Shepard Creek Trail

The Shepard Creek Trail in Farmington is a very steep climb up the side of a mountain. The trail doesn’t really follow the creek, but does eventually lead to a waterfall and eventually another trail to continue up to Francis Peak. However we did not make it that far. It got too steep and slick so we decided to be safe and turn around. It does offer lovely view of the valley and a couple interesting things to see along the way.

Quick Details:

Length: 3.2 miles to the upper junction, 1.7 Miles to the waterfall.
Difficulty: DR5 there was a lot of steep climbing on rocky trails.
Elevation Gain: 2626 Feet total, not sure how much to the waterfall, but at least 600.
Restroom: No.
Dogs? Yes, leashed.
Other Info: Not a good option if you have issues with heights like I do. There was a short section I almost didn’t make it through.

To Get Here:

From i15 take the exit for US 89 North of Lagoon. Take exit 396 for Shepard Ln. Turn left on Main St. Turn right on 1400 N. Turn right on N Compton Rd. Turn Left on Grandview Dr. Turn Left onto Bella Vista Dr. There will be an elbow on Bella Vista Drive where it crosses the bottom of the canyon. Park here.

The Trail:

Trailhead. Look for this break in the fence on the south side of the creek

The trail near the bottom.

Not very far from the fence opening, I’d say about 1000 feet or so, look for this trail split and go right.

Last time we tried to do this trail we did not know to take this split. There is a faint trail along the creek but it fizzled out on us.

If you pass the water diversion thingie below, you missed the trail split.

Some wooden steeps have been put in to assist going up the steep section, and someone has added a rope even.

After the stairs there is a nice gradual climb up the mountain.

Here you can see Window Cave on the other side of the canyon. We did that a couple weeks ago.

Already getting a great view of the valley below.

You can just make out the little window in the cave here.

There is a frustrating spider web of trails all along this hill but Farming has put in some signs to help keep you on the path.

Looking up Shepard Canyon.

Beach Cobblestone. They think these rocks were polished by the waves of Lake Bonneville.

And I think this is Farmington jade. Kind of neat.

These rocks are neat too.

There is a little campsite up here on the bench.

But the view, now that is incredible!

You can see Lagoon from here.

Back to the little campsite.

Neat little chair shaped rock. It wasn’t very comfortable haha.

This is about .6 miles and 533 feet up from the bottom and is almost to the next trail junction. This is a good destination, and probably where you want to turn around if you don’t like thin trails on steep slopes.

Continuing along the trail.

The next trail junction. Forward will continue along the bench on the Farmington Upper Terrace trail. We haven’t done that one yet, but it is on the same bench the Fruit Heights Upper Terrace trail is, but that is just North of here on the other side of the canyon. Where the FHUTT leads to Baer Canyon this one leads to leads to Farmington Canyon.

Left will take us, rather steeply towards Shepard Canyon. The sign here says the waterfall is 1.1 miles up. That doesn’t sound so bad. This section of trail is 2.6  miles and climbs 2626 feet.

Trail sign actually has some info on it.

Oh boy. Up we go!

It’s not too bad, but I really struggle with thin trails on steep slopes. I had to take a few breaks but I made it to the top of this.

Another view below.

The ponds at Farmington Bay.

It would appear that some poor bird met their demise here.

Steep trail.

Really cool rock formation.

And we made it to the top. Oh boy, that was tough. But this is a great overlook as well.

Another trail split. Right goes to Francis Peak, left continues along Shepard Creek.

Nice view up canyon. Also you can see after the steep climb to the ridge we get a little break of mellow trail for a while.

The trail is a lot thinner up here though.

Next trail split. Right will take you to what is apparently an exceptional campsite. Left will continue along the canyon.

The canyon and Francis Peak above.

The trail is thin but the Farmington trail people have put up ribbons and cans nailed to the trees so you know you are still going the right way. Might be more of a challenge with more snow though.

Pretty scrub oaks.

Thin trail through the trees.

The thin, snow covered trail along a steep slope. We had already slipped a couple times and doing so on such a steep slope didn’t seem like a good idea. So we decided to be safe instead of sorry. Shame, as we only had about a half mile more to go.

Trees and clouds.

Looking up the canyon.

I’m convinced this was is a deer trail.

Looks like there was a fire here at some point.

I like the clouds today.

Back to the ridge top. Lovely view.

And now we have to go down this. Oi.

Got through the worst of it, now just working our way down.

Antelope Island.

Cool rocks.

Passing through Beach Cobblestone again.

Window Cave again.

Antelope Island. I am pretty sure that bump on the left is The Sentry and the one on the right side is Beacon Knob.

Back to the stairs.

That was a fun slightly more difficult challenge than we are used to. It had some great views but overall I just didn’t like all the steep sections. Wish we had made it to the waterfall, it just got a little to sketchy for me. I always go back and forth whether I should post the trails we turn around on and sometimes I don’t but I also think it’s good to provide these trail conditions. Anyway for it being such a beautiful day before what is expected to be a large storm there weren’t a lot of people. Overall, for what we did do I would give it a 6. But if I made it to the waterfall I might push that up some.

As for difficulty definitely a DR5. Long sections of steep climbs and thin trail to follow.

Dogs are allowed. Please remember to clean up after your furry friends.