Hiking to Parley's Canyon Overlook

Hiking to Parley’s Canyon Overlook

Parley’s Canyon Overlook (marked as Peak 6,299 ft on maps) is a short & steep yet rewarding hike. The overlook looks East into Parley’s Canyon, and you have an amazing view of the West Ridge of Grandeur Peak. Looking West, you get a great view of the SLC Valley, making this a perfect sunset hike as well. There are several trails you can take, making it fun to create a loop or just explore a slightly different area each time you hike here. This is a brand new trail head and parking area in a new development, so let’s keep it clean so that hikers continue to have access even after the houses are built.

Contents hide

4.1 Three ways to reach the overlook – pick your route!

5 Recommended Gear

6 Nearby Hike

7 Save me on Pinterest!

7.1 Share the love!

Directions

Google maps is outdated, and doesn’t show the newly paved road to reach the parking lot for this trail head. From I-215 head North on Foothill Drive, and turn right on 2100 S. Turn right again on Lakeline Drive. Turn left on Benchmark Dr. It will say Dead End, but keep going. As of April 2020, there is a construction gate but you are allowed to continue through. Drive all the way to the end of this new road and park at the end.

Here is a driving map up until Benchmark Drive.

Trail Info

Distance:

Main trail: 0.8 miles one way

South Trail: 0.8 miles one way

North Ridge: 1.4 miles one way

Elevation gain:

Main trail: 990 ft

South Trail: 1,007 ft

North Ridge: 1,060 ft

Time: Roughly an hour RT

Dog friendly? Yes, off leash

Kid friendly? No, due to steepness

Fees/Permits? None

Turning left on Benchmark Drive, you will see a dead end sign. Continue past this, through a temporary construction gate, until you reach the end of the road.

The brand new TH and parking area. As of April 2020 there are no signs regarding hiking, but I can see that in the near future with the homes being built that it will be very limited soon.

The sign “recommends” keeping dogs on leash but it is not required. However you should always have a leash handy in case you see wildlife or hike by other dogs that are leashed.

Start by hiking up the main trail. It dips down, then right back up.

The entire hike you will be hiking East, along a ridge. The trail is very wide.

At 0.4 miles the trail splits. Here you have the option of going either way – both of which will take you to Parley’s Canyon Overlook. I prefer hiking left, then looping down from the right.

The trail gets very steep. Make sure you have good hiking shoes and a trekking pole to help. The trail takes you right between these two trees.

Already amazing views. See the trail just ahead? That is the other trail you can take.

The trail levels out for a few minutes before one last push to the overlook.

At 0.8 miles reach Parley’s canyon Overlook! This is now one of my favorite spots – the views can’t be beat up here!

Checking out the ridge line. Three days later when I came back to do this same trail, all the snow was melted! Crazy.

Charlie strikes a pose in the wind with Grandeur Peak in the distance.

Soooo happy to be outside exploring new trails!

Make sure you carry plenty of water and sunblock – there is zero shade on this trail and can get really hot mid-summer.

I like to make this a loop, and hike down the North Ridge. This is looking back at the Overlook, from where we just hiked from. My photo from 3 days prior showed snow and it was already gone from here!

The trail kind of fades out as you make your way over to the North Ridge, but its really easy cross-country hiking so just pick a route that looks good. Once you reach the ridge you’ll be back on a well traveled trail.