On the east side of Salt Lake City between the Point of the Mountain and the University of Utah are several glacier carved canyons: Little Cottonwood Canyon (U-210) terminating with Snowbird and Alta ski resorts, Big Cottonwood Canyon (U-190, U-152) leading to the resorts of Solitude and Brighton; Mill Creek Canyon, Parley's Canyon through which runs I-80 (Lincoln Highway) and Emigration Canyon which served as the access route for the early LDS Pioneers as they entered the Valley of the Great Salt Lake.

Mill Creek Canyon Road begins at E 3800 S and Wasatch Blvd. and ends ca. 10 miles east/southeast at Big Water Gulch. From there trails lead to The Canyons Resort and Park City via Dog Lake and Lake Desolation.

As you enter the canyon a small booth in the middle of the road requires a nominal fee of $3.00 payable upon leaving. A year pass may also be purchased for $40.00.

The canyon, part of the Wasatch/Cache National Forest, has many trail heads: Rattle Snake Gulch, Burnt Hollow, Scout Hollow. The Church Fork Picnic Area has access to the Pipeline and Burch Hollow Trails. Desolation Trail leads to the Salt Lake Overlook. Grandeur Peak, accessible year round, provides a spectacular view of the Salt Lake Valley. About 7.8 miles (12.55 km) above the fee station the Alexander Basin Trail begins and winds its way south toward Goblers Knob.

There are several picnic Areas: Church Fork 2.3 miles (3.70 km) past the fee station. South Box Elder 2.6 miles (4.18 km) past the fee station. Located 1/2 mile (.80 km) up from South Box Elder picnic area is Upper Box Elder. The Terraces is 3.8 miles (6.12 km) from the fee station.

Located at the Upper Big Water Trailhead at 7,520' (2,292.09m) on the Mill Creek Ski Trail is a Yurt, winter access by snowshoe or ski from December 1 through April 30.

At Elbow Fork the road turn sharply south. The Mt. Aire trail leads north at this point while the Mill Creek Canyon Road continues to Birch Hollow, Wilson Fork and on to the end of the road parking lot at Big Water Gulch.

Porter Fork is a residential area with many large homes and cabins. Boy Scout Camp Tracy is located in the lower part of the canyon 1.87 miles (3.00 km) from the fee station and provides both summer and winter scout activities.

Two restaurants, The Millcreek Inn 2.47 miles (3.97 km) and Log Haven 3.26 miles (5.24 km) from the fee station are also found in this section of the canyon.

Just beyond Log Haven is a gate which, depending on weather conditions, is closed to vehicular traffic from November 1 through June 1. From this point east snow is not removed from the road making snowshoeing and cross country skiing very popular.

The canyon was known to the early Indian population as Tin-Goup, meaning "rock trap". Elk and deer were forced over the precipitous cliffs to fall to their death in the canyon below. The pioneers gave the canyon and the creek which runs through it the current name for the many mills established in the heavily wooded area.

The canyon is shared by bikers, hikers and their dogs. On the upper trails, mountain bikers are restricted to even numbered days only.

G. William Wiersdorf

See: Wikipedia; Utah Place Names 1997, John W. Van Cott; SL County Parks.