Utah · Hiking

Great Western Trail

7.6 mi
round trip
3,016 ft
climb
8,522 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Great Western Trail open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 2 alerts for Fishlake National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Fishlake National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

The Great Western Trail is a 15.1-mile out-and-back hike in Utah's Fishlake National Forest, within the Richfield Ranger District. The route climbs from a low point of 5,785 feet to a high of 8,522 feet, with a total elevation gain of 3,016 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is rated expert. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Salina, which sits about 960 feet lower than the trail's high point, show July highs around 80°F with lows near 53°F. That station's July is the warmest month, and temperatures on the trail run cooler. The trail is a long, steep outing. Plan on a full day, and consider starting from the Salina Creek Second Crossing Trailhead, about 1.9 miles away. Water Hollow Road and the Great Western Trail (D-4) both lie within about 2 miles. For an overnight, Salina Creek offers canoeing about 2.7 miles off.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Great Western Trail

    Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      33° / 16°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      35° / 18°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      43° / 24°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      50° / 29°

      8 wet

    5. May

      61° / 37°

      7 wet

    6. Jun

      73° / 45°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 53°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      77° / 51°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      69° / 43°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 33°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      41° / 22°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      32° / 15°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Salina 24 E, UT, 13.2 mi away at 7,560 ft. The station sits about 1,000 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors