Strawberry Needles Trail Family Hike

We were at Snowbasin for the Brews and Blues festival and to handle our season passes. Before the event started, we spontaneously decided to ride the Needles Gondola and hike the Strawberry Needles Trail.

The whole Turner family went. Clay wore Chacos, which worked but were not ideal for the dry, rocky, steep trail. Jules wore On Cloudmonsters and had no problem. The two older boys handled the trail without difficulty; the youngest, age five, completed the hike but needed help on the descent. Everyone carried a full 32 oz Nalgene.

We went on July 4, 2026, starting around 09:50. Conditions were nearly ideal: cool and comfortable, with no meaningful wind beyond a light breeze. The trail was fully exposed with essentially no shade. There were no noticeable bugs and no smoke. The surface was dry dirt, dust, and rock. The trail was empty when we started and was beginning to fill up by the time we finished.

We started at the Needles Gondola upper station, followed signs and the AllTrails route to the summit/high point, and returned the same way. We started around 09:50, reached the summit around 10:10, and finished back at the upper gondola area around 11:00. The AllTrails recording captured the outbound climb only: 0.54 mi, 295 ft of gain, and 22:39. The full out-and-back distance and full moving time were not completely recorded.

The route was short but meaningfully steep, with dry dirt, dust, and rock underfoot. The main route was well marked, easy to follow, and manageable. Good tread was helpful, especially on the descent, but under dry conditions the family completed it in a mix of trail shoes, road shoes, tennis shoes, and Chacos.

The summit/high point delivered incredible views in both directions, including the Salt Lake Valley side and the Snowbasin side. The payoff was big enough that we did not feel the need to keep pushing farther along the ridgeline.

The descent was the hardest part for our five-year-old. The steepness required hands-on help, but it was manageable as long as we slowed down and took our time.

Footwear mattered most. Clay completed the trail in Chacos, but Speedgoats or at least closed-toe shoes would be preferred next time. Shoes with tread helped on the dry, rocky, steep descent. Next time, we plan to test trekking poles for the boys to see whether they help on the steeper downhill.

Everyone carried a full 32 oz Nalgene and came back with at least about half remaining, so water demand was modest in the cool conditions. We did not need a major food setup and grabbed quick candy snacks at the top after the hike.

The main route was marked and easy to follow. The biggest safety note is the steep descent, which may require help for younger children. At the summit, we briefly explored an optional ridgeline continuation, but it narrowed and dropped below the summit line on the Salt Lake side, so we turned back because it felt less comfortable with a five-year-old.

Yes for capable families. The two older boys handled it easily. Our five-year-old completed the hike but needed help on the descent. It is a strong family hike for kids comfortable with steep mountain trails and parents willing to assist younger children, but it is not a flat gondola-top stroll.

Repeat the main route. The summit/high point is an excellent turnaround. The optional narrow ridgeline continuation was worth a brief look, but we skipped continuing farther with our youngest along.

Next time Clay should wear Speedgoats or at least closed-toe shoes instead of Chacos. We also want to try trekking poles for the boys to see whether they help on the steep descent. Otherwise, the setup was very good.

Again and again and again. This is one of the most repeatable family mountain outings we have found near Hill AFB: short, scenic, close, and just hard enough to feel earned.

Turner Tornado Verdict: 5/5. Short, steep, incredibly scenic, close to base, and just hard enough to feel like you earned the view.