Friday Five 2.0: 5 Favorite Trails to Run in the Winter

Today is Friday and I figured I’d give the Friday Five 2.0 Linkup a try. I’ll go ahead and tell you my five favorite trails to run in the winter. Thanks to Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for hosting the linkup.

Bonneville Shoreline Trail – As many miles or vert as I want

This is my go-to trail that’s closest to my house and is probably where I get most of my weekly mileage. I can get in about any kind of run here. Mt Wire is along the trail if I want to cover a lot of vertical gain and plenty of miles in case I need a long run. The trail remains low enough throughout most of it to avoid snow and ice, even after the worst of storms. If it’s too snowy for the Bonneville Shoreline, it’s probably too snowy for any trail in the Wasatch.

Grandeur Peak Loop – 10 miles and 3200 feet of gain

The Grandeur loop climbs 3000 feet from a parking lot in the valley and comes back down the Church Fork trail in Mill Creek. If you run down the trail to Wasatch Blvd, you can loop the trail around back to the car. It’s only 10 miles, but it’s long and exhausting. It’s a really great loop if you need a challenging trail and a big climb. It can be done in almost any weather, although I would not want to take it on during a very bad storm.

Little Black Mountain – 8-9 miles and 2000 feet of gain

Little Black rises up above the northern end of Salt Lake City. It’s not the biggest mountain, but when the temperatures drop, it’s a fun one to run. Normally in the spring and fall, I like to run it as a 14 mile loop, but in the winter, I run Little Black as an out and back to the peak. The trail can get a little icy at the top, and if it does, I’ll stop just short of the summit. It’s a great view of the Valley but is a gentle enough trail to allow for a fair amount of running both up and down the mountain.

Heughs Canyon Trail – 4.5 miles and 700 feet of gain

Heughs Canyon is great for a short easy day. The trail starts at the same trailhead as Mt. Olympus, but once Mt. Olympus really starts to climb, the trail splits off and levels a bit as it approaches the canyon and a waterfall. The trail is great in the winter except for the very end where it can get icy. Otherwise, the trail is fun, gives some pretty great views and is almost always fantastic regardless of the weather.

Pipeline Trail – Any Mileage up to 18 and little vert

The Pipeline is the flattest trail in the Wasatch. It starts in Millcreek Canyon and can be used to get to either Mt. Aire or to the Church Fork Trail up Grandeur Peak. The trail gives some great views of the canyon and can be used to get any mileage up to about 18 (unless you climb a mountain, where you could get much more mileage). Since the trail is so flat, there is almost no weather that will make this trail too snowy.

If you are ever in Salt Lake City or live in the area, check out some of these trails! Each offers awesome views and challenges, but are safe and fun for the crazy winter months. Thanks again to Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for hosting the linkup.