Jordan River Parkway, Rotary Park Trailhead

There are several parts of the Jordan River Parkway that I will often hike when the weather is good. To the point I’m working on adding some of the different trail heads to Unilocal to help give an idea of what to expect at each one, and honestly so people can check in to them when they visit :)
Overall the trail, which runs from North Salt Lake all the way up into Lehi, cannot be beat when you need some good outdoors exercise. Now the construction that broke the trail up in places a year or so ago is done you can pretty much go as long as you want and it’s MUCH better now.
I had started these reviews end of last year, but then the weather got too bad, at least up until yesterday — which made for a great hike from this trail towards the 10 600 South trail head. In this direction it’s really flat terrain, and mostly makeshift path ways through fairly rural/​un-​kept lands until you reach the bridge at 11 400 South. Just there and back makes a great 1 hour hike if you keep a decent pace, we like to do that a lot. Often we will go beyond, which is really nice since you get into a more residential area with some fantastic park and recreational areas, that makes for a really nice change of scene. If you keep going under 10 600 So. (be aware the area under the bridge tends to fill with water sometimes though it’s rarely impassable) you will pass Mulligans golf course and then it’s a nice secluded trail with lots of trees by the side all the way to the 9800 So. trailhead. I have hiked the 9800 So. to 12 600 So. and back in one go, it’s easy going too since it’s totally level — that takes a good 3 hours, but is it worth it if you have the time.
Going the other direction from this trailhead, it also remains pretty level at first, but if you want to reach the next trailhead at 14 600 So. you do have to climb a steep incline up to a bridge which crosses the river, and you also have the joy of passing the large sewer pipe outlet which — well, let’s just say when it’s warmer it gives you a good incentive for a quick burst of speed! What is cool however though is that there is a natural hot spring which when it’s really warm actually gives off a lot off steam and run off which actually flows down the side of the trail. Just heed the signs and don’t play in it or touch it (so mind if you have kids with you). As you near the end and approach 14 600 So. there’s another cool trail that goes through a residential area, but I’ll review that separately. The final part in this direction takes you past a couple of gated communities and then into Bluffdale. It’s a pretty major hike to get from the start point I’m reviewing to 14 600 So. and back so if you’re not used to hiking a lot I advise building up your distance/​stamina a bit at a time.