UTAH CHAPTER
SLC & Beyond • Est 2025 • The Founding Chapter
Year-round hikes, Summit Series, group trips, and real community built on trail.
All paces. All levels. All women. Come as you are.
The Utah chapter is where Girls Gone Hiking was born.
It started in 2025 with a small group of women, a trail in Millcreek Canyon, and a simple idea: get outside together. That first hike up Rattlesnake Gulch changed everything. Women who showed up not knowing anyone left with friendships. Women who thought hiking “wasn’t for them” found out it absolutely was.
One year later, we’ve logged 26+ hikes and events across the Wasatch Front and beyond. We’ve started Summit Series together. We’ve chased golden hour in our Sunset Social Hikes. We’ve shown up for each other on hard trails and harder days.
This community — right here in Utah — is the proof of concept for everything GGH is becoming nationally. And it’s still just getting started.
All paces. All levels. All women. Come as you are.
Where It All StartedWhat the Utah Chapter Offers
Group Events
Year-round events from beginner walks to serious summits across the Wasatch Front
Summit Series
Progressive peak challenges built to grow your strength and confidence together
Growth
Co-lead hikes, contribute your skills, or help build GGH Utah
Meet Our Team
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Melanie Jeske
Founder
I started Girls Gone Hiking because I believed the trail is better when you share it with people who actually get you.
I built GGH here in Utah, one hike at a time, and what grew out of it still surprises me… a community where women of all paces, all backgrounds, and all experience levels feel genuinely welcome. No pressure. No race to the top. Just good trails, real conversation, and women who show up for each other.
These days I'm focused on growing GGH into a national network of women's outdoor chapters, because every state deserves a community like this one.
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![A young woman smiling, wearing a life jacket and holding a hiking pole, standing in a river with canyon walls and other people in the background.]()
Kristen Blank
Utah Co-Ambassador
Hi, I’m Kristen! I’m originally from Pennsylvania and moved to Utah in the summer of 2022, where I quickly fell in love with the mountains and everything the outdoors has to offer. What started as a way to explore a new place turned into a love for hiking, adventure, and connecting with others on the trail.
Hiking is my way of taking time to slow down, clear my mind, and decompress. With a busy schedule, it’s where I feel most grounded and connected, and where I find a sense of peace. Whether it’s chasing views or trying something new, I’m always up for the experience. I love being part of a community that encourages each other, builds confidence, and makes the outdoors feel welcoming for everyone.
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![A woman standing in a meadow filled with flowers, surrounded by tall pine trees, with mountain peaks in the background under a partly cloudy sky.]()
Lauren Reed
Utah Co-Ambassador
With a background in elementary education and a love for all things nature, I’m passionate about making trails feel welcoming, doable, and maybe even a little magical.
You’ll usually find me chasing my two boys, heading out for a run, curling up with a good book, or stopping mid-hike to admire wildflowers like it’s my job. I believe the best conversations happen on a trail, fresh air fixes most things, and the scenic route is almost always worth it.
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![A woman smiling, wearing a blue cap and green sweatshirt, standing between large rock formations outdoors.]()
Lex Bengston
Community Facilitator & Hike Lead
Lex joined the GGH team as our Community Facilitator — the warm, welcoming presence you’ll often see keeping energy high and making sure no one feels left behind on trail.She helps lead hikes, supports event day logistics, and plays a key role in the community culture that makes GGH feel like more than just a hiking group. She’s the kind of person who makes everyone feel like they belong from the first five minutes.
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![A woman taking a selfie while ascending a mountain trail with a view of a city below, dressed in outdoor gear, sunglasses, and a backpack.]()
Tiffany Soriano
Hike Lead
Hi, I’m Tiff! Utah-based hiker/artist, always chasing mountain views with my pups. I’m on a mission for 200 hikes this year, I’m drawn to new terrain, new hobbies, and anything that gets me out there and moving. I’m all about adventure, curiosity, and having fun along the way.
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![A woman with hiking gear standing on colorful rock formations at The Wave in Arizona under a clear blue sky.]()
Sara Smith
Hike Lead
HI! I'm Sara! I'm originally from Tennessee. I've been proudly rooted in Utah since 2023. I grew up in the outdoors and never left it behind. From working as a raft guide on the Ocoee River in TN for 10+ years to trading my paddle for hiking boots, the mountains have always been home. These days you'll find me backpacking, mountain biking, fly fishing or skiing. I'm always chasing the next adventure.
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Callie Platt
Hike Lead
I moved to Utah in November 2020 after graduating from CU Boulder. I spent that season working at Alta Lodge, where I fell in love with the Wasatch Mountains and skied every day. I spent some time living in Jackson, WY, working at the Four Seasons, but ultimately returned to the wonderful state of Utah. I love spending time outdoors hiking, skiing, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing, and watercoloring! I look forward to connecting with everyone.
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Stephany Martinez
HIKE LEAD
Hi, I'm Steph! Hiking has become one of my favorite ways to spend my free time. I love exploring new trails, chasing mountain views, and finding a little peace in nature. When I'm not outside, you'll usually find me with a good book, spending time with my 10-year-old Chihuahua mix Bowie, or planning my next adventure. Bowie loves the trails just as much as I do, so you'll definitely see him joining us on some of our dog-friendly hikes! My hope as a Hike Lead is to create a space where every woman feels welcomed, supported and encouraged to enjoy the outdoors at her own pace. As a Latina, it's especially meaningful to me to encourage more women of color to get out on the trails, build confidence and experience the joy and community that hiking can bring. I believe kindness goes a long way and I can't wait to meet you on the trail!
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![Silhouette of a person walking through a lush, foggy forest near a mountain with the sun shining brightly in the background.]()
Our Trail Leader team is forming now. 🏔️
We’re looking for women in Utah who love GGH and want to help lead. If that’s you — we’d love to hear from you.
Ready to Join Us?
When you’re ready to RSVP, simply reserve your spot directly through our website. Each event listing includes important details, meeting location information, and helpful notes to help you prepare.
Space is limited to keep group sizes safe, organized, and enjoyable for everyone. Please only reserve a spot if you plan to attend. If your plans change, cancel your RSVP so another gal can join!
Important note:
Simply add the event to your cart and complete checkout to secure your spot — it takes less than a minute.
Events will require completion of a liability waiver prior to attending.
August Events
Timpanogos Lower Falls Hike
An evening hike to a gorgeous waterfall, this one's a moderate out to Timpanogos Lower Falls starting from Aspen Grove. Great light, cool air, and a payoff view at the end.
The Details:
📅 Wednesday, August 12, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 Aspen Grove Trailhead
🥾 2.5 miles, moderate difficulty
🐾 Dogs welcome
👥 Limited to 6 hikers — RSVP required
💵 $10 (or annual pass) — pay cash at the trailhead
What to bring: 2L of water, sun protection, and layers for the evening.
Heads up: There have been a lot of moose sightings in this area lately, stay alert, keep your distance, and give them plenty of space if you spot one.
Parking: Park at the Aspen Grove Trailhead, cash accepted on-site.
A shorter, scenic evening out with good company and a waterfall at the end, bring your $10 and your camera!
Trail info: Timpanogos Lower Falls directions on Google Maps
Park City Sunset Hike
Golden hour on the mountain, this one's a shaded climb up Armstrong Trail looping down Dawn's Trail through aspen groves, with sweeping views over the valley. Bring your headlamp for the walk back down as the sun sets!
The Details:
📅 Wednesday, August 12, 2026
⏰ 6:15 PM
📍 Meet at the First Time Lift, Park City Mountain
🥾 4.6 miles, moderate difficulty
🐾 Dogs welcome
👥 Limited to 8 hikers — RSVP required
💵 Free! Parking is free too.
What to bring: water, headlamp, snacks, hat, and sunscreen.
The route: A shaded climb of about 700 feet up Armstrong Trail, looping down the foot-traffic-only Dawn's Trail through aspen groves with valley views. Under two hours, a quick, scenic, dog-friendly mountain fix.
Parking: Lowell Ave Base Lots, at the base of PCMR.
A sunset hike with a view, good pace, and good company, bring your headlamp and let's watch the light change over the valley!
Trail info: Armstrong Trail to Dawn's Trail Loop on AllTrails
Willow Creek Loop Hike
A little bit of everything on this one, meadows, wetlands, forest, and a spring, all in one loop through Little Cottonwood Canyon. Moderate effort, big variety, and mostly sunny so come ready for it.
The Details:
📅 Saturday, August 15, 2026
⏰ 8:00 AM
📍 Willow Creek / Little Cottonwood Creek Loop Trailhead
🥾 6.4 miles, moderate difficulty
👥 Limited to 8 hikers — RSVP required
💵 Free!
What to bring: water, water, and more water! Layers for a cool morning, plus sunscreen.
Parking: Park at the trailhead, carpooling through the canyon is an option if you'd rather not drive solo.
Trail vibe: Mostly sun with some shaded stretches, meadows, wetlands, a spring, and forest along the way. Easy to moderate overall, with a nice variety of terrain to keep it interesting.
Come ready for some sun and bring plenty of water, this one's got a bit of everything and a group to match!
Trail info: Willow Creek/Little Cottonwood Creek Loop on AllTrails
From Trail to Twigs 🌲🍸
Hike now, happy hour after, this one's a moderate trek up Farmington Creek Trail followed by drinks and dinner at Twigs Bistro & Martini Bar. Bring your dog, bring your appetite.
The Details:
📅 Thursday, August 20, 2026
⏰ 5:00 PM
📍 Farmington Creek Trailhead
🥾 4.5 miles, moderate difficulty
🐾 Dogs welcome
👥 Limited to 10 hikers — RSVP required
💵 Free
What to bring: at least 1–2 liters of water, hiking shoes or sandals, bug spray, and a light jacket.
Parking: Small free lot at the trailhead. If it fills up, overflow parking is available along Farmington Canyon Road.
Good to know: No restrooms at the trailhead. The last stretch of Farmington Canyon Road is dirt, passable for regular cars, just drive slowly since it's narrow, dusty, and can have oncoming traffic.
After the hike: Join Lex, Melody, and the crew at Twigs Bistro & Martini Bar for drinks and dinner! A reservation for 6 is set, and it'll be bumped up if more of us want in, let Lex know if you're staying for dinner.
Trail info: Farmington Creek Trail (Upper Canyon Section) on AllTrails
One of the most rewarding hikes along the Wasatch Front and we're doing it early to beat the heat!
Adams Canyon is a Davis County favorite for a reason: steep switchbacks, shaded canyon forest, a few stream crossings, and a 40-foot waterfall waiting at the top. This one's a workout, but we'll take it together, breaks, views, and all.
We hike together. We leave no one behind.
📍 Adams Canyon Trail — Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Layton, UT
🥾 3.6 miles round trip | ~1,420 ft elevation gain | Hard
🌲 Sandy switchbacks up front, shaded forest and stream crossings deeper in, some scrambling near the falls
🐾 Dogs welcome on leash
Come ready for a real workout, the trail starts steep and sandy, mellows out through shaded forest along the creek, and finishes with a bit of rock scrambling near the waterfall. The payoff is one of the prettiest 40-foot falls in the Wasatch. Please note: hiking above the falls is not permitted, the terrain there is steep, wet, and dangerous.
What to Expect
A challenging 3.6-mile out-and-back with steady climbing
Sandy switchbacks, forest shade, and a couple of stream crossings
A short scramble near the end to reach the waterfall
Group breaks along the way, this isn't a race, we finish together
A stunning 40-foot waterfall as the reward
What to Bring
At least 2 liters of water
Sturdy hiking shoes with good traction
Sun protection (hat + sunscreen)
Camera and a positive attitude 📸
Logistics
📅 Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
⏰ Start Time: 6:30 AM
🗺️ Meeting Point: Adams Canyon Trailhead, off East Side Drive, Layton
🅿️ Parking: Free at the trailhead — lot fills quickly on weekends, so arrive 10–15 minutes early
👥 Group Size: Capped at 6 participants
🐕 Dogs: Welcome, must be leashed
💵 Cost: Free
Summit Series
The Summit Series is our progressive peak challenge — a curated sequence of increasingly demanding summits designed to build your strength, your skills, and your confidence as a mountain woman.
We don’t rush to the top. We climb together. We push each other when it gets hard. And when we summit — we celebrate every single woman who made it.
Join the GGH Utah Community
Get hikes before anyone else. Join our Telegram community, it's where new hike releases drop first, before they hit social media. Spots fill fast, so this is the best way to stay in the loop.
FAQ - Utah Chapter
📍 About the Utah Chapter
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The Utah chapter is based in Salt Lake City but we hike all over — Millcreek Canyon, the Wasatch Front, Uintas, southern Utah, and everywhere in between. If there's a great trail in Utah, we'll find our way there eventually.
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Yes. Utah is an incredible four-season destination and we take full advantage of it. Winter brings snowshoe hikes, cold-weather walks, and cozy social events. Spring and fall are peak hiking season. Summers we start early to beat the heat. There's always something on the calendar.
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We primarily hike along the Wasatch Front — Salt Lake City, Sandy, Draper, Bountiful, and surrounding areas — but we also venture to places like the Uintas, Moab, St. George, and beyond for special trips and events. Each event listing includes the exact location.
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The Utah chapter launched in 2025 and is the founding chapter of Girls Gone Hiking. Everything we've built — the community, the safety standards, the event model — started right here.
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Yes. Same community, same Mel, same trails — just with a fresh look and a bigger vision as we expand nationally. The Utah chapter isn't going anywhere.
🥾 Events & RSVPs
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Yes. All Utah chapter events require advance registration through our website. Attendance is capped to keep events safe, organized, and enjoyable for everyone.
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Friends are always welcome — but each person must register individually through the website. Unregistered guests cannot be added on-site, no exceptions.
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Unfortunately you won't be able to join. For safety, liability, and fairness to others on the waitlist, we can't allow walk-ins even if space looks available.
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Limits help us maintain trail safety, ensure proper waiver coverage, create a great group experience, and respect land-use and parking restrictions at trailheads.
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Most hikes and community meetups are free unless otherwise noted. Some events — like social gatherings, special trips, or venue-based events — may have a small fee to cover costs. It will always be listed clearly on the event page.
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After you click "Add to Cart," the event gets added to your cart — then just head to your cart to complete checkout and you're all set. We know it's a little quirky — Squarespace keeps us humble. 😄
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Please cancel your RSVP through the website or email us as soon as possible so another woman can take your spot. For capped events this makes a real difference.
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Yes. All participants must complete the GGH liability waiver before attending their first event. Once it's on file it covers you for future events unless your information changes. The waiver link will be included in your registration confirmation email.
🌤️ On the Trail
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Every event listing includes the difficulty level, mileage, and elevation gain. We host everything from easy social walks to serious summit pushes — just read the details carefully and register for what feels right for where you are right now.
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Read the full event description — we include mileage, elevation gain, estimated time, and any technical notes so you can make an informed call. When in doubt, start with a moderate hike and work your way up. We've all been there and nobody judges.
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Yes — and a lot of women do. GGH is literally built for this. You don't need to know anyone to show up and have a great time. By the end of the hike you'll have made friends.
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Dogs are welcome only on events where it's explicitly stated. Always check the event description before bringing your pup. Some trailheads and event types aren't dog-friendly, and some Millcreek dates are odd/even restricted — we'll always note this in the listing.
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Our events are women-centered. Some events welcome friends and supportive partners when noted — always check the event description for specifics.
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Every event listing includes gear recommendations specific to that hike. In general — water (more than you think you need), proper footwear, layers, snacks, sun protection, and any trail-specific gear noted in the description. For Utah's elevation and climate swings, layers are non-negotiable.
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Some Utah trailheads require a parking fee or day pass — Millcreek Canyon and some Wasatch Front trailheads being the most common. Each event listing will note if anything is required so you can plan ahead.
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Safety comes first, always. If conditions become unsafe we may modify the route, reschedule, or cancel. Updates will be sent via email to registered participants and posted on our Instagram @GirlsGoneHiking.UT
💬 Community & Staying Connected
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Sign up for our email list — that's the best way to stay in the loop on new events, updates, and community news. You can also follow us on Instagram @GirlsGoneHiking.UT and join our Facebook community group for real-time updates.
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We use GroupMe for our Utah community chat. The link to join is in the footer of our website under "Enter Our Chat." It's where the community connects between hikes, asks questions, and shares trail conditions.
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Yes — search "Girls Gone Hiking Utah" on Facebook or find the link on our website. It's a great place to connect with other members, see event recaps, and stay in the community between hikes.
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GGH Utah is a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful community. We have a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, bullying, or behavior that makes others feel unsafe. We are not a politically affiliated group and do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, or background. Anyone who doesn't uphold these standards may be asked to leave and restricted from future events.
🤝 Getting More Involved
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We'd love that. You can apply to be a Utah Trail Leader — women who co-lead hikes and help create the GGH experience for newer members. Head to our Get Involved page to learn more and submit an inquiry.
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Trail Leaders are women who co-lead events alongside Mel. If you're interested in that role, head to the Get Involved page and select "Lead & Support Community Events" in the form.
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Yes — that's exactly what our Ambassador program is for. Head to our Become an Ambassador page to learn more and apply. Mel reviews every application personally.