Overview
Mt Aire is one of the smaller peaks in the Wasatch, but still a great one to climb nonetheless. It has excellent panoramic summit views, and it provides some good steep snowshoeing in the winter without worry of avalanche danger. Since the trail is on a shady south slope, it is also a good trail to do in the summer.
The trail from Elbow Fork is 1.75 miles one way from the road with 1,991 feet of elevation gain. In the winter the canyon road is closed at the Maple Cove Picnic Ground, and from there the route is about 3.5 miles long and gains about 2,600 feet.
Church Fork Peak is 8,306 feet high and can be reached either from the Church Fork Picnic Ground trailhead or the Burch Hollow Trailhead.
Millvue Peak is 8,926 high and shares the same trailhead as Mt Aire. It can also be hiked from Lambs Canyon, a tributary canyon that can be reached from I-80 going up Parley's Canyon.
These 3 peaks are a nice set to do for an easy ridge run and the bushwacking isn't too bad along the ridgeline compared to the rest of the Wasatch backcountry.
For the advanced hiker, these three summits can be bagged while hiking the Millcreek Ridge route, which runs from the Salt Lake Valley, over Grandeur Pk, all the way to Murdock Pk.
 |  |  |  |  |
Getting There
Drive, bike, or walk up East Millcreek Canyon (begins as 3760 South off of Wasatch Boulevard in the valley) to the Elbow Fork Trailhead. In the wintertime the road is closed at the Maple Cove Picnic Ground about 5 miles up the canyon.
 |  |  |
Red Tape
None, apart from the canyon fee, which is only a few dollars and only applies to motorized vehicles.
When To Climb
Any time of the year is great. Often in the winter there is trailbreaking to be done in order to reach the summit.
Camping
Camping is allowed in the Wasatch National Forest anywhere more than 200 ft from any trail and 1/4 mile from any road. Please use Leave No Trace methods.
Mountain Conditions
There are no known avalanche paths that cross the route, although the route does pass above 2 starting zones near the summit, but these are easily avoided.
Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Utah Avalanche Center
The Avalanche Center
Wasatch Mountain Club
External Links
- A local trip report of climbing the peak from Parleys Canyon
- The Pipeline Trail
The Pipeline Trail is a trail at the Elbow Fork Trailhead that follows a pipeline. It is popular for hiking, snowshoeing, and mountain biking.
