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This Easy Trail Is Chock Full Of Utah History

Temple Quarry Trail in Little Cottonwood Canyon offers an easy, ADA-accessible hike rich in Utah history and scenic views.

Published Jun 9, 2018

Written by 

Catherine Armstrong

You'd have to be living under a rock not to know that the Mormon pioneers settled in Utah in July of 1847, and the Salt Lake Temple is certainly an icon for the Beehive State. Here's a quick, easy trail that takes you to a place that's full of early Utah history, and it's the perfect afternoon hike.

You'll find the Temple Quarry Trailhead at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon, on the south side of the road. There's a small parking lot at the trailhead. If it's full, you'll find more parking across the street in the UTA Park and Ride Lot.

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Catherine Armstrong

The trail starts with a historical marker and makes a half-mile loop.

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Catherine Armstrong

This is a paved, level trail that's ADA-accessible and stroller-friendly. It's really more of an easy stroll than a hike, and it's a chance to get a taste of Utah history while enjoying the beauty of Little Cottonwood Canyon.

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Catherine Armstrong

Not far down the trail, you'll find a little area with large blocks of granite. Mormon pioneers cut big slabs of rock from this area to build their temple, starting in 1862.

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Catherine Armstrong

You can see several rocks in this pile that still have the chisel marks made by pioneers more than 150 years ago.

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Catherine Armstrong

Interpretive signs along the trail tell you more about the granite quarry and how the granite was cut and hauled to the temple's building site downtown.

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Catherine Armstrong

While the trail is just fifty feet or so from Little Cottonwood Road, it's surrounded by trees. Take a little bit of time to sit, relax and enjoy the canyon atmosphere.

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Catherine Armstrong

You'll also be treated to some gorgeous canyon views along this trail.

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Catherine Armstrong

There's a large area overlooking the creek bed below. Check out the mountainside across the creek - you can often see mountain goats on rocky perches.

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Catherine Armstrong

Little Cottonwood Creek branches off Temple Quarry Trail, and you can continue on another 6.5 miles if you'd like to explore more of Little Cottonwood Canyon.

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Catherine Armstrong

If you continue on down Little Cottonwood Trail be aware that it's heavily used by mountain bikers. Make sure to follow trail etiquette and stay to the right to allow cyclists to pass, and teach kids to be aware of how to share the trail. Dog are not allowed in Little Cottonwood Canyon, so leave your pup home for this one.

Have you hiked the Temple Quarry Trail?

For more Utah history, check out this fire lookout that's the last of it's kind in the Beehive State.

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Nature|Hiking

The Iconic Trail in Utah Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime

One of Zion's most popular trails is the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail, and for good reason. It's not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but it's one of those bucket list-worthy adventures everyone should experience at least once.

Published Oct 28, 2024

Written by 

Katie Lawrence

When it comes to iconic hikes in Utah, Zion National Park is the first place I think of (along with Arches and Bryce Canyon, of course). After all, it's home to some of the most stunning views our state has to offer, and millions of people travel from all over the world each year to revel in its magic. One of Zion's most popular trails is the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail, and for good reason. It's not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but it's one of those bucket list-worthy adventures everyone should experience at least once.

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AllTrails Kristin Kozelsky

At 3.6 miles long, the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail is by no means the longest hike in the park, but it is one of the most challenging. The out-and-back trail is rated as hard on AllTrails due to its steep ascent. You'll climb over 1,100 feet in a relatively short distance, navigating tight switchbacks before arriving at the final viewpoint known as Scout Lookout.

While the view at the top is definitely the pièce de résistance, you'll enjoy breathtaking scenery along the entire trail. At the beginning, the path crosses the Virgin River on a bridge before paralleling the river for a short time. From there, the ascent begins, and as the scene unfolds before your eyes, it only gets more picturesque with every step you take. With the ancient, majestic canyon walls rising up all around, you'll swear you're looking at a painting or a postcard. That's just part of living in Utah - what a blessing to call such a state home where the scenery is almost too beautiful to be real.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can continue past Scout Lookout to Angel's Landing, but only experienced hikers should attempt this. Additionally, the trail does not offer much shade, so consider starting either in the early morning or late afternoon to beat the heat if you're visiting in the warmer months.

Visit AllTrails for more information about the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail. I also recommend signing up for AllTrails+ if you're an avid hiker. The app is an incredible resource with features like 3D flyovers, wrong-turn alerts, and offline map access. Your first week is free, so there's no risk involved in trying it out.

Have you ever embarked on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure? What are your favorite iconic hikes in Utah? Tell us in the comments!

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Nature|Hiking

The Completely Free Art Panel Hiding in a Utah Park is a Must-Visit

The Rochester Panel is one of three sites that make up the San Rafael Swell. It's a short and sweet hike to view it.

Published Oct 23, 2024

Written by 

Jackie Sutherlin

The Rochester Panel is one of three sites that make up the San Rafael Swell. Goblin Valley is certainly the most popular out of the three, its surreal rock structures are a beautiful sight. The Wedge’s incredible valleys, canyons, and gorges are so magnificent, that its nickname is the Little Grand Canyon. 

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But the third site, the Rochester Panel, is often overlooked by tourists in favor of the other two, and that’s a shame! Many believe this rock art to be the most unique rock art in Utah! The hike to reach the panel is only about half a mile, and it’s completely free. 

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Michael Fisher/All Trails

With any trail, I’m always going to have my AllTrails + account open before I reach the trailhead. The Rochester Panel trail is mostly well-marked and easy to follow, but it’s always better to come prepared. Especially in Utah’s wilderness. 

The out-and-back-trail clocks in at just shy of one mile with an elevation gain of 98 feet. Like many hiking trails in this area, there is very little/no shade. A wide-brim hat and sunglasses are always part of my hiking essentials, and of course, sunscreen. 

The hike to the petroglyphs is fairly scenic, and overall a moderate hike. Once you read the petroglyphs, prepare to be amazed! These figures were made by many cultures over time, including prehistoric groups all the way up to early settlers. 

It’s a fascinating site to see in person. You could sit here for hours just admiring these drawings. Some of them are 2,000 years old! Pack a lunch, sit for a spell, and think about the first people who marked these rocks. What do you think this area looked like 2,000 years ago?

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Ryan Moreau/All Trails

As you’re admiring the petroglyphs, you’ll notice some…modern additions. Since apparently we can’t have nice things, I feel the need to remind everyone not to do this. Do not write on the panels, do not add your initials, and don’t even touch them. Take all the photographs you want, but leave it as you found it so future generations can enjoy it, too. 

Because there’s little shade, I’d recommend viewing the Rochester Panel early in the morning or closer to dusk to avoid that mid-day sun. This is a great trail for the spring and fall, though it’s not impossible to tackle in the winter. You’ll just have to make sure your vehicle can reach the trailhead. 

Share this article with someone you want to visit the Rochester Panel with and start planning your adventure today. 

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