Sheryl McGlochlin, an outdoor adventure guide and Studio 5 contributor shows us waterfalls she calls, “Hidden Treasures”.
Hidden Treasures
• Mt. Timpanogos – MANY impressive waterfalls, too many to mention today
Donut Falls – The most popular waterfall hike along the Wasatch Front
• Some of my favorite lesser-known “Hidden Treasure” Waterfall Hikes
• Spring hiking is Waterfall Season!
Waterfalls in Utah are spectacular considering Utah is the 2nd driest state in the US.
• Five hikes featured today are all day hikes and are under 4 hours RT
• Over 100 waterfalls are worth seeing in Utah
TWO spectacular waterfalls with hardly any hiking (5 – 10 min. of walking)
• Bridal Veil Falls – up Provo Canyon
• Upper Provo River – Uinta Mountains
Lisa Falls
• Wasatch Mountains
• Little Cottonwood Canyon
• This canyon has more traffic due to two ski resorts
• No dogs allowed
• Trailhead is unmarked
• Kid and Family Friendly
• Easy boulder scrambling
• Kids love this trail because of the boulders
• 5 – 10 minute hike, one way
• 1/10 mile in length, one way
• Short, semi-steep trail
• Fun to play in water – depending on the spring runoff
• View up close – depending on the spring runoff
• Boulder hopping
• Popular rock climbing/repelling area
• Lots of Giant Granite Rocks
• Waterfall comes off a sheer granite slab
• Directions: The trailhead is located between mileposts 6 & 7. Look for a small parking area on the north side.
• Lisa Falls is 2.5 miles down the canyon from White Pine Trailhead, located on the NORTH side of the road.
Rocky Mouth
• Wasatch Mountains
• South of Little Cottonwood Canyon
• Hidden trail in a neighborhood (find the catwalk between two homes)
• Kid and Family Friendly
• Wooden stairway on the first part of the hike
• Rocky, steeper trail on the second part of the hike
• Cool Cave area & giant boulders near the waterfall
• 1 mile RT
• Trailhead is hidden between 2 homes (look for the catwalk) in a neighborhood.
• Park on Wasatch Blvd. only – Don’t park in the neighborhood
• Fun to play in water
• View up close – depending on the runoff
• Boulder hopping
• Park on the EAST side of Wasatch Blvd. at approx. 11300 South, in a small gravel parking lot with a sign that says “Rocky Mouth”.
• Directions: At the intersection of 9400 So. & Wasatch Blvd, continue south 3 more miles on Wasatch Blvd. Watch for an LDS church on the RIGHT. Park just south of this church, on the EAST side of the road. Walk up the wooden stairs, uphill in the neighborhood. Keep your eyes open for a catwalk between two homes on the east near the mountain. Follow the steep trail to the waterfall.
Stewart Falls
Incredible Tiered 100 ft. waterfall
Located on the Alpine Loop between Provo and American Fork Canyons
About 1 hour drive from SLC
Back side of Mt. Timpanogos
Trailhead in the Aspen Grove Parking area
Kid and Family Friendly
3.6 miles RT
Fee area (around $3)
Hiking time: 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours RT
Late spring hike due to Avalanche Danger
310 ft. elevation gain
Easy path – mostly on the Sundance Resort Private property
Dirt trail
View up close depending on the spring runoff
Directions: From SLC, head south on I-15 to Orem, exit 272, 800 No. At the bottom of the ramp turn LEFT, proceed EAST on UT 52, toward Provo Canyon. At 3.7 miles, take left ramp to US 189. Continue for 7 miles to UT 92, which is the first left after the tunnel. Continue up UT 92. Pass Sundance and Aspen Grove Family Camp on the left. Pass the Forest Fee Booth at 4.6 miles and enter the Aspen Grove trailhead parking lot on the left.
Farmington Creek Canyon
Wasatch Mountains
About 45 min drive north of SLC
Partially shaded
Enjoy a quiet trail
Moderate Hike
2.6 miles RT to the Waterfall (go a little further to reach Sunset Campground)
Dogs on a leash are allowed
2 – 3 hours
Trail comes within 50 ft. of a broad waterfall
Watch for wildlife
Watch for two old cars that plunged over the cliff nearly 50 years ago.
Beautiful, green, lush, thick foliage part of the way
Lower Calf Creek Falls
4.5 hours drive from SLC (268 miles from SLC)
130 ft. waterfall
Cold water to swim in
Surrounded by Sandstone cliffs
6 mile RT hike
Walking in Sand
Bring Extra clothes for swimming
Southern Utah area
Between the towns of Escalante and Boulder
Dogs not recommended due to hot sand
Amazingly BEAUTIFUL!!!
Moderate Hike
Start early. In the spring and summer this hike is hot by 11 am
Indian Petroglyphs along the way
3 – 4 hour hike RT
Slick rock shallow creek along part of the way
Lots of Green Foliage all the way to the Waterfall
Hidden treasure out in the middle of nowhere
Bonus: Travel through Dixie National Forest and plenty of other breath taking scenery to get there!
Directions: Head South on I-15. At Scipio, turn left on US 50, At the Aurora Sign, turn Right on UT 260, Follow the signs to Sigurd, Turn Right at UT 24, Stay on UT 24 until you arrive at Torrey. Turn Right on Scenic All American Highway 12. 48 miles to the entrance of Calf Creek Recreation Area (between milepost 75 & 76).
Follow the paved side road (approx. 200 yards) to the day-use parking area and trailhead
NOTE: The trailhead contains an information kiosk and a modern restroom. A small fee, approx. $2, is required to park in the day use area and is payable at the information kiosk.
Camping is available near the trailhead. The BLM maintained campground contains 13 sites available on a first come first served bases. Camping cost: Approx. $7.00/night.
Safety Tips
• Spring creek run off in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons is HIGH
• Stay on the trails
• There is safety in numbers when hiking
• Dress in layers
• Wear good shoes with traction
• Don’t count on your cell phone for communication. Most cell phones don’t have reception on many waterfall hikes.
• Always tell someone where you are going and when you will return
What to bring:
• Water Bottle (1 – 2 liters)
• Back Pack
• Healthy Snack i.e. Trail Mix, fruit
• Sturdy Shoes w/ good traction
• Towel
• Extra clothing including socks
• Camera
http://liveandthrivewaterfallhikes.blogspot.com
Sheryl McGlochlin introduces a world of adventure even to those who have never hiked outside their own backyard. She guides more hikes, kayaking, snowshoeing, and skiing adventures in a month than most people do in a lifetime. From the Swiss Alps to the slot canyons of southern Utah, Sheryl is the trusted source for people who want to lead an active, abundant, and adventurous life
Don’t just survive… Live and Thrive!
www.LiveAndThrive.com801.278.5313
Add comment