The Rattlesnake Gulch to Pipeline Overlook hike was my first venture into Mill Creek Canyon. You can bet it will not be my last! The weekend Winter and I went was just after a light snow storm, and it actually ended up snowing while we hiked. The trail guide for this hike is on All Trails! It is 3.3 miles out and back with about 800 feet of elevation gain. Always check avalanche warnings in the winter before hiking!
Rattlesnake Gulch
The Rattlesnake Gulch trailhead is the first trailhead in Mill Creek Canyon on the left. Nearly all of the 800 feet of elevation gain is in the first 0.75 miles of the hike up to the Pipeline Trail. Its a booty burner but the destination is worth it! Once you reach the Pipeline Trail just follow the signs for the Overlook to the left. If you are feeling spicy you can always go right and hike 2 miles to the Grandeur Peak Trailhead and hike to the peak!
**In January 2022 the National Forest Service updated this trail route. As of February 2022 the route described initially is still open. The new alternative “safer” route consists of more switchbacks with a less steep grade (8% compared to the nearly 20% grade on the original route), is more exposed, and adds about 1 mile of distance round trip**
Pipeline Overlook
The pipeline trail extends from Grandeur Peak to the Pipeline Overlook with several different trailheads you can access it from (Rattlesnake Gulch, Church Creek, etc). The overlook is the most western point and looks out over Salt Lake Valley. From the Rattlesnake Gulch trailhead to the Pipeline Overlook is about 1.6 miles (one-way). Once I reached the pipeline trail the hike was really flat. The views into Mill Creek Canyon and out over the valley were spectacular with all the snow.
Something fun I have gotten in the habit of doing is making a quick video to go along with the hikes Winter and I complete! So here is the video for the Rattlesnake Gulch to Pipeline Overlook hike!
Before you go
Mill Creek Canyon does charge a fee per vehicle. It is just $5 and they do offer a year pass as well! You pay on your way out of the canyon.
A huge plus to this canyon as well is they allow dogs off-leash on ODD days. So for example: 2/13, 2/15, etc. you can have your dog off-leash. EVEN days the trails require dogs on leash, and they allow mountain biking on these day as well. Another convenient benefit is toilets at each trailhead.
Enjoying all of Winter and my adventures? Check out more hiking and trips we have taken on our archives page!
really interesting information i got from here…would love to visit here again.