Little Willow Canyon

Little Willow Canyon is a short little canyon located in Sandy. It offers some great views of the southern end of the valley and has some neat rock formations to enjoy along the way. This is a great shorter trail to do after work, or to add to another adventure. I have been meaning to come check it out for a while now so today was the day.



Quick Details:

Length: 2 mile out and back.
Trail Type: Loop or out and back.
Difficulty: DR3 not too bad.
Elevation Gain: About 500 feet.
Restroom: Yes in the park
Dogs? Slightly complicated. If you stay on the right trails you can get most of the way up with them, but can not go to the end (see map posted below).

To Get Here:

The most direct rout is to take i15 to 123rd south. Take that east towards Wasatch Blvd, turn right onto Wasatch. After Wasatch curves to the north, look for Hidden Valley Park on the right. It is right next to a church. Located at about 2860 E Wasatch BLVD.

The Trail:

The trail head is located at the SE corner of the parking lot. Take the fork that starts climbing the hill. You can take the lower fork along the park, but it is not as direct.



Trail map, shows which trails dogs are allowed on (in blue).



The trail starts out paved and is easy.

You can also see Big Willow Canyon to the left. I have been wanting to explore that canyon as well, but haven’t gotten to it yet. Maybe next week.



First glimpse of Little Willow Canyon.



The first trail split heads towards Big Willow Canyon, do not take that one. You can also see they do a pretty good job with the signs informing you where not to take your dogs.



Already a pretty nice view of the valley below.



The 2nd trail split. If you do not have dogs with you, I recommend going up this way as it is going to be easier than the way we did. We didn’t have our dogs today, but I wasn’t sure where we were going and this is signed for Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST). We ended up coming down this way.



There are a bunch of nice little benches scattered around the trails.



Getting closer.



The 3rd trail split is the next most direct route and the way we went up. You can keep going just a little further, and the next split will also get there, but that seems to add some backtracking a little so yea. Also, again note, the sign saying dogs are okay.



The aqueduct road. This is uh, quite steep!



Lovely view.



Nearing the canyon mouth.



Canyon mouth again.



Well, end of the line on the road.



View of the canyon again.



Just below that though is the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.



This looks just like the bridge we found near the Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge, I guess that is not a big shock as that would be just about another mile further down the BST.



Little Willow Creek is dry down here because they divert it above for drinking water.



There is a thin trail on the south side of Willow Creek that will take you further up the canyon. I was a little worried that we were still technically trespassing, however, reviewing the Sandy City Trail page again, they clearly describe the last quarter mile as following the creek. Also, the map I posted above shows continuing up here. So, I am pretty sure we are not going anywhere we aren't supposed to.

One last thought, if you brought your dogs, this is the end of the line. Either continue along the BST, or turn back here.



Cliffs above.



We found a patch of snow still hanging on.



A scree field. This put us down into the creek bed.



Before long we have reach the irrigation system.



Then we get to actually see the creek! Yay!



Looking back out of the canyon.



Additional signage made me feel a little better about being up here. That and there were a couple other people up here.



Cliffs above.



Little Willow Creek is quite lovely.



The forest is starting to green up for the season. I am so excited for more springlike weather.



Rock formation looks like a face.



Cliffs again.



There is a short section where the trail is quite thin with a little bit of a drop off. The worst of it