Waterfall Canyon - Winter

Waterfall Canyon is a great, somewhat tougher trail in Ogden that leads to a huge, 200 foot waterfall. It is a fun trail to do in summer, and I remembered there didn’t seem to be any dangerous parts on it so I thought we’d come check it out in winter. In In my experience, the waterfall is usually just kind of a large wet wall that has some water trickling down it. However in winter, holy cow, it is an impressive, astounding tower of ice!

Quick Details:

Length: About 1.3 miles to the waterfall 2.6 round trip.
Difficulty: DR4 this one is seriously UPHILL.
Elevation Gain: 1463 Ft
Restroom: There is one at the trailhead, but it was locked today. Not sure if due to holiday, or winter.
Dogs? Yes!
Other Info: Winter hiking has additional challenges. Be sure to have appropriate gear. This trail is popular enough that it was packed down today, so we were okay with micro spikes and hiking poles.

To get here: 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.

We currently have a really bad inversion going on, combined with some fog, and well, it is really gloomy out (DBP).

The directions I provided above are the simplest from any direction, but we decided to come up on 89 today and we passed the South Ogden water tanks (DBP).

And we have arrived to the 29th St Trailhead. Nice little info pavilion.

There are actually quite a few trails here so pay attention to the signs. I love Ogden’s trail signs, very stylish and very helpful. After passing through the pavilion immediately turn left and head up (sign for BST Trail and mentions Waterfall Canyon below). The trail will curve to the south and eventually join a wider path that looks like an old access road.

The trail after it curves south, climbing along to the Bonneville Shoreline.

At first I thought the morning frost had just not received any sun to melt it, but, as I later learned, because it built up on my hair, the fog/smog combined with the cold air is actively freezing everything. It really looks neat!

Aforementioned smog/fog.

I think this is a Russian olive tree. There seem to be a few along the trail.

Where the formerly thin trail joins the wider trail.

More frozen fun.

At just under 3/10 of a mile you will come to the TR Guest Ranch Gate. You are now crossing into private property. Property that the owners still graciously allow the public to access and recreate on. Treat is as you do the wilderness, with respect. They have had a lot of problems with graffiti, and littering and have reacted to that in the past. So, please, don’t do that. Also, they have a few areas cordoned off as no trespassing. Again, please respect those wishes, and stay on the main trail. Lets show them we deserve to have the access we do. I certainly appreciate it.

Thick forest of scrub oak.

Hiking in the fog is really.. weird. Very Silent Hill feeling sometimes, but also beautiful.

Looking across the valley again.

Just a smidge past the half mile mark you will come across these old water tanks. just past here the trail will curve east and into Waterfall Canyon. And, well, it’s going to start to get tough.

Heading into the canyon.

The fog makes it look very different.

Before long the trail levels off with the bottom of the canyon.

Where you will encounter bridge number one.

Looking downstream from the bridge.

After the bridge you will come to a 3 way trail split. Right goes down the other side of the canyon (continuing the BST Trail down to the 36th St trailhead). Forward is to the Via Ferreta, which is private property. You want to keep left here.

Frost lined leaves.

Whoa… lots of ice here. I was worried this might continue, but, remembered the old pipe, so it was just this section.

The 2nd bridge is just before the 1 mile mark. Almost there, but the trail gets a little more rough from here.

Looking up at the canyon walls through the fog.

I am kind of enjoying the fog.

It’s really weird just seeing the world stop.

Icicles along a small waterfall.

Wintery canyon.

The creek with some ice patches.

Snowy tree tunnel.

The fog is amazing!

The creek through the woods.

Ice crystals in this little side stream.

I… took a lot of pictures of the woods in the fog. It’s not often I find myself in the woods with fog.

Oh, this is new. They added a tube so you can cross the creek without getting wet. Also, this means you are almost there.

After crossing the bridge I looked up and let out a surprised ‘oh!’. I knew we were getting close, but due to the fog I couldn’t see the cliffs ahead and suddenly, poof we’re here!

Okay, so now the fog is not my friend.

However, even with the fog this is incredible! Just a huge wall of ice!

A couple detail shots. This just makes me want to give extra kudos to the Midway Ice Castles. Seriously, they do look very similar to the natural formations I see here.

This is as close as I dared to get to it, and honestly that might have been too close. Seriously, use caution around frozen falls. You never know when a chunk might come tumbling down. My concern over this later proved to be valid as we did witness a couple chunks come down. I certainly wouldn’t want to get hit with a chunk of ice falling from 200 feet.

A very nice lady offered to get our picture. I offered to return the favor but they had a big enough group that they were okay.

Oooh, the fog cleared a little bit. There is some sky up there!

And here you can just make out what I have dubbed Dr. Seuss Peak (to the left) because it’s so weirdly curved like mountains in his books.

More detail.

The fog cleared again. You can see the top a little more clearly.

This really is incredible and I am glad we came out to see it today.

And.. the fog is back.

Me, for size. it really is massive!

Looking back down into the fog filled canyon.

Looking up at the surrounding cliffs.

Little hole where we could see the water running behind.

Little snowman the previous group made. He’s cute.

One last parting shot.

And back into the foggy woods.

Pretty tree.

Pretty forest.

Creek alongside the trail.

Neat ice crystals in the creek.

I am back to enjoying the fog.

One of the couple side trails that are closed to the public. Please respect their wishes.

Down to the 2nd bridge.

And the accompanying ice sheet. I found we could use the wall to bypass most of it on the way down. I made it across okay on the way up, by why risk it?

And the lower bridge.

The trail split to the right I believe is where the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (scenic route) lets out into this canyon. We found the Ogden Christmas Tree on it last week, but from the 27th St trailhead.

And now we trudge down the widening canyon.

I just love all the frost covered plants!

Back down to the old water towers.

Looking out into the Ogden valley. ick. It seems like it is more thick now.

And we made it back down. I love Waterfall Canyon, and I am really happy we decided to come check it out in the winter! This trail always seems to kick our butts, but I think the winter air made it slightly more enjoyable! We were huffing and puffing and certainly warm from the workout, but we were not overheating like we do in the summer. Going with a perfect 10 out of 10 Squirrels! Well packed trail, not too crowded, and the GIANT frozen waterfall was incredible!

As for difficulty, going with a DR4. It is seriously UP and is quite a workout

Dogs are allowed, Ogden appears to have a leash law so follow that and be sure to clean up after your furry friend.