The Outlaw Cabin

The Outlaw Cabin is a structure that was constructed during the 1960s at the edge of a meadow on Mount Jordan.  It was built from downed trees in the area prior to being designated as the Lone Peak Wilderness Area in 1978.  Inside the structure are several cots, a pot belly stove, wall-mounted cabinets, and two small windows.  In October 1997 a surprise snowstorm caught a family off guard on the mountain, and they ended up taking shelter in the cabin until they were rescued.  Today the dwelling is often cluttered with garbage and shows signs of wear and tear, yet it provides a great spot to sit back and enjoy the beauties of Mother Nature.  Though all trails ascending from the Salt Lake Valley are long with many switchbacks, the best approach to the Outlaw Cabin is from the Orson Smith Trailhead in Draper.

To reach the Orson Smith Trailhead from I-15, take the 12300 South exit (Exit 291) and turn east towards Draper along 12300 South (SR 71).  At around 2.0 miles turn right (southward) onto 1300 East for approximately 0.2 miles to the roundabout, and then follow it to head east on Pioneer Road (3rd exit).  One mile east of the roundabout, turn right (south) at the stop sign onto 2000 East and follow it approximately 0.3 miles to reach the Orson Smith Trailhead on the left (east) side of the street.  This area can also be reached from Wasatch Boulevard by turning left (south) onto 1700 East, which turns into the Draper Parkway, and then turning left (southward) again onto 1300 East.

Trail junction along the
Bonneville Shoreline Trail

Bear Creek Bridge just before
the Trail of the Eagle junction

Prior to starting the hike, make sure you have plenty of drinking water as there are only two or three stream crossings along the entire trail.  The trailhead has restroom facilities with drinking water where canteens and water bottles may be filled during the warm season.  Also, it is wise to begin hiking early in the morning to avoid the heat of the sun when it rises over the mountain.  From the trailhead a path climbs the lower bench area past a roadway (which crosses a spillway) to reach the Bonneville Shoreline Trail at approximately 0.7 miles.  At this point you have the choice of taking either the Cherry Canyon Logging Trail (also known as the Bear Canyon Trail) or the Trail of the Eagle.  Both involve seemingly endless switchbacks up the mountainside, yet this mitigates the steepness of the climb.  My recommendation would be to take the Trail of the Eagle up and the Bear Canyon Trail down – as the Trail of the Eagle passes through more vegetation and provides more shade from the sun.  The junction for the Trail of the Eagle can be reached by following the Bonneville Shoreline Trail northward for approximately 0.4 miles where a footbridge crosses the Bear Creek.  Once on the Trail of the Eagle your elevation increases as the trail winds up the mountainside and your view of the Salt Lake Valley broadens the higher you climb.  After hiking at least two miles the trail becomes less steep, and you can rest assured that the worst part of the climb is behind you.  Along the upper stretches of the Trail of the Eagle the path becomes less distinct at times, but it never fades out altogether.  A sign that you are reaching the end of this trail is the granite rocks that appear to the right (south) of the ridge you're on.  Upon hiking to these rocks, the more obvious Bear Canyon Trail picks up and you follow the left (north) trail approximately three-quarters of a mile to the Outlaw Cabin at 9,280 feet elevation.  Carved on the front of the Outlaw Cabin are the words: "Enjoy it, don't destroy it," which is great advice for traveling anywhere in the great outdoors.  Distance from the Orson Smith Trailhead to the Outlaw Cabin is approximately 5.6 miles one-way via the Trail of the Eagle, or 5.4 miles one-way via the Bear Canyon Trail.  Elevation gain is about 4,490 feet from the trailhead.  On the way back down along the Bear Canyon Trail is a nearby spring that can cool you off.

Posing in front of the Outlaw Cabin
near the foot of Lone Peak

Granite rock bowl along the Bear
Canyon Trail not far from the spring