Overview
Most Salt Lake City cyclists know Emigration Canyon. They know the canyon road, the 4% average grade, Ruth's Diner at the mouth, the Little Mountain Summit sign where everyone turns around. This route continues past that sign. It climbs over Big Mountain Summit at 6,791 feet, descends into East Canyon, and makes the full loop or out-and-back commitment that separates a training ride from a serious day out.
At 29.7 miles with 3,097 feet of gain, the Emigration-to-Big-Mountain route is a meaningful step up from the standard Emigration climb. The additional miles past Little Mountain aren't just more of the same — the character of the road changes completely. The pavement is older, the grade stiffens, and you lose the sheltered canyon feel of the lower Emigration for exposed ridgeline terrain where the wind has opinions. Big Mountain Summit is also where the historical weight of the route becomes tangible: this is the pass where the Mormon pioneers first looked down into the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. The view from the top is the same one.
This is a route for riders with a solid Emigration base who are ready to see what's on the other side. The total climbing is manageable, but the exposure and length of the Big Mountain section add a variable that the lower canyon doesn't — you'll want to be riding in good conditions and have enough in the tank to handle the extra work.
The Route
The ride starts from the standard Emigration Canyon trailhead at Sunnyside Avenue and follows SR-65 through the canyon and over Big Mountain.
Miles 0–2: The Approach The first two miles wind through the east bench neighborhood and the lower canyon mouth. Traffic is at its highest here, and the gradient is gentle — this is warm-up mileage. Ruth's Diner appears on the right around mile 1.5 and serves as the unofficial start/finish marker for the canyon proper. The road surface is excellent through this section.
Miles 2–10: Emigration Canyon The main canyon climb is well-documented (see the Little Mountain route for full detail). The grade averages 4–5%, the surface is smooth, and the canyon walls provide shelter from wind. The cottonwoods and maples through the middle canyon are the best fall foliage on any canyon road in the Salt Lake area. Stay in your tempo through here — you have a lot of climbing left past Little Mountain.
Miles 10–11.5: Little Mountain Summit Little Mountain Summit at 6,100 feet is where most riders turn around. It's a satisfying turnaround: the climb feels earned, the views east into Morgan Valley are genuine, and it's a clean 22-mile out-and-back back to the car. On the Big Mountain route, it's the midpoint. Rest if you need it, eat something, and check conditions to the east — the ridge above is exposed to whatever weather is moving through.
Miles 11.5–15: The Big Mountain Climb This is where the ride gets serious. Past Little Mountain the road changes — it's narrower, the pavement is rougher in sections, and the grade kicks up past 6% for extended stretches. The terrain opens from sheltered canyon to exposed ridgeline, and the views are bigger in every direction. The climb to Big Mountain Summit gains another ~700 feet over about 3.5 miles. The sustained effort at altitude on exposed road is what makes this section feel different from the Emigration canyon miles.
Turnaround: Big Mountain Summit The summit at 6,791 feet has a pullout and, on a clear day, views that stretch east into Morgan and Davis Counties and west back across the Wasatch into the Salt Lake Valley. This is the historical high point — the marker near the summit references the 1847 pioneer crossing. It's a good turnaround for an out-and-back: most riders add another 15 minutes at the top before the return descent.
The Descent The return from Big Mountain to Little Mountain is a fast, exposed descent on a road narrow enough to demand respect. The pavement quality varies — watch for older frost heave patches in the early season. Below Little Mountain, the Emigration Canyon descent is faster and smoother. The full 15-mile return to the valley floor goes quickly.
What to Bring
- 2 full bottles — the extra mileage past Little Mountain is exposed; no fill options on the upper ridge
- Jacket or vest — Big Mountain Summit is exposed; even on summer mornings the wind on the ridge can be cold
- Extra food — this is a 2.5-hour effort minimum; two bars or equivalent past the halfway mark
- Check weather before you go — afternoon thunderstorms build over the Wasatch ridgeline from June onward; summit timing matters
Local Tips
- Best window: June through early October, with morning starts before noon — afternoon thunderstorm probability over the ridge climbs significantly from late June onward
- Combine it: Strong riders extend the loop by descending into East Canyon on the east side of Big Mountain, riding through East Canyon to Big Mountain Road, and looping back — this is a full 50+ mile day with shuttle or significant additional climbing
- Traffic: The road past Little Mountain sees far less traffic than the Emigration Canyon section below — mostly local ranching traffic and the occasional vehicle bound for East Canyon. Be visible.
- Post-ride: Ruth's Diner at the mouth of Emigration Canyon is the obvious choice and has been for decades — cash or card, full breakfast menu, outdoor seating in good weather