Dimple Dell: Badger Cove Trailhead

 The new Badger Cove Trailhead in Dimple Dell Regional Park in Sandy finally opened a few months ago so we decided to come check it out. I have been watching it being built for a little while now so it was great to finally be able to use it. The new trailhead has all updated amenities, flush toilets, drinking fountains, paved parking. It appears to connect to the Dry Creek Trail. I totally spaced my camera's memory card today, so just iPhone pictures today.

Quick Details:

Length: We just did a short mile out and back, however there are definitely longer options.
Trail Type: Out and back, loop options.
Difficulty: For what we did, a simple DR3.
Elevation Gain: We did about 100 feet today.
Restroom: Yes, flush toilets. No soap though.
Dogs? Yes, leashed at all times though.
Other Info:

To Get Here:

From i15 take the 106th south exit. Head east. Just past 13th east there is a small turn off for Badger cove on the left. Follow that down to the trailhead.

The Trail:

The new trailhead features flush toilets, drinking fountains, ADA parking and a few picnic areas. Unfortunately, the restrooms do not provide soap though.

As far as I can tell, at this time, the trail access is to the west, past the picnic areas.

It starts out with a wood chip lined trail.

Then the turn off heading down into the gully is beach sand. Which as far as I can tell is what gives Sandy it’s name.

Very quickly we find ourselves in a nice forested section.

Dry Creek is no longer dry.

More forest.

Better shot of Dry Creek. A few years ago the city worked with the water rights to try and allow Dry Creek to flow once more down this gully. It is really nice! However in my experience some trails were cut off.

The creek again.

I think this is houndstongue.

Then we pop out of the forest and find ourselves in a more desert landscape.

Mount Jordan.

The creek again.

Well, we just wanted something short today, and we hit about a half mile, so we decided to head back.

Heading back.

Wallflowers. We had these in our garden last year, but they did not come back this year.

I think this is purple dead nettle, a type of mint.

Cliffs on the other side.

Overhanging trees.

Some equestrians were “towing” a cute little baby. Whom the riders advised was a naughty little baby.

More pretty forest.

Small clearing.

Dry Creek again.

Upstream.

This kind of looks like beaver activity, however I am pretty sure there aren’t any beaver in here.

The creek again. It is so nice to see it running now. 

More forest.

Whoa! Big clovers!

They are almost as big as some that I have seen in Oregon.

Oregon clover to compare.

More forest.

I forget what these are.

Getting pretty thick.

Another flower I am not sure about.

Then we hit the sandy beach sand again. 

There are currently no signs pointing you back to the trailhead, so you just have to kind of remember. Luckily I am pretty good at that. The trailhead is still just a few months old, so I imagine signage may be added eventually.

Short narrow path through some bushes.

Looking up at the new trailhead.

Looking back towards Mount Jordan.

Back to the woodchip lined path.

Looking back down into the gully.

Cliffrose.

Back to the trailhead.

Little Cottonwood Canyon and Bell Canyon.

Quail.

Well, that was a fun, quick little jaunt in Dimple Dell. The new trailhead is great and offers quick access to the bottom of the gully without a crazy climb back up. Plus the amenities are nice with flush toilets, running water, drinking fountains and picnic areas. I do wish they provided soap though. But otherwise it is great. 9 out of 10 squirrels today.

As for difficulty, it is pretty easy going, you do have to return uphill but its not too bad. DR3.

Dogs are allowed, but should be leashed at all times. Please clean up after your furry friend.

Mill B Waterfalls

 There are three easy to reach waterfalls at the Mill B Trailhead in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Hidden Falls on Mill B North, and two unnamed falls on the Mill B South Interpretive Trail. We have seen all of them before, but after the tougher hike we did yesterday, I thought for our bonus day we’d take it a little easier.

Quick Details:

Length: Hidden falls is about 2/10 of a mile out and back. Mill B South is about 8/10ths of a mile and back, so just over a mile total for all 3.
Trail Type: Double out and back.
Difficulty: Both are pretty easy DR3.
Elevation Gain: About 280 feet.
Restroom: Yes, at Mill B South.
Dogs? No. Big Cottonwood Canyon is watershed.
Other Info: It sounds like this may become a fee area soon, which is sucks, and part of why we came today.

To Get Here:

Drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon about 4.4 miles to the big S Curve. Find a spot and park.

The Trail:

Unfortunately I totally forgot my memory card. I have 2 fail safes against this, and well, today they both failed, so, iPhone photos it is for the day.

Starting with Hidden Falls, which is to the north, or the top of the S Curve.

Trailhead kiosk.

The beginning of the trail.

It is a neat little waterfall in a narrow little canyon.

Again.

Big tree growing in the cliffs.

Hidden falls again.

Closer.

Again.

Quick video.

The waterfall again.

Landis braved boulder hopping to get a little closer.

Trees growing in the cliffs again.

Mill B North.

Again.

Again.

Last time we did this trail our feet got wet, but I am not sure if new trails prevented that, or if the creek was not as high.

The scurry across Big Cottonwood Road. It is kind of a 2 edged sword, the S Curve forces most drivers to slow down, but also obscures visibility so it is a little sketchy to cross. Just be patient and an opening should come up.

The bottom of the S Curve.

On to Mill B South.

Woo! Big Cottonwood Creek is absolutely gushing!

Most of the Mill B South trail is paved.

Big Cottonwood Creek again.

Pretty forest.

The trail up to Lake Blanche which is an awesome hike I haven’t done in a while.

The little waterfall at the bottom of Mill B South, just before it joins Big Cottonwood Creek.

Big Cottonwood Creek again.

The big cascades on Big Cottonwood Creek. As far as I can tell this is not named, but I think its fun.

Quick video.

Couple more shots.

Lower cascade.

Landis mountain goated up the rocks to get a view of the top.

Well, we decided to head on back.

Some of the creek overflowing.

One of my favorite butterflies, the silvery blue. Unfortunately he didn’t open up for me to see the pretty blue color.

The little Mill B South waterfall again.

Weird spraying pipe.

More pretty forest.

Tree roots pushing the sidewalk up.

More forest.

A peak across the way.

Back to the S Curve and that peak again.

The S Curve and down canyon.

Storm Mountain as we head down the canyon (Passenger Seat Photography (PSP)).

Well that was a fun quick little adventure to see some nice little waterfalls. The canyon was a little busier today than it was yesterday, but this area wasn’t too bad. It was a fun quick adventure day. 8 out 10 squirrels.

As for difficulty, both trails are fairly easy The South trail is mostly paved, but has a section at the end that is not. DR3.

Dogs are not allowed in Big Cottonwood Canyon so be sure to leave Fido home.