Waterfall Canyon - Winter

Waterfall Canyon is a great little trail system in Ogden that features a 200 foot waterfall. It’s neat in the summer months, but I think I prefer this hike in winter! The trail offers very little shelter so it can be very hot in the summer, but enjoyable in winter. Plus, the waterfall is absolutely incredible when frozen. I highly recommend having a hiking pole and at least micro spikes as there are a couple steep climbs, and some icy sections. We’ve done this one in winter before, but it was kind of foggy that day so I wanted to come back on a clear day.

Quick Details:

Length: The Utah.com hiking page put it at 2.4 miles. My app put it at 2.7 out and back.
Difficulty: DR5. This is a constant climb, and there are a couple steep parts.
Elevation Gain: About 1400 ft.
Restroom: Yes, but closed in winter.
Dogs? Yes, leashed.
Other Info: Wintertime in the mountains can be dangerous. be sure to check avalanche conditions and have appropriate gear. Also: Frozen waterfalls can have ice breaking off and falling down. Don’t get too close.

To Get Here:

Use the 29th street trailhead. Take i15 to 31th St exit in Ogden, head east. On Washington scooch north 2 blocks to 28th St. After the high school, which blocks 29th st on Harrison, use any street to go south 1 block to  29th street. Head east until you hit the mountain, turn right to the 29th St Trailhead. There is ample parking here.

The Trail:

The 29th St Trailhead

Malan Peak.

There are quite a few trails here. Follow the signs for the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (keep left until you hit the BST).

The snow is packed down on this popular trail. That makes for easier hiking.

Before long you already get a nice view of the Ogden Valley. Already have some inversion building up after the storm a few days ago.

Somebody built these adorable little snowmen.

At about 2/10’s of a mile you will reach the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. It is quite a bit wider. Head right to keep going towards Waterfall Canyon.

Malan Peak again.

At about a quarter mile you will come to the TR Guest Ranch property line. they own the area and have graciously allowed the public to hike on these trails. Be sure to respect their property and treat it with kid gloves (as we all should on public trails as well). Some awful people have caused them to react a little weirdly in the past, so don’t be the person that contributes to us losing access to this neat trail.

The trail just seems to go on forever and ever.

Good wintery shot.

Lovely view of the valley below.

I think that hill is the hill by the Kingfisher Wetlands Trail.

The southern facing slopes are generally snow free here.

Old rusty water towers.

Approximately at a half mile you will finally reach Waterfall Canyon.

More climbing. Oi.

Looking out towards the valley.

The trail split to the left will lead to the BST Scenic Route. In December to can also find the BST Christmas Tree along the way, but this will likely add another 2 ish miles, but it does loop back to the parking lot.

Rocks above with an itty bitty window.

Fun icicles above.

At about 3/4 of a mile you will come to the first of 3 bridges, and just beyond it is the next major trail split.

The TR Guest Ranch has put in a cooler here. While this is their property, and they can use it how they see fit, this was a pretty pool before. I would have rather they had put it below the bridge. But, meh.

4 way trail split. Right will continue along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, left will take you to the waterfall. Forward, well, that is closed to the public. I learned it is the base of their via ferrata climbing route. Anyway, go left.

Old wooden pipe. Be careful through this section as it can be icy.

Just a ways up is the 2nd bridge.

Fun icicles.

Fun rock formations.

More fun icicles.

The stretch after the bridge is definitely a climb! Oi.

Looking down towards the mouth of the canyon.

Cliffs above.

Another view down canyon.

Now you will follow the creek for the most part for the rest of the way.

Neat ice formations.

The creek again.

Fun tree tunnel.

More of the cliffs above.

The trail and creek.

Starting to get a peek of the waterfall and (what I call) Dr. Seuss Peak. Almost there!

The peaks on the other side kind of look the the Flatirons in Colorado.

Almost there. Better view of Dr Seuss Peak.

The 3rd and final bridge is just a tube, but it does the trick.

After this bridge you have the final scramble. It’s a little tougher, but not too bad.

You will be rewarded with this spectacular view!

Bottom detail.

Middle detail. The natural ice structures remind me of the Ice Castles. While not natural at all, the do grow the ice structures naturally.

The waterfall is so big it’s hard to capture in one shot.

It’s kind of hard to see, but there is a good ring of ice that has broken off the waterfall. We decided to keep our distance.It’s been a little warmer the last couple days so it is definitely starting to break apart. We did end up watching a few pieces come down while we were up here. So, be safe and avoid the base of the falls. An ice chunk to the head probably wouldn’t end well.

The top of the waterfall is running freely.

View down canyon.

The crescent shaped cliff with Dr. Seuss Peak to the left. I call it that cause it’s all twisted and curvy like his cartoons.

Stitched a few photos together to try and get the entire thing.

Took a quick video. You can see the water flowing beneath the ice at the end there.

We climbed up a little higher and got this nice view.

The waterfall again.

Top of the waterfall again.

More icicles.

View down again.

Sunset lighting up the tippy tops of the cliffs.

Another stitch.

Another detail shot.

Alright, we had fun but we should probably start heading back.

View down again during the sunset.

We had been seeing and hearing pieces of ice fall off and bounce their way down the waterfall while we were up here, and just as we were leaving the area for good:

Landis: “It would be kind of cool to see a big one fall off”.

Right after he finished that sentence a very large chunk did fall off. Would have been better as a video but I wasn’t particularly expecting that. It was really cool to see, but also a little scary.

Me: “Well, there you go. Now don’t do that again!”

I swear sometimes I think he might be a witch.

One last parting shot.

Another section closed to the public. Again, please respect their wishes and stay on the public trail.

Gnarly mess of roots.

Another look down canyon.

Isn’t the deal we have with having to endure cold winters is that we get a break from the bugs?!?! Go home bug! You are breaking the treaty!

Bent trees.

The creek again.

Wintery forest.

Looking out across the valley.

Neat rock formation.

Lone tree growing out of a rock.

Down to the middle bridge. The sun has set, but I think we’ll make it back to the car before full dark. We have headlamps just in case though.

Keep an eye out for the trail split.

The lower bridge.

View down again.

Last bit of the sunset.

The water towers again.

Ben Lomond.

The city below starting to turn on the lights.

Leaving the TR Guest Ranch.

Again, keep an eye out for the trail split to get you back down to the trailhead.

Back down to the trailhead, whew!

Malans Peak.

This is a great hike. I think not only do I prefer to do this hike in the winter vs. the summer, but I also think this is my favorite winter hike. It’s a good workout, but, as long as avalanche conditions are favorable, I think it is generally safe. All while providing amazing views and a truly exceptional frozen waterfall. We only ran into a couple other people today, and actually had the waterfall to ourselves for the entire time were were there. 10 out of 10 squirrels. It’s just so cool in winter.

As for difficulty, like I said it is a constant climb and a lot of elevation to gain on such a short trail. But the trail is mostly wide and easy, with a final scramble at the end. DR5.

Dogs are allowed, leashed. Please clean up after your furry friend.