Waterfall Canyon

 

We were up in Ogden today, so while we were up there I decided we should finally hike Waterfall canyon.

The trailhead is at the top of 29th street. There are several trails here, but it is has adequate signage and finding the correct trail isn’t too difficult.

Malan Peak from the trailhead.

View of Ogden below. There are several fires burning in the state, and we have gone… I don’t know how long without a significant storm. So the smoke and pollution are really bad right now.

This part of the trail isn’t too bad, except that there isn’t any shelter from the sun. Landis says the tree is a Russian Olive. I like how it arches over the trail.

Another view of the valley below.

Cool old water towers.

And our first glimpse into Waterfall Canyon.

Pretty purple flowers and red berries. I was unable to identify this plant.

Here is the first bridge. Before it, the trail is fairly easy. After it, the trail gets pretty rough. Also note, after the bridge the trail splits 3 ways. To the right, goes back down the other side of the stream to another trail head (I presume) forward, well forward was interesting.

Forward took us to a cliff face with this iron ladder deal. What the heck is this?

A closer look at the sign advised us no trespassing.  Not really a problem as I don’t do heights, but now I am intrigued. Luckily the sign pointed me into the right place.

Mount Ogden Via Ferrata. Basically it looks like a way to allow inexperienced people experience rock climbing in a safer more controlled environment. Sounds pretty cool, but again, heights.

Interesting side trip aside, the point is, after the bridge take a left.

Not long after the bridge you will come across the remains of what appear to be an old mill.

 

Check out this wicked cool wooden pipe! I have never seen a wooden pipe.

Here is a caved in section.

From here to the end of the trail is pretty much boulder climbing and traversing rock slides.

This just pisses me off. Why do people need to graffiti nature? Go tag the man made crap.

Pretty orange flowers.

Greenery

The stream doesn’t have a whole lot of water in it, which is leading me to believe the waterfall isn’t going to have a whole lot of water in it.

Thimbleberry Flower. I recently learned all the wild “raspberries” I have been seeing on the trails is actually Thimbleberry.

Pretty Butterfly. Tiny little guy though.

Well I’ll be. Peaks like this exist in real life! Not just a Dr. Seuss book.

Crazy roots! We decided to take another break here to catch our breaths.

Little did I know how close we were to the waterfall!

I was right. Not much more than trickle. It is a really HIGH waterfall though, holy crap it’s huge!

I like how it comes down out of the side of this little crescent shaped cliff face.

View of the smog filled valley below.

The cliff face is wet, but that’s about it.

Some activity towards the mouth of the falls.

I scrambled up to the other end of the canyon to get a better full look of the falls.

 

And a view of the other side of the canyon.

Wet cliff.

Better shot of the mouth.

On the way down we opted to hike the other side of the stream. (south) If you can figure out how to get there, the trail does appear less rough.

Peaks

I like the copper color of the stream.

Another view of the valley below.

Ring around the rock.

Pretty white flower.

Stream above the first bridge.

Panoramic of the valley.

Person on the cliffs above.

Sun rays.

I don’t know what this is, but it is kind of cool.

What the heck is this?!?!?! It looks like a cross between a wasp and a dragonfly! I have never seen anything like it. Some kind of Ichneumonoidea.

Milkweed

And a sign you probably had an epic day in the woods!

At 2.4 miles round trip this is not necessarily a long hike, but it is a tough hike. The first part before the first bridge is fairly easy sandy walk up to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, however it is in full sun. After the bridge, you start getting some shade, however the trail gets a lot steeper, and rockier. I have to say I think it may have been a little more difficult than Lake Blanche, though not as long. However; it is a beautiful hike. And even at the slow trickle the waterfall was worth seeing. Now I need to return in the spring and really see the waterfall in all it’s glory, and also, the view of the Ogden Valley hopefully without the smog.

Final rating: 9 squirrels out of 10.