Spend three hours hiking the Wasatch above Salt Lake City with a guide, snacks and a charcuterie break. Trails are customized to your group’s pace and conditions, making this a good choice for mixed-ability adventurers.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step out of the car at the Big Cottonwood Canyon EAST Park & Ride and the canyon exhales—pines brushing the road, a cool current of air sliding down from higher ridgelines. Over the next three hours a guide will lead a small group along a chosen route that climbs through open meadows, alder thickets and rocky benches, pausing for a charcuterie spread where the view gives way to a long sweep of the Wasatch Range.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
3 hours
Fitness Level
Should be comfortable walking 2–5 miles with sustained uphill sections at altitude; basic hiking fitness recommended.
Wildlife
History
Big Cottonwood Canyon’s routes cross land used historically for grazing, mining and later recreational development—modern trails follow paths shaped by glacial carving and early access roads.
Conservation
Stay on established trails, pack out all food waste from charcuterie spreads, and follow Leave No Trace principles to reduce erosion and wildlife impacts.
Reserve your spot on the Salt Lake City's Guided Hiking Tour with Charcuterie board today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Acclimate to the altitude
Spend an hour in the valley or take it easy the morning of the hike—elevation between 6,000–12,000 ft can make exertion feel harder than expected.
Footwear matters
Choose shoes with firm midsoles and decent tread—trail surfaces include dirt, roots and occasional rocky sections.
Pack for quick weather shifts
Bring a lightweight wind shell and an insulating midlayer; summer sun can flip to wind or showers quickly at higher elevations.
Manage food waste
Enjoy the charcuterie but pack out all wrappers and food scraps to avoid attracting wildlife and to protect the canyon.
Sturdy hiking shoes
Support and traction for uneven trails and rocky steps.
Layered clothing (base, insulating, shell)
Temperature and wind change quickly with elevation—layers let you adapt.
spring
Daypack with 1–2 liters of water
Hydration at altitude is critical; carry water and space for snacks and packaging.
summer
Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, SPF)
High-elevation sun is stronger—protect eyes and skin during exposed stretches.
fall