Hiking Lambs Canyon Girl on a Hike

Hiking Lambs Canyon

Lambs Canyon is located off I-80 after passing through Parley’s Canyon, but before you reach Jeremy Ranch. Lambs Canyon is part of the county Watershed, and therefore, dogs are not allowed. There are multiple signs saying no dogs, and there was even a county sheriff patrolling the area as well, so don’t even attempt to bring them up here. It’s a bummer to leave dogs at home, but every once in awhile I want to do a hike that Charlie can’t.

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Lambs Canyon really has nothing extraordinary about it, except for all of the wildflowers in early Summer. I found about 9 different flowers right along the trail. The trail itself meanders up the small canyon through tall pine trees, and you can hear the stream most of the way, yet you will never hike near it. After 2 miles you will reach the ridgeline connecting to Millcreek Canyon. Most people turn around at the ridge, then head back down to their car, but another option is to continue down the trail until you reach Elbow Fork in Millcreek. This option would require a shuttle. Keep in mind that the Millcreek road doesn’t open until July 1st, so if you do a thru-hike before then, you’ll need to add on an extra 1.5 miles of hiking along the road or Pipeline Trail. This trail is NOT save in Winter months due to avalanche danger (plus it would add on 1.5 miles each way!).

Directions

From SLC, head east on I-80 and take the exit for Lambs Canyon. At the stop sign, turn right, and drive 1.5 miles south until you reach the trailhead. Restrooms are available. This road is typically closed during winter, and reopens mid-June through mid-October. Here is a driving map.

Trail Info

Distance: 4 miles RT (to the ridge and back)

Elevation gain: 1,400 ft

Time: 2-4 hours

Dog friendly? No, dogs are not allowed on this trail

Kid friendly? Yes

Fees/permits? None

Driving the road past the exit for Lambs Canyon. It’s a narrow, paved road, so be careful around corners.

The official TH sign is on your right, and parking is on the left.

The trail heads south for a few minutes, and is very well shaded.

However the trail quickly turns west. The first time I hiked this we started at noon and it was VERY hot. This time I started at 6:30am – it’s best to hike here in the early morning to beat the summer heat.

Tall pine trees lined part of the trail.

A collage of the 8 wildflowers seen on the trail.

Sections of the trail are slightly overgrown, but not so much you need to wear pants.

At 0.6 miles, reach the first switchback.

The Thimbleberries were starting to bloom! You can eat these – they are seedy but have a tart taste.

The trail is very gradual in sections – almost flat.

Sun’s coming up!

My best guess is that these are Snowberries!

At 1.5 miles the start starts to get steeper and rockier.

Ahh, I love sunrise hikes! The temps were so much cooler and I only saw a handful of people on a Sunday morning.

You’ll work your way up a few more switchbacks, and eventually you’ll climb enough elevation gain to see across the canyon.

Finally on the ridge, with a view of the Oquirrh Mountains & SLC in the distance, and the darker Grandeur Peak just to the left of my head. This is what you’ll see on a clear day (back in 2016!).