This wonderful family-friendly trail also is known as the Mt. Ogden Exercise Loop and the Foothill Loop. It features two streams, a number of tree groves and multiple views of the valley and mountains. Some favorite spots include the bench at Strong’s Creek where overhanging trees provide a shady, cool peaceful spot to view this beautiful flowing stream.
The trail parallels the 6th and 8th holes of Mt. Ogden Golf Course where a number of vistas present themselves toward Fremont Island, Malan’s Peak, the course itself and Great Salt Lake. The stands of maple and other varieties provide wonderful fall color and the rushing water adds soothing excitement. Children will definitely enjoy the streams, identifying different foliage and trees as well as landmarks across the valley.
The “Loop” is ideal for a short hike for the family or well-developed workout. For most of the trail there are separate paths for hikers and bicyclists. The trail is reasonably well marked and well-prepared for all ages. It has been remodeled with more view points and sight lines in several areas as a result of work done on the new water storage system for the city.
There are three trailheads: One at the top of 29th Street, where restrooms are located, a second at the top or east end of 32nd Street and the third at the top of 36th Street.
Starting from the 29th Street trailhead (elevation 4,750 feet), hikers take the rightmost of the three paths heading south, while bicyclists take the middle path. The third path leads to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. The trail winds through the oak brush, with excellent views of the city below. After a little more than a mile you meet the Strong’s Canyon trail, then cross a bridge over the creek and turn downhill (west). From here the bicycle route follows a dirt road steeply down to 36th Street, which it follows down to the trailhead. The foot-path continues to wind through the oak brush.
From the 36th Street trailhead the trail turns north along a flat stretch that follows the underground Pineview aqueduct, then winds through more brush and drops steeply to the picnic areas near 32nd Street and Taylor. The rest of the loop is on concrete: follow Taylor Avenue north to 29th Street, then turn east for the climb back to the 29th Street trailhead. Along the way there are parks, pavilions, pickleball courts and public restrooms at the 29th Street trailhead.
The Ogden mayor and city council recently named the trail in remembrance of Gilbert “Gib” Wallace, who for many years actively developed the Ogden trail system we enjoy today. Gib updated this trail shortly before his death and felt it was one of his best efforts.
Trail facts
- Difficulty: Easy
- Hike Time: 1.5 hours
- Distance: 2.74 miles (4.41 km) round trip
- Elevation gain: 380 feet (116 meters)
- Trailhead restrooms: At 29th Street Trailhead
- Dogs allowed: Yes, on leash
- Bikes allowed: Yes
- Kid friendly: Yes
For more information, visit www.weberpathways.org
