Baer Creek - Winter

I have seen so many versions of how this is spelled, including Bair Creek, and Bear Creek. But I am going to go with the spelling that is on the trailhead sign. It is one of the few somewhat nearby canyons we had yet to explore so, I decided to check it out. It is a 10 mile trail that appears to take you all the way up to the Great Western Trail.. pretty much at the top of the mountain. It is marked difficult, and while we only did about a mile of it today I would tend to agree. It is a bit thin and steep.

To get here, take HW89 near Kaysville to eastbound 500 S Nicholls Rd. Turn left at  Mountain Rd. Right on Eastoaks Dr. left on 1800 E Follow that to the end and you will hit a circle with a small thin Rd going up the hill. Google tells me the address is 317 S 1800 E. There is a small parking lot next to a big water tank. The Trailhead is at the north end of it.

Passing Farmington I decided to take a picture of the radar domes on Francis Peak. (Drive By Photography) I didn’t realize at the time that this would be relevant later.

The water tank you park next to.

Trailhead Sign.

A look up into the canyon. After about 5 0feet the trail hits this old… roughly paved access road. It only follows it for another 100 feet or so though before going into the canyon.

Getting into the canyon proper. This part of the trail looks like an old off road trail. It pretty wide and flat.

A view up the canyon. And we have hit snow. I was worried the trail was going to stay on the north facing slope and be snowy.. luckily that was not the case.

Rocky hillsides above, and a neat band of orange rock.

The first of a few campsites we saw.

Ick, starting to hit some really muddy sections.

The scrub oak and a big rock.

There is another small campsite.

Roxy wasn’t really enjoying this hike, until we hit the creek, and got out of the snow. Then she starting doing her normal go go go, lets keep going. Here she is checking out the creek.

A nice sturdy bridge to cross the creek.

View of the creek.

Neat rock formation looking down the canyon. Kind of looks like a gargoyle.

She climbed up on the rocks to get a look at the water. For a dog who doesn't want to ever get IN the water, she sure seems to be fascinated by it.

Mess of trees above.

More neat rock formations.

Lots of boulders on this section of trail.

Before long the canyon opens up and offers a view of the snowy peaks above, including Francis Peak. I knew it was close, but was still surprised to see it from this canyon. Which now that I think about it was kind of foolish as the canyon is right below it. Anyway, I guess if you are really up for an adventure you could do the full 10 mile trail, and continue another mile or 2 to the peak.

Small rockslide to cross through.

Some strange multi colored boulders.

Looking back down the canyon from the upper boulder.

The trail guide I read said the trail follows the creek. Yea, you could hear it most of the way, but couldn’t see much of it.

Grass is starting to green up.

This shot kind of captures the 2 different moods on each side of the canyon. Scrub oak and dry on the south facing slope, and pine trees and snow on the north facing one.

The creek is under there somewhere.

Little side stream.

There was a small trail up so we followed it up a little ways and found this patch of reeds.

After crossing the trail it eventually joins the main creek.

Creek peaking through the snow.

The trail is starting to get pretty thin with some snow.

Another look back down.

Another big rock and thinning trail.

And then we got here.  a landslide has taken out the thin trail, which is probably about 20 feet up a steep slope above the creek. Someone had built these stairs to get around, but I didn’t feel up to trying to get us and the dog around it. So, we called it a day and turned back. I went in knowing I wasn’t doing the full 10 miles today, so this seemed like a good turn around point.

Snowy forest.

The creek peeking through.

This picture kind of shows how high above the creek the trail is. It’s not too bad, but it would be really tough to climb back up.

Probably the best view of the canyon for the part we did.

Small waterfall from the melting snow.

Packed down stones from the trail through the landslide.

Through the trees!

Back down to the bridge.

Trees reflected in a muddy puddle.

Rock with 2 holes drilled into it. Not sure why.

Muddy section.

Snowy section.

Panoramic view from the mouth.

A look back into the canyon.

Weird structure in the middle of the road below the parking lot. I’m sure it has something to do with the water tower… but otherwise I am at a loss as to what is is, or what it is for. (DBP).

It was a good hike, but not much to it. Of course we didn’t do the full 10 miles so there might be some neat stuff further up, I don’t know. Plus we did it in winter, so not a lot of green yet. I don’t think it would be fair to rate it. the short bit we did do I would give 7 squirrels out of 10.

As for difficult, this one was a little more difficult, and became quite a thin trail along a pretty steep slope. Going with a DR5.

Dogs are allowed. No signs forbidding them. Please remember to clean up after your furry friend.