Blackridge, Sidewinder, Diamondback Loop

Alex Cabrero
1 day ago
4 min read

Rocky dirt trail winding through dry grassy hills under overcast sky. Mountains visible in distant horizon. Serene and open landscape. — *The Diamondback portion of the Loop*

(Herriman) Some hikes you do once and check off a list. Others, you come back to again and again. This is one of those hikes for me. I've probably done it a dozen times as I write this post. It's also a trail that holds a lot of memories. More on that in a bit.

Rocky dirt trail winding through dry, grassy hills under a cloudy sky. Brown and tan landscape creates a rugged and serene mood. — *The trail heading up the hill*

The Blackridge, Sidewinder, and Diamondback Loop in Herriman isn’t the biggest hike. It’s certainly not the most dramatic. But it is the kind of trail that's perfect if you’re looking to get your heart pumping a little or just get outside for a while.

Two people walk across a barren, rocky hillside under a cloudy sky. The landscape is dry and brown, with scattered shrubs. — *Hikers in the middle of this photo*

The loop is made up of three connected trails. It's easy to follow thanks to plenty of trail signs.

-The Blackridge trail is where you start, hike past the Black Ridge Reservoir, and head toward the mountains.

-The Sidewinder Trail is to the north and wraps around the hill counter-clockwise.

-The Diamondback Trail is to the south and wraps around the hill clockwise.

This trail is about 3.5 miles and, if you do it more than once, you can really get two different experiences because of the loop. Depending on which way you go, I feel like you get a different adventure.

Black dog stands on dirt path in dry, hilly landscape. Dog waste station sign and bin nearby. Overcast sky, calm mood. — *Aspen waiting to see if we go right to Sidewinder, or left to Diamondback*

You can go counter-clockwise on the Sidewinder Trail if you want to get the steeper climb out of the way right at the beginning and enjoy a long, gradual downhill on the way back.

A dirt path winds through dry grass on a hillside overlooking a suburban area. Snow-capped mountains are visible under a cloudy sky. — *The views of Herriman going counter-clockwise on the Sidewinder Trail*

Or you can go clockwise on the Diamondback, which is how I usually do it. It's a more gradual climb that leads you to one of the best little reward spots on the trail. At the top of the Diamondback section, there’s a bench overlooking the valley. Every time I get there, I stop. Not because I have to, but because the views kind of make you stop.

Smiling man in a gray hoodie and backpack with a black dog on a bench, overlooking a vast landscape. Cloudy sky, relaxed vibe. — *Aspen and I at the bench at the top*

That bench has kind of become part of the routine. It’s where I pour some water into Aspen’s collapsible bowl, and where I eat snacks and drink some water myself. If you hike up here, I can almost guarantee you'll stop as well for a minute or two because of the views.

Black dog with pink flower collar drinks from a plastic container on a rocky trail. Pink leash on the ground, dry landscape in background. — *Water break at the top*

I think the reveal is best if you go clockwise. You hike up the trail and when you get to the bench, that view reveals itself at the last minute. It's amazing. You’ll still get the same view at the top by the bench if you go counter-clockwise, but it’s not quite the same reveal.

Dirt hiking trail on a brown, rocky hillside with dry grass. Overlooks a cityscape and distant mountains under a cloudy sky. Quiet mood. — *You'll have great views of the Salt Lake Valley no matter which way you go on the loop*

This loop sits right above Blackridge Reservoir, which has become a pretty popular spot over the years. Maybe a little too popular, depending on who you ask. Parking can be tricky in the spring and summer months now, and at certain times you’ll need to pay to park because of how busy the reservoir gets with swimmers, paddleboarders, and beachgoers. It’s one of those signs that Herriman is growing. But once you get up on the trail, it feels like you’ve left that behind.

