Bowman Fork - Partial

The Bowman Fork trail located in Mill Creek Canyon is a somewhat tougher hike through some of the densest woods I have been through in Utah. If you do the full 4 miles it will take you to Baker Pass and you can even continue on to Gobblers Knob. We only made it up about 2 miles before calling it good. It was definitely a climb, but it was a very beautiful climb. This is  one of those trails that is not necessarily the destination, but the adventure that makes it.

The thick forest along the trail.

Quick Details:

Length: 4 miles one way 8 miles round trip. We did 4 total today.
Difficulty: DR4. This one was tough and the elevation gain never let up, in fact seemed to be getting steeper and steeper along the way.
Elevation Gain: 3080. We did 1489 today.
Restroom: There is a pit toilet at the trailhead.
Dogs? Yes. Must be leashed on even days. Please clean up after your furry friends.
Other Info: Fee area. $3.00 day use fee to be paid while exiting the canyon.

To Get Here:

Take i215 to the 3900 south exit and head east to Wasatch Blvd. Turn left. At the first light which is 3800 south, turn right. After passing the ranger gate drive up the canyon about 4.5 miles. There will be a small turnoff on the right just before the Terraces Picnic Area. Follow the small rd. for about a quarter mile. There will be more picnic tables. Follow the signs to the trailhead which is southeast.

I took a (DBP) picture of the road as we were coming down to show how small it is. There are a couple pull outs to allow cars to pass by though.

The Trail:

Looking across the canyon.

About 15-20 feet up keep an eye out for the split, and go right. Going forward will take you to Elbow Fork which is also a nice trail, but not what we were after today.

I think that is Mount Raymond.

Someone was nice enough to build this bridge over a steep area.

Family tree.

The forest is really, really thick though here.

Eventually the trail meets Bowman Fork creek.

Thick forest. You can see some of the smoke from the picnic area below.

Tiny little creek.

The trail is really overgrown on some parts.

Flowers.

First little bridge.

Leaky water thingy.

Mount Olympus Wilderness. This sign looks fairly new.

Pretty forest.

The very narrow canyon barely has room for the creek and the trail.

Fallen trees, quite a few of these that are high enough to walk right under.

The 2nd little bridge.

More forest.

The 3rd bridge.

More of the pretty forest.

Really thin through here.

Getting really thick and overgrown again.

Pretty wildflower.

Expired fireweeds. From what I have noticed this means the beginning of the end of wildflower season.

Thick forest.

Couple bands of aspens.

The fourth bridge. At about a mile in, this signifies the end of the somewhat easy so far section as well as a departure from the creek.

Now the real climb starts.

Remember to look up.

Thimbleberries.

And these weird berries. I don’t think I have ever seen these before.

More up, and more thick overgrowth.

Little clearing at the first switchback.

Monkshood.

A pretty orbweaver.

Back to the pretty forest.

Another orbweaver and his cool web. I don’t know what my deal is, I am rather arachnophobic, but I can still enjoy the pretty/more fascinating ones. In the woods, where I can control the approach. I still sure as hell don’t want one on me.

Getting a peek at the peaks across the way.

There is a dry creek bed at the next switchback. This looks like something straight out of Oregon. So pretty.

Onwards and forwards and definitely more up.

Looking up again.

The next switchback.

I really am loving being in this dense forest.

I stared at the dark shape back there for some time swearing I saw movement a couple times, thinking it might be a moose. nope, stump. haha.

Well we agreed on 2 miles today and had just hit that, but could see the trail was about to go around the ridge, so, hoping for a nice viewpoint at least, we pushed on just a little further.

Well, darn. Not much of a view.

The trail does continue. And it really is a shame that we put in this much effort, but like I said, I enjoyed the hike today. The never-ending elevation gain made us go a slower pace and we got to enjoy the forest and all it offered. Not to mention, if we pushed on, we’d be up here well after dark.

Weird looking tree.

Lush forest.

Heading back down the trail.

I’m still not 100% sure, but I believe these are lodge pole pines. We are high enough for it (they prefer elevations over 6000 feet).

Pretty flowers.

Tree silhouettes.

More forest.

Back down to the creek.

Almost stepped on this guy making his way across the trail.

Spider in a dome.

Nice lighting here.

Some parts of this trail really make me think of Oregon.

The creek.

More trees.

The little creek again.

Daisys.

More creek.

More forest.

After exiting the main canyon you get a nice view of Mill Creek Canyon.

Lizard!

Chillin on a rock.

Looking back towards the canyon we came out of.

One of the picnic sites just below the trailhead.

Cool rock formations by the ranger gate.

Well that was a nice hike. The forest was incredible, the stream was lovely and not very many people on the trail. We didn’t finish it, but what we did do I really enjoyed. Even if it was constantly UP. For the first half we did do, I am going with a good 9 out of 10.

As for difficulty, it is a consistent UP getting even more steep after the first mile. A little rocky in places and somewhat overgrown in places as well. DR4 for this section.

Dogs are allowed! Must be leashed on even days. Please clean up after your furry friends.