The Elbow Fork Trail Connector will be a key access route that keeps people connected to the upper canyon trails, even during the Upper Millcreek Canyon road construction (lasting from May ’25 – Fall ’26).

A Trail Years in the Making

Back in 2017, Trails Utah completed fundraising, environmental reviews, trail design, and project management to make the shady, summer-friendly Upper Pipeline Trail a reality. This route gave hikers and Wasatch Crest riders a safe, car-free alternative to the upper canyon road.

Why It Matters Now
Fast forward to 2025: with the FLAP road construction project closing upper Millcreek Canyon to cars and bikes through fall 2026, the Upper Pipeline Trail is more important than ever.

But there was one problem—road project managers were concerned that people might walk along the closed road instead of returning to the trail at Elbow Fork.

What’s Happening
The U.S. Forest Service designed a short reroute to extend the Pipeline Trail around the road “elbow,” allowing the trail to cross the road at a perpendicular angle—keeping users safely on-trail and off the road.

This project is a collaboration between Trails Utah, the U.S. Forest Service, the Central Wasatch Commission, and the Cottonwoods Canyons Foundation, who will complete the trail work this summer.

In the future, Trails Utah may explore a new connector trail directly linking the new Elbow Fork Trailhead to the Upper Pipeline Trail by crossing over the Elbow Fork ridge—continuing our mission to make trails more accessible and resilient.

Why It Matters to You
This project keeps Millcreek’s upper trails accessible during road construction—and it’s exactly the kind of access-preserving work your membership makes possible.

👉 Become a member and help us keep projects like this on track.