Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge

Suspension bridges are normally found in mountainous regions, but as far as I knew there weren’t any around here, that is until I discovered the recently built Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge in Draper. This neat bridge spans 185 feet across the 130 foot deep canyon. A bridge is not normally something I decide is something to hike to, rather something I cross on my way to a destination, but this bridge was interesting enough to make a destination. And you can make a nice 2 mile loop trail to enjoy it.

Quick Details:

Length: 2 mile loop
Difficulty: DR4 There is some UP.
Elevation Gain: About 900 Feet.
Restroom: Yes! There are 3 flush toilets at Orson Smith Park
Dogs? Yes, leash required and stay on this trail. You are skirting watershed so if you bring Fido along, you’ll want to avoid crossing into it.
Other Info: This bridge sits on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST) and can be reached from other trailheads.
You can view the official Draper City map of the area here (outside link).

To get here: Take exit 291 for 12300 south in Draper. Head east to 900 e. and turn right. Take the first left onto Pioneer Rd. Continue through the traffic circle, staying on Pioneer rd. Turn right on 2000 e. Turn left into Orson Smith Park located at 12625 Highland Dr.

As we drove east on Pioneer Drive I spotted the bridge (DBP).

The trailhead is just to the left of the restrooms.

The trail quickly starts switch backing up the side of the mountain on the way to the Aqueduct Trail.

Pro Tip: If you see a log across a side trail like this, it generally means the trail is closed for revegetation. They usually place these across shortcuts people make between switchbacks in an attempt to keep people on the main trail and allow the vegetation to come back.

Already getting a pretty nice view.

Looks like there was a fire here not too long ago.

Looking up at the mountains. Can’t see Lone Peak from here but it’s up above there somewhere.

Great view of Kennecott Mine.

The wildflowers are starting to bloom!

The mountains to the north.

And to the south. Corner Canyon is around the bend to the left.

After .26 M you will reach the Aqueduct Trail. You want to head North.

This is the way we came down. You can go up this way, but I think I prefer the way we did it.

Continuing along the Aqueduct Trail.

Fantastic views of the valley from up here.

And there it is!

Now, one of the reasons this bridge was built was to divert hikers from watershed. This section of the canyon itself is private property as well. So, don’t hike up here, keep going until you see the switchbacks on the north side of the canyon.

Bottom of the canyon. Only a little bit of water trickling down.

this is NOT the trail. Keep going.

The bridge from below again.

Again, not the trail. In case the no trespassing sign is not enough.

That small sign, that is what you want.

After following the Aqueduct Trail for .41 miles you will then start heading up the switchbacks up the Bear Canyon Link trail towards the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.

It is still pretty wide and comfortable and only slightly steep.

Rounding the corner into Bear Canyon.

And we can see the bridge again.

More wildflowers.

Another switchback.

Oooh! I think I see a waterfall up there.

Getting closer to the bridge.

Only another .35 miles UP (total so far 1.02) you will finally reach the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. It should be pretty obvious, but hang a right here to cross the bridge.

People hiking on the ridge above.

And finally Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge. It is a pretty remarkable bridge.

Information plaque. It spans 185 feet across the canyon hanging 130 feet in the air. It was completed July 1st 2015. Wow, this thing is less than 2 years old! It is on private property, but is maintained by Draper City. Designed and constructed by Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction Company and paid for by donations. I like the final touch of ‘Please use, but Don’t Abuse’.

Wow! This is a cool bridge!

Looking up Bear Canyon.

Thick cable holding it up.

About the mid point.

I am terrified of heights. I honestly thought I would get a couple feet out and say NOPE and return the way we came. But, this bridge is sturdy and the high sides make it just fine. The last bridge over a deep canyon I tried was a big nope but this, this is great. It did swing a little bit, but not enough to freak me out, well, too much.

View out across the valley.

Nearing the end.

Little waterfall below. Looks like the water is diverted between here and the Aqueduct Trail below.

Warning sign for the bridge. I must have missed the one on the other side. Luckily it wasn’t windy today.

From the other side. Yay! I successfully crossed a 130 foot high suspension bridge! That was really, really cool!

Some of the people to thank for the bridge.

So that waterfall I mentioned… I decided to see if we could get to it. This small section is extra, and not included in the 2 mile loop I mentioned at the beginning.

Also, posted, No dogs in this area. So if you brought Fido along, don’t head up here.

Bear Canyon.

The bridge below.

Into the forest!

Oh, look a cute little red bridge! I think this must have been the original way across the creek. It is about 1/10 of a mile from the BST we came from.

There is a little waterfall here. Obviously not the one I saw earlier. But it is lovely.

Looking downstream.

We decided to keep going to see if it lead to the waterfall.

A couple birds circling above.

Rocky cliffs above.

Well we didn’t get very far before deciding that it didn’t look like it would take us to the waterfall and was heading back out of the canyon. After I got home I learned that is does connect to The Trail Of The Eagle which keeps going up, but it looks like it follows the ridge and doesn’t get close to the creek. Darn. It does also loop back to the BST trail again if you want to continue the loop or make a figure 8.

Anyway, we decided to head back down and continue our original loop idea.

The little red bridge and waterfall.

Oh. it looks like this bridge was built in 1997. Only 20 years old itself.

Mossy rock.

The suspension bridge again.

Back on the BST.

We went back and I took a few more shots of the bridge from this end.

Back to the trail.

View across the SL Valley.

That is the Bear Canyon Connector Trail we took up.

The Bonneville Shoreline Trail.

Another view of the Kennecott Mine.

Panoramic valley shot.

Peaks above.

You will pass the Cherry Canyon Logging Trail.

Neat split rock.

After almost a half mile from the bridge you will come to the Orson Smith Trail split. Follow that back down to complete the loop down to the trailhead.

The valley below again.

This section of trail is pretty chill. Nice and flat, and nice views of the valley below.

Some rather big raptor hunting. Unfortunately, by the time I got the telephoto lens out it was gone.

But, it wasn’t a complete waste. Got a closer picture of the cracked rock.

Hills above.

Now we hit the switchbacks down.

Nice view of the mountains.

The valley again.

Switchbacks.

The valley again. Lots of great views along the way.

Another panoramic.

And .46 miles later we have returned to the Aqueduct Trail.

About 20 feet or so to the south you will see the sign for the Orson Smith Trailhead in case you need a reminder of where to head back down.

Looking up at the mountains again.

And ..26 miles late you will reach the trailhead for a total of 1.97 miles (plus whatever side trips you decide to do).

Mount Jordan (Lone Peak) from below (DBP).

Like I said, a bridge is not my standard destination to seek out, but this was really neat and unlike any bridge we have around here (that I am aware of) and I it was a totally fun hike with some great sights to enjoy. Not too difficult at all. This is a good time of year to do it as there is not a lot of shelter from the sun. Going with 9 out of 10 squirrels.

As for difficulty, it certainly has some UP but the trails are generally wide, hard packed dirt with not a lot of rocks. Going with a DR4.

Dogs are allowed, leashed, and so long as you stay on the main trails.