Mineral Fork, located in Big Cottonwood Canyon, is a hike with panoramic views where you can travel through the Wasatch’s historic mining past. A very wide, old mining road provides the trail, so navigation is super easy. Waterfalls, shady trees, and massive, alpine cirques are star attractions, but checking out the old Wasatch and Regulator Johnson mines are Mineral Fork’s highlights.
The hike starts at the Mineral Fork trailhead, just off the south side of Big Cottonwood Canyon Road. There is a large pullout and a brown, metal gate that blocks access to vehicles. Go around the gate, cross a bridge, and walk over to the official trailhead marked by a sign. The trial goes west and rise up above Big Cottonwood Creek.
Initially, the trail winds through several switchbacks as it climbs into Mineral Fork. Along the way, a small creek runs right down the path, so wear waterproof shoes in case you slip off when rock hopping across. You’ll also cross a couple of streams beneath nice waterfalls that cut directly across the trail. It’s a sporty way to start the hike. After the falls, the trail switchback a few more times before straightening out into shady evergreen forests. The path is often covered in loose rock, so tread carefully as to not roll an ankle. After about an hour, you’ll come to a fork in the trail Left goes to the Wasatch Mine, right is the official main trail and is marked as such. Go right and follow the trail as it traverses up the west side of the canyon. At this point, the foliage opens up and you get a view of the peaks at the head of the canyon.
Three miles from the trailhead, you’ll come to another fork. Go left for a short out-and-back to the Wasatch Mine, This mine is big for the area as a huge tailings pile mars the landscape. Along the cliffs, you can find the mine entrance blocked by a metal gate. A stream flows out of it and down the tailings. Note the red color of the water and stream banks from the mine.
Above the Wasatch Mine, the trail gets steeper as it switchbacks several times into upper Mineral Fork. When the trail finally levels out again, you’re surrounded by a massive alpine cirque topped by jagged peaks. In winter, backcountry skiers call this place the Room of Doom because of the dangerous avalanche potential here.
The trial continues up, switchbacking through the scree all the way up to the Regulator Johnson Mine. It’s nearly 5 miles from the trailhead to this point. Check out the old mining equipment left behind and take in the view of Mineral Fork as it falls sharply down into Big Cottonwood Canyon.
From the mine it’s a short-but-steep 200-foot scramble to the Mineral/Mill B divide where you can get a gorgeous view of the upper cirque that lords over Mill B South Fork. While the scramble is steep and loose, the view at the top should not be missed.
Getting There: Mineral Fork is located 6.1 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon. There is a pullout on the south side of the road by a brown metal gate and cell tower.