Circular parking lot with several parked cars, bicycle rack in foreground. Houses and hills in background under overcast sky. Quiet setting. — *The parking lot at Blackridge Reservoir*

The dirt trail loop winds through plenty of sagebrush with wide views of the valley, the Wasatch Mountains, and the Oquirrh Mountains. There’s not much shade, so you’ll feel the sun, especially in the warmer months. You’ll also see hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers. There’s even a beginner mountain biking area near the south end of the loop.

But in all the times I’ve been here, people have always been friendly. It’s one of those trails where everyone just kind of shares the space.

Dirt trail curves through rocky, grassy terrain with trees. Overcast sky and distant view of a town in the background. Calm and serene mood. — *A spot where you can get a little shade*

On the north end of the loop, there’s another bench with a few rocks nearby that have motivational messages painted on them. Those rocks always make me smile. It's funny how a saying written by a stranger can make you feel noticed.

Blue rocks with positive messages: "Don't Give Up!", "Hope is Possible", surrounded by smaller colorful stones on gravel. — *Some of the rocks with motivational messages painted on them*

This trail means a lot to me for another reason. I’ve hiked it many times over the years with my old dog, Timber. She loved this trail… maybe a little too much. Rabbits, quail, deer, you name it. If it moved, she was after it. When I’d call her name, she’d usually look back at me like, “Be right back.” She was something else and was such a confident little girl. I miss her personality.

Timber hiking the loop trail in 2024

Aspen is a little different. She listens better, stays closer, and has earned a bit more freedom off leash. But I still leash her up when we pass other hikers, just to be respectful. She is a great hiking companion who likes being close to her "wolf pack."

Standing up on that ridge now, giving Aspen some water, it’s hard not to think about all the times Timber and I took a break in this same spot. Dogs don't live long enough.

Black dog sitting on a wooden bench on a rocky hillside with a panoramic view of a city and mountains in the background. Cloudy sky. — *Aspen on the bench at the top in 2026*

Black dog with a pink collar sits on a wooden bench, overlooking a vast cityscape and mountains under a clear blue sky. — *Timber on the bench at the top in 2022*

The Blackridge, Sidewinder, and Diamondback Loop is one of those reliable trails where you know you'll get a good workout and a clear mind... if that makes sense. I live in Herriman, so this is kind of my hometown trail. It's perfect for when I want to get outside for a hike but don't want to drive far or if I only have a couple of hours. That's probably why I have so many memories here, a quick hike after work before it gets dark. This trail is special to me, and if you hike it, I hope you enjoy it, too.

Aerial view of a sprawling town with houses, surrounded by hills. Snow-capped mountains in the background under a cloudy sky. — *View of the Wasatch Mountains as you hike the loop trail*

LOCATION: Blackridge Reservoir 15000 S Ashland Ridge Drive

Herriman Parking lot trailhead Bench at the top AllTrails trail information Blackridge Reservoir Information

Man in gray hoodie with orange straps smiles on a rocky trail. A black dog stands in the background amid dry grassy hills. — Aspen wondering why I'm so slow up hill

Diverging dirt paths on a dry, rocky hillside with sparse grass and cloudy sky. Rugged, natural landscape with an earthy color palette. — *Lots of switchbacks on the Diamondback Trail portion of the loop*

A person walks near a pond surrounded by dry grass with snow-capped mountains in the background. A green-roofed shelter is visible nearby. — *Blackridge Reservoir*

Trail sign warns of "Downhill Mountain Bike Traffic Only" in a dry, grassy landscape with a dirt path and distant hills. — *The mountain biking practice trails*

Sign on a wooden post reads "STOP REVEGETATION IN PROGRESS, PLEASE STAY ON OFFICIAL TRAILS." Dry grass and rocky ground in background. — There are several revegetation areas

Black dog beside a large rock in a leafless forest. Overcast sky, dry grass, and bare branches create a rugged, natural scene. — *Aspen exploring by some big rocks*

Black dog on a dirt trail in a hilly landscape, surrounded by green shrubs, with distant mountains under a cloudy sky. — *Timber making sure I was still with her. I miss this little girl*