Adams Canyon - Lower Falls

Adams Canyon is a great canyon in Layton that leads to a beautiful 40 ft waterfall. There is an often overlooked side trail that leads to an almost as impressive 20 ft waterfall. We’ve done the trail to the upper falls a couple times already so I thought it was time we explored the lower falls.

Quick Details:

Length: About a half mile to the waterfall, 1 mile round trip.
Difficulty: DR4. To actually get to the waterfall requires a little bit of mountain goat skills.
Elevation Gain: About 370 ft, and pretty much all of that is in the first quarter mile.
Restroom: None. Closest I can think of is there is a gas station a little north on 89.
Dogs? Yes! Please clean up after your furry friends.

To get here: From south, take the 89 north exit just passed lagoon.Take that for about 6.2 miles to east side drive and turn right. Turn right immediatly again continue for about 3/10 of a mile, the dirt parking lot will be on the left.

Dirt parking lot.

The switchbacks up!

Another empty reservoir.

Huh, this is new. Oh, 2015 eagle scout project I see. But cool, some information about the person for which the canyon is named.

Great view of antelope island.

I think that is Adams Reservoir, and possibly what the plaque above mentions.

One of the many sandy switchbacks.

After the first main switchback set (I lost my count, but the guide I used says 10) there is a short flat section before a couple more switchbacks. You will see 3 trails veer off to the right, the first 2 are below this bench.

And the third is right after it. The guide I used said this trail is easier, I honestly don’t really see a difference, they all get there, neither is any quicker, or easier.

I have been aware of the lower falls for a while now, but was a little concerned it was going to be kind of scary, but uh… this is not bad at all!

Antelope Island again.

Nice and flat after the switchbacks. There was a trail split before here, one went up the other down. The down looked like the more beaten path so I took that. Not sure if up would reach the same place.

Getting into Adams Canyon proper.

Before long you start to hear it, and very quickly you catch the first glimpse. This part of the trail is right along the top of a drop off section. Excersize caution.

Okay, a little scary, but not too bad. Just take your time.

And the worst of it. It looks worse than it really is, but there are almost perfect steps between the rocks and the roots. Again, take your time and be careful and you can make it down and back up okay.

And we have arrived! Wow! This is a great little waterfall! Even at the end of the water season it has a good amount coming down!

Down next to the creek.

Long exposure.

Getting in a little closer.

Another long exposure.

This is really a great waterfall!

My little mountain goat.

From the other side of the creek.

This is really a lovely waterfall.

From a little closer.

Very pretty.

Me for size.

The little alcove to the side offers a cool view as well as a interesting sound! When you crouch down into it, the waterfall noise is amplified.

the trail up to the other side looks quite a bit steeper. As far as I can tell, this trail reconnects with the main trail, as well as connectinting to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and heads down towards East Mountain Wilderness Park.

The waterfall from the alcove.

the trail to the alcove is a little sketchy, but manageable.

Last parting shot. We really enjoyed having the waterfall to ourselves for so long, but decided it was time to head home.

climbing back up out of the canyon. It’s a little rough, but not terrible.

Landis decided to climb a little higher. He reported back that you can see above the falls, but it is a straight drop down. Okay. neat.

More of the trail out.

Back to the nice flat trail. There is a firepit there to the right. Not sure if this is a particularly good spot to camp with the wind whipping everything up.

Antelope Island.

Adams Reservoir to the left, and Holmes Creek Reservoir to the right.

Well that is an increible short trail to a great waterfall! I am kind of kicking myself for avoiding it for as long as I have as it really isn’t that hard, nor scary! There are only a few other waterfalls that I can think of that are this easy to access so it is definitely worth exploring! The guide I used had children with them, so that is doable, personally I think I would be a little nervous, but I think I might try it with them someday. Just keep a close eye on them as you approach the canyon. 10 out of 10 squirrels!

As for difficulty, for the most part the trail is pretty easy. Fast elevation gain up the sandy switchbacks, and then flat, but then you come to the canyon and there are some drop offs and some steep climbs to actually see the waterfall. Going with a DR4.

Dogs are allowed! Please clean up after your furry friends!