Yellow Fork Canyon - Lower Loop

 Yellow Fork Canyon is a gentle canyon located in Herriman. It features a stream, canyon and valley views, a nice scrub oak forest, and a good chance of wildlife. There are a lot of trail options in the area. Today I decided to do a figure 8 loop with the Yellow Fork Road and Yellow Fork Trail and an un-named trail. We regularly visit Yellow Fork Canyon, but this is the first time we have done this particular loop.

Quick Details:

Length: We did a 2.19 mile figure 8. But the trail does keep going.
Trail Type: Figure 8. out and back, loop options.
Difficulty: DR3. It is a super mild climb.
Elevation Gain: We did about 300 feet today.
Restroom: There is a vault toilet at the trailhead.
Dogs? Yes, leashed.
Other Info:

To Get Here:

From i15 take exit 289 for Bangerter Highway. Go about 5 miles and turn left on 13400 S. Go about 3 miles and turn left on 6400 W,/Rose Canyon Rd. .6 miles later turn right to stay on Rose Canyon Rd. 1.4 miles later turn left to stay on Rose Canyon Rd. About 2 miles later will be the trailhead parking.

If you are starting from Bangerter and are north, Start from 13400 S. But turn right, then follow the rest of the directions above.

The Bingham Canyon Mine (Passenger Seat Photography (PSP)).

Heading up the canyon (PSP).

This boulder next to the spot we parked in has definitely been hit at least once. 

The Trail:

Trailhead kiosk. 

Note: The canyon splits here at the parking lot. Rose Canyon continues up to the left, Yellow Fork to the right.

We started on the Yellow Fork Road.

Random tractor. I guess they are doing some work up here.

It looks like they are building little berms to direct waterflow off of the road. I’m not sure if there is a better way to phrase that but hey.

Landis said how do they know where to build them? Water just goes where it goes. I pointed out the little flag here and said it looks like they had someone who knows their shit come study the area to determine the best spots. Of course, that is just a guess based on observation, but it does seem to make sense.

Neat spooky tree.

The creek below. It is down in a deep gully here.

Continuing up.

Little patch of color left.

The narrow but deep gully.

More run off channels.

Neat cluster of trees.

Some of the run off channels go all the way to the creek, but a lot of them just… end like this. I feel like that will result in just a big puddle… but I am sure they know what they are doing.

The creek, plus an analog beaver dam.

Upstream.

The main fork is to the right. Big Rock Fork to the left.

There is a little picnic area up here where the canyon splits. About a half mile up.

They are revegetating the area here.

Well, one tree still has a little bit of color left.

Crossing the creek.

Downstream.

They have expanded the revegetation area since last time we were here. Plus, new plantings.

More restoration area.

The creek.

It looks like they have dug out the trail a little bit as well.

The creek.

Another beaver dam analog.

Nekkid trees.

Crossing over the creek again.

Downstream.

Upstream.

Continuing up.

The creek.

Fun tree lined section.

More nekkid trees.

Nekkid aspens.

A pair of tree’s with some color left.

Cute little bench.

The big meadow. Normally when I do not have a specific destination in mind, I push for about 1.5 miles, so we get a good 3 mile round trip. But, we got a late start and I figured a mile is probably pushing it a little today regarding daylight. So, we decided to head back.

Heading back down.

Aspens.

Oaks.

Into the thick section again.

It’s a little spooky and I love it.

Again.

Down to the creek crossing again. I noticed a little side trail that stayed on this side of the creek that we have never done before. It is not on any of the official maps… so it’s a new adventure! I thought I remembered seeing a thinner trail like this connect back a little lower, so I was pretty sure of where this would take us. 

It’s a little thinner, but still strong.

I am loving the thick woods.

Fun twisted tree.

Lots of leaf litter.

The creek and another analog beaver dam.

The trail above the creek.

More forest.

The trail is veering away a little bit. But I figure, as long as I can see the creek we shouldn’t get lost.

Up a little bit.

Down a little bit more.

Random boulder.

I love the twisted scrub oaks.

The creek under a carpet of leaves.

More scrub oak.

This tree has been modified due to hikers passing by.

Pretty tree with some color left.

The trail, the creek, and the old road.

More forest.

This random side trail lead us to about about where I thought it might, but it also appears to keep going. anyway, we went right.

Which spit us out at the picnic area and the Yellow Fork Road trail.

The revegetation area again.

We decided to cross over and do the Yellow Fork Trail for the last half mile or so.

I am not sure what these cluster of sticks are for. My best idea was to help control erosion. Or maybe something else to help with the revegetation going on? Yea.. just a guess.

Well, now I am thinking erosion control while the native plants establish themselves to take over the erosion control.

Not to be confused with the analog beaver dams.

Continuing down.

Big Rock Fork.

Continuing down.

Little clearing.

Spooky trees.

This fencing is new.

The tractor on the other side.

Almost back to the parking lot.

The random directional marker artwork at the base of the canyons.

The bridge over Rose Creek.

View down canyon.

Well, that was a fun little hike. We cut it a little short, but we made it back before complete dark, so that’s a win. As with most trails, the crowd thins out significantly after the first half mile. Unfortunately most of the fall color is done here. Meh, 9 squirrels today.

As for difficulty, it is a super mild climb. DR3.

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