Lower Bell Canyon Reservoir via Boulder Trail

Bell Canyon is a great trail system located in Sandy Utah. The lower reservoir is actually quite scenic and is a great option when you don’t have a lot of time, or just want a quick adventure. it can be accessed via the Boulder Trail like we did today, or via the Granite Trail. The Granite Trail is the longer option at close to .75 miles, but it is a little more gradual climb. The Boulders Trail is shorter, but is a relentless climb strait up for almost the entire way. It’s been a while since we did the Boulders Trail so I thought we’d try it again, I was promptly reminded why we typically do the Granite Trail. Oi.

Quick Details:

Length: .5 Miles one way. You can add a .5 mile loop around the reservoir (while it is low on water. when it is full it is longer). You also have the option of adding The Lower Waterfall and Upper waterfall, as well as the Upper Reservoir.
Difficulty: DR4. This was strait up, very rocky, and almost no shade whatsoever.
Elevation Gain: About 500 feet.
Restroom: Not at this trailhead. There is one at the nearby Granite Trailhead though.
Dogs? No. This falls within watershed boundaries.

To Get Here:

From Wasatch BLVD and 9400 South, go south on Wasatch for about 2/10 of a mile. The parking lot is on the left, and you will have to do a U-turn just a smidge beyond it due to the median. If parking is full, consider the Granite Trailhead, or there is overflow parking between both trails as well.

The wildfire smoke is not as bad today (DBP). The mountains are definitely faint, but at least I can make them out.

The Trail:

The trail starts with this nice staircase.

You follow the thin trail between private property. Be sure to stay on the trail and respect private property.

Then the climb really starts. oi.

It really seems too early for this, but it looks like the leaves are starting to turn.

More up. Also, showing how popular the trail is.

Looking out across the valley. The Oquirrhs are just a silhouette, maybe it isn’t much better today.

Looking more north west.

Definitely seeing some color change already. This is going to be a weird fall season.

Eventually you will cross the creek.

It is actually flowing a bit more than I expected for this late in the year.

More up. Oi.

Some more early changers.

Just a smidge past the bridge is about halfway.

Another view of the valley.

I think I am getting a sense of why they call it The Boulders Trail.

At about 4/10’s of a mile it finally levels out and is a little easier for the last little bit.

I think this side trail will take you to the top of the hill. We didn’t do that today. Continue forward to reach the reservoir.

Nice view of Bell Canyon above. Almost there.

We made it! Holy crap the water level is really low right now.

Duckies!

Every time we actually reach the reservoir we think, oh, we should have brought some grapes! We never think about it before getting there. Meh. Maybe next time.

Here you can see just how low it is.

The reservoir with Bell Canyon above.

Quick panoramic.

Some nice reflection.

It is pathetically low.

Little side stream meandering towards the lake.

On the back end of the pond we had to carefully decide the best route to take. We managed to avoid most of the mud though.

Here is where the main creek comes out.

And works it’s way down to the lake.

A little bit of fall color.

Random rock art.

I couldn’t see these guys (and I guess they couldn’t see us approaching either) because they were behind a large boulder. So we kind of surprised each other. Sorry duckies!

Back to the front of the lake. That is a much shorter walk when it is this low. When it is full the trail around it doesn’t stay along the shores.

Closer look into Bell Canyon. If you have binoculars or a telephoto lens, you can see the lower waterfall from a few places on the upper trail.

Here a shot from a hike up here from 2015.

More ducks. Looks like it is naptime for most of them.

More ducks.

The outlet stream. When the reservoir is this low, the water comes out a little bit lower via the outlet valves.

Time to head on back.

More color.

Rays of light below.

The smoky view below.

Back down to the bridge.

A look up into Little Cottonwood Canyon (DBP).

I love the lower reservoir. I think it is probably one of the more scenic reservoirs we have. However, I was definitely reminded why we normally take the other trail. This one is shorter, but it is just a constant UP. There is practically no shade and it is a very popular trail as well with a lot of people, but not as bad as some other popular trails. Going with 8 out of 10 Squirrels.

As for difficulty, this one has no shade and is a constant climb, and the trail is very rocky. Going with a dr4.

Dogs are not allowed as this is within our watershed boundaries. Be sure to leave Fido home today.