There’s something about a midweek reset in the mountains that just hits different. This Hiking Happy Hour took us up into Little Cottonwood Canyon, where the air feels a little crisper, the views stretch a little farther, and for a couple hours, nothing else really matters. Although it was quite hot for this March adventure.
We kicked things off in the late afternoon, trading work mode for trail mode as everyone rolled in. Some familiar faces, some new ones, all there for the same reason, to move, connect, and unwind. The sun sat just high enough to light up the canyon walls, and the sound of the creek running alongside us set the tone right away.
The trail itself was the perfect balance for a weekday hike. Enough elevation to get the heart rate up, but still conversational. People paired off, then reshuffled, conversations flowing as easily as the trail beneath our feet. Trips that are coming up, hikes we’ve loved, life updates, and the occasional “okay wait, we need a photo here” moment.
That’s always one of the best parts of these hikes. It’s not just about the trail, it’s about the people you share it with. Watching strangers turn into trail friends by the time we hit the turnaround point never gets old.
As golden hour started to creep in, we made our way back down, chasing that post-hike reward we’d all been thinking about since the first switchback.
Enter Cotton Bottom Inn.
No matter how many times you go, it delivers. That cozy, no-frills vibe. The kind of place where hiking boots fit right in and no one’s in a rush to be anywhere else. We grabbed a big table, piled in, and within minutes, garlic burgers were on the table.
If you know, you know.
There’s something almost ceremonial about that first bite after a hike. Tired legs, a little sun on your face, and a burger that somehow tastes better because you earned it. Add in cold drinks, lots of laughter, and a group that now feels a little more like a community, and you’ve got the perfect ending to the day.
By the time we wrapped up, the canyon had cooled off, the sky had shifted into soft evening tones, and no one seemed in a hurry to leave. Which is usually the sign that we did it right.
These Hiking Happy Hours are never just about getting miles in. They’re about creating space in the middle of a busy week to step outside, meet good people, and remind ourselves why we love doing this in the first place.
Until the next one.
