Mountain Recreation Park – 57 Campsites – Pavilions – Picnic Tables – Barbecue Stands – Fire Pits – Water – Restrooms
During the winter season at Jolley’s Ranch, you can enjoy the beauty and fun of winter sports without having to go to a big resort. You will find nearly five miles of groomed trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, tubing and sledding hill, and parking areas for snowmobilers. Ski and snowshoe equipment is available for rent, along with tubes for the tubing hill. There are heated restrooms and a warming shelter. Season passes and group discounts are available.
Germania Park, 5400 South Murray Pkwy Ave (about 1100 W). It’s a sunny January Saturday, 37 degrees with snow still on the ground. I’m going to first cross the river to take a look at the leash-free dog park, then I’ll head northGoogle Earth Map of my walk, how cool is that!Bridge to cross the Jordan River to Millrace Park in TaylorsvilleOff-leash Dog Park, Millrace Park, Taylorsville, UtahKids playground at Millrace Park in Taylorsville, UtahEquestrian Trail for riding horses at this section of Jordan River ParkwayRestrooms are not open here in winter like they were at Winchester Park in Murray, Utah. Picnic pavilion, children’s playground, and grass sports field here.Large Sports Field with Wasatch Mountains in backgroundBiking along the Jordan River Parkway TrailTrail Runners enjoying the January Utah SunMurray City plows the snow on the trail in winter. Can you believe it!Overlook Point to view the MarshlandsOutdoor Amphitheater for summer performancesJordan River MarshlandsJordan River: Ribbon of LifeBeautiful frozen ponds in MarshlandsEarly Utah PioneersBeautiful view of the Jordan RiverWalkway to protect the Marshlands4800 S Murray Taylorsville Rd. Just shy of 2 milesOn my return headed south. Capturing a few new light photosMagical Trees! There’s something special about a leafless winter tree.Another one of those birdhouses in a wickedly awesome treeCreekside Petroglyph Mural to reduce graffitiRiver Reflection TimeBoat loading dock for floating the Jordan RiverJanuary Horse Riding on the Jordan Parkway Trail
Today I continue my Jordan River Parkway walking tour at 4800 South in Taylorsville, Utah by heading north along the river and walking to my day’s turnaround point at 3900 S in South Salt Lake. Murray, Utah is south across the street from here.
It’s January 19th, the temperature has been maxing out at freezing until this week of sun where it’s been approaching 40 degrees. It’s an enjoyable time to walk because there are few people and the air is refreshingly chilled with a relaxing sense of quiet.
Still snow on the ground. We’ve had snow cover since November this year due to the temperature hovering below freezing for two months.
Tunnel looking south beneath 4800 South headed to Murray, Utah
Trail is not quite as well maintained as in Murray. Snow and ice patches were common.
Good view of the Jordan River from this section of the path as well as a good view of Apartments.
Bird House again, they are all along the trail. Who’s placing these? Great winter trees!
Some Industry Views
A dam here diverts water into a canal that runs all the way to the Great Salt Lake.
Some Geese enjoying the Sun
Veterans Memorial Park
Trail tunnel beneath 4500 S
The local school has tried to combat Graffiti by painting the walls of the tunnel beneath 4500 S in Taylorsville, Utah
The trail follows along 4500 S before turning into Apartment Complex Area, moving away from the river for a while.
Jesus appearing in a tree?!
Trail winds through Apartments, making me wonder if I’m still on the Jordan River Parkway Trail
Once out of the apartments you enter the South Salt Lake wooded area. This section is quite nice with some good views of the river.
Winter Tree Beauty
View of the Jordan River
Jordan River with Wasatch Mountains in the background.
The bridge crosses the river to 3900 S Street Bridge.
Graffiti Bridge
Jordan River Parkway Trail 3900 S Street Bridge in South Salt Lake, Utah
General Holm Park, 3900 South South Salt Lake, Utah. I turn around here and head back. Goodbye til another day.
Heading north from Winchester Park in Murray, Utah. It’s January, and the restrooms are even open, impressiveWinchester Park in Murray, Utah, is well maintained with a pretty pond, ducks and geese, a playground for the kids, restrooms, and picnic tables.Duck Pond at Winchester Park, MurrayWinchester Park PlaygroundJordan Parkway trail following the Jordan RiverIt snowed heavily in November this year, and the temperature has remained under freezing keeping the snow for almost two months now.A very pretty sunny day todayNot too many people on the trail today, still a bit cold for most.The trail crosses the river here.Interesting story about Native American Indians in early UtahA little reflecting time…The path crosses beneath Belt Route 215Some say there are ghosts under hereThere’s beauty in a leafless treeGreat tree-house tree!This is the second birdhouse like this I’ve seen along the trail. Think it’s a science project?Hickman Fort, I never knewWhere the houses are was Hickman FortLots of quiet open space and blue skyFew people walking their dogsApproaching 5400 South and Millrace Park5400 South rest stop with restroom, drinking fountain (weather permitting), and picnic pavilion. I’ll turn around here for now and head back home.Jordan Parkway Trail is great for bicycling too.Jordan River looking pretty in JanuaryWalking The DogView of the Wasatch Mountains from the trail. Goodbye for now. I’ll be back.
Mount Ogden Park is reservable and offers lots of green shady spots for picnics and plenty of grassy area for field games. It offers a large picnic shelter with barbecue grill in addition to individual tables. Soccer fields with goal posts and off street parking is available. This park has a newer wood chip filled playground and is a good place for group picnics. Sleigh riding, snow boarding, tubing and cross country skiing are popular on the neighboring golf course. Restroom facilities and drinking water are also available. With the Mt. Ogden Golf Course right next door, make this your picnic stop after the company scramble. Park includes tennis courts and a small gazebo.
Hills for Sledding and Snow Tubing during winter months.
El Monte Golf Course is a 9-hole classic parkland layout situated at the mouth of Ogden Canyon. The significant feature of the golf course is a pair of large Fremont Cottonwood trees that are in the middle of the first fairway and the historic clubhouse. The golf course is suitable for beginners and can be challenging for the very skilled player. The stone clubhouse sits 80 feet above the golf course and offers beautiful views of the golf course and canyon. The clubhouse was built during the Great Depression with stone that was quarried down by the Ogden River and is one of only 13 golf course clubhouses in the country that are recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. El Monte Golf Course has hosted the popular El Monte Four-Ball Tournament annually on July 24th since 1936.
[mappress mapid=”53″]….Click, Drag & Drop Gold Person (top left corner) for Panoramic View. It’s Fun!
The Mountain Dell Course situated 16 miles east of downtown Salt Lake City and at an altitude of 6,000 feet above sea level, offers 36 holes of breathtaking views and frequent glimpses of wildlife such as moose, deer, elk, eagles, hawks, badgers, squirrels, and an occasional cougar. The higher elevation provides ideal summer golfing conditions. The Canyon Course stretches up the eastern mountain from the clubhouse approximately four miles before looping back. The Lake Course features narrow, rolling fairways and dramatic tee shots over deep ravines and water.
Winter Activities Mountain Dell Golf Course is many of Utah families’ traditional Snow Tubing, Sledding, and Cross Country Skiing areas. It is usually jam-packed, but free (though parking is always difficult). It has a few really long runs, too; fun to go down, long to hike back up.
Hills for Sledding and Snow Tubing during winter months.
