Lift Up and Descend Through Empire Canyon

From the Town Lift plaza at the bottom of Main Street, or Payday Express from the Park City Mountain Village, ride the chairlift up to the 32-acre Silver King Complex 10, now a National Historic District. The chairlift ride takes between 20 and 30 minutes.

There is a charge to ride the chairlift unless you have an active Epic Pass. From the top of the lift it’s a short walk – about one quarter mile on a dirt service road – to stand directly in front of the Silver King Mine building at the center of the 32-acre Silver King Complex, now a National Historic District.

From the Silver King Mine, walk east on the doubletrack dirt service road past the abandoned electrical power substation toward the Silver King Mill 12 overlook. Continue walking east.

Look for trail signs noting the Historic Mine Route and the trail named John’s 99, which will shortly cross the unpaved King Road.

As you walk slightly downhill south and west, you will experience the first sweeping views of Empire Canyon and the grand Montage Deer Valley hotel. Cross the Mother Urban 13 trail to reach the New Connector trail. This next section is more challenging because it is a temporary gravel road, and hiking poles are recommended.

New Connector Trail becomes a Hikers Only trail from this point downhill. Bike riders can continue on John’s 99, turning east on the Empire Link trail then east again on Daly Grind to rejoin the Historic Mine Route at the Judge Mining & Smelting Co. office building on Ontario Ridge Road.

Walk downhill on New Connector Trail about one-half a mile. You’ll soon reach a dirt trail, Ontario Ridge Road, and a cluster of historic buildings — the Alliance Watchman’s Cabin 14 and the Alliance Mine 15 building.

Continue downhill on the dirt service road to the JM&S Co. office 16, the Explosives Magazine 17, the Daly-Judge Mill 18, John Daly in Empire Canyon 19, and the American Flag Mine 20. About 500 yards after historic site #20, look for the Historic Mine Route wayfinding sign and the two steep steps on the left, downhill, to the OMG trail. Enjoy the shady forest trail, following the signs to the Prospect trail where you’ll pass the Daly-Judge Aerial Tram 21. This trail ends at Prospect Avenue, a paved but reasonably steep road.

At the bottom of Prospect Avenue, turn right on Chambers Ave to walk south to the intersection of Marsac Avenue. Cross Marsac with care, minding the traffic, to see and hear historic stories #23 and #24 associated with the Ontario Mine and Mill 23, as well as the Judge Aerial Tram loading station 22.

Follow the Historic Mine Route wayfinding signs back to the short Historic Chamber’s Neighborhood trail, which starts on Hillside Avenue and connects you to upper Swede Alley. Turn left to finish the route on Main Street — about 0.3 miles north to the Park City Museum.

Your hike finishes on Park City’s Historic Main Street, lined with a range of tempting restaurants to reward yourself with lunch, a snack, or a cool drink.

Public restrooms are available at Miners Park, 415 Main Street, and next to the Park City Museum at 528 Main Street.