Holmes' Cabin

This is not an easy hike. This is StairMaster for the outdoors. If you are looking for a hard hike, with great views, and want to sweat the entire time; then this is the hike for you. Holmes' Cabin is a disheveled old cabin high on the shoulder over Fruit Heights, Utah. It was built by a local family, as were the other cabins in this area. The National Forest Service discovered the cabin and instead of fining the owners and tearing down the cabin, they struck a deal: the cabin could stay as long as it was kept open for public use as a sort of yurt, and it remained stocked with provisions and tools. The cabin has fallen into disuse in the last few years. Expect a leaky roof and a dirty building. Start at the East Mountain Wilderness Trailhead. Follow onto the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Cross Holmes Creek. This is the easy part of the hike. Usually there is not much snow here. But rest assured, the cabin will have much more if you go during late winter. Shortly after the bridge over the creek, as you climb out of the canyon, you will take a right off the main trail. This smaller trail will take you all the way to the cabin, straight up the mountain. The cabin lies behind the ridge with the thumb of rock sticking up. We call this Wart Rock. On your way up, you can run over to Wart Rock and get some great photos. At this point you will be exhausted. Don't worry, you are over 4/5 of the way there. The cabin is tucked in the trees just off the ridge. It is mildly shielded from the wind. But the cabin is full of holes so don't expect it to completely shield you from the elements. The cabin sleeps six nicely and has a top loft for storage or the adventurous. There is no insulation in the walls. The view from the cabin is not bad. The door opens South Westerly, showing Kaysville down to Salt Lake City.