May 17, 2020

Parrish Creek Trail

The Trail
This moderate trail is about 2 miles one way with a 1700 foot elevation change with potential to go much further than that if desired. This trail is used to climb up to Bountiful Peak, but we didn't go that far; we just went a little past the overlook.

Topographical Map


Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

This trail starts at a dirt parking lot and heads up the hillside, maintaining a steady moderate incline all the way up the mountain face to the ridge. It crosses the Bonneville Shoreline Trail about a tenth of a mile up from the trailhead, but continues straight. (Turning left at this junction could take you to the Parrish Creek Pictographs though, if you want to visit those sometime.)


Despite the trail's name, it does not come close to the creek below and offers only a few distant views of it during the ascent up.

View of distant creek below

When we did this hike at this time of year, the wildflowers were stunning!

Arrowleaf Balsamroot and Penstemons




At one point you will cross a relatively flat grassy meadow.

Looking down at meadow

About 1.8 miles up the trail there is a split. Heading left keeps hikers along the main trail route, while going right leads to a rocky overlook (marked with the camera in the topographical map above).

View from overlook

The overlook makes a nice destination point, but if you would like to go further, a rougher trail connects back to the main trail and goes on. The trail will continue heading east along the ridge line and meeting up with Skyline Drive, which can then be followed to Bountiful Peak if desired. We continued until we hit some clusters of trees before heading back the way we had come.



There are no restrooms at the trailhead. Livestock and dogs are permitted on this trail.


Directions
This trail starts in Centerville, which is located in Davis County, UT. To get there, take I-15 to Parrish Ln in Centerville, getting off at Exit 319. Turn east toward the mountains and continue up 400 N. Turn left at the end of this road right as it curves around to become 700 E. At the end of this road you will find a large dirt parking area. The trail starts just north of this parking. GPS coordinates: N40 55.357 W111 51.981