the loop. From the parking lot, the trail starts at the sign for East Mountain Wilderness Park. As you pass the sign the trail starts on a service road and heads north along scrub oaks. The last time I hiked the park, there were exercise stations along the way. Since then, these stations have been removed.

At .40 miles you come to a junction for the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Stay on the service road to the left. There is a sitting bench just past the junction if you need a break. After the bench you arrive at a road split; stay to the left. Watch for a trail on the left after this split. I saw a broken arrow sign on the ground directing hikers to the trail. As the trail starts back south, there is another sitting bench on the left side. The trail travels down the center of the park, with a few arrows showing the way. You arrive at an open meadow and the trail heads toward picnic tables under the trees. This is a great family hike!

Destination — Loop

Difficulty — Easy

Round trip miles — 1.3 miles

Hiking time — 1 hour

Accumulative gain — 140 ft.

Trailhead restrooms — No

Dogs allowed — Yes, on leash