Access to the west end of the Perimeter Trail is at Ross Creek Trailhead. It’s not the main entrance to Jordanelle Reservoir State Park, but still requires a fee. Bring cash or check to put the $10 day-use fee in a pay box at the trailhead. There is ample parking, a toilet, and sign kiosk, but nothing else in the way of amenities.

You’ll start by running on or beside the crumbling asphalt of a disused highway, descending toward the shoreline where you can pick up the trail. The trail is doubletrack that’s mostly packed dirt, but rocky or grassy in places. It can be snowy in winter, but usually melts out quickly and remains muddy for sometime after. There is no shade, and it can get very hot. Therefore late spring, cool summer days, and fall are the best times for this run.

The Perimeter Trail remains typically between 50-100 feet above lake level but dips down to the water in some places. Side trails can be used to reach the water in other places, so you can cool off if you do get too hot. The trail eventually ends at a road on the west side of the lake, touching some very panoramic points along the way. It does not make a loop or connect to the marina area at the main park entrance, so you’ll simply return the way you came.

Sources: https://www.stayparkcity.com/blog/top-park-city-hikes/ https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/jordanelle/facilities/