Neffs Canyon Trail To Millcreek
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GPS track from Neffs Canyon Trailhead up and over to Millcreek Canyon and the Desolation Trailhead. I clocked 9.8 miles on my GPS including about a .35 detour in the lower Neffs due to a popular guidebook. I had 5625 on my altimeter at trailhead, 1.5 to Wilderness Boundry sign 6630 ft, 2.3 miles to waterfall 6900 ft, and meadow appears 3.25 miles 7800 ft above sea level. Another 2. 25 miles across the meadow to the Millcreek ridge. Mill A into Big Cottonwood can be had as well, but my route cut North after the second meadow toward Millcreek to pick up the DesolationTrail system above the Millcreek overlook site.
From the lower Neffs meadow, flow east to the upper meadow, and watch very closely for a cairn where the trail hooks north toward toward and below cliffs and a notch looking into what appeared to be an obvious trail into Millcreek, It was tricky footing and tricky route finding. I took the Thaynes Canyon trail down from the ridge into Millcreek since it is more direct than the switchbacks into the Desolation trail via the overlook, although that portion of the D trail is awesome. Note two important points:
The spur at the bottom of the trail from Neffs off to the right aprox. South in the first mile is mis direction from a popular guidebook of a few hikes within a few miles of SLC. It was a dead end, to what looked like an outlet for an underground spring used to supply a well known brand of drinking water. The correct directions are to bear left at the first stream crossing. . Never trust a guidebook 100% or a Forest Service milegae post. Nuff said. Otherwise i loved the 59 + 1 hikes........
2. Very difficult to stay on trail above the second meadow, the trail peters out many times and is very steep, angled, and tricky. A good topo, compass, extra food, water, and clothing recomended. You will need good route skills on this. I lost the trail many times on this hike. It would be easier if not crossing snow patches, from where the trail can emege in any direction. If you lose the trail, backtrack to where you lost it and carefully, look for its continuation. You cannot get lost on this trail, but bushwacking is a real possibility. I kept hitting snowfields, June 2nd, where the WTF's the trail kept coming. I knew the Millcreek drainage very well, which saved my ass. By a hair. Think ya can't get lost in Millcreek? Probably not but it would have been a long night. I followed deer trails and avalanche paths until I picked up the Desolation Trail, above the Thayne Peak Juncture at waypoint 3 shown the other trail GE map.
I felt comfortable, that I would find a trail,, but I was darned glad when I did. I had a map, but I will never travel without a 7.5 topo again. Skip the cheapo trail guides for off trail travel.
