Granite Flume Trail

The Granite Flume Trail is an easy hike close to the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon. With the exception of the first 30 seconds of hiking (where you'll walk steeply up from the road to the trail) the terrain is flat while skirting the mountainside, offering good views along the way.The trail is actually a bit of a historic one, as it follows the path of the old Utah Power Company water flume that carried water down-canyon. The original flume was constructed of wood and built in 1896. It was replaced by an underground pipeline in 1998 and disassembled. You can still find some of the old wood of the original flume in places on the trail.After the first short climb up from the road, you'll follow the route of the old flume as it cuts across the mountainside. The views down to Big Cottonwood Canyon Road and Big Cottonwood Creek are quite nice.Continue along until you can see that the trail ahead cuts across a sheer cliff face. Just before reaching this section you'll come to a small gap in the trail. You can easily scramble down and up this gap, then enjoy the next short section of trail that is cut into the cliff face.You won't be able to continue for much longer however, as there is a 2nd gap soon thereafter. This gap in the trail is significant and can not be bypassed. This is the end of the hikeable trail and the turnaround point.Return the way you came back to the trailhead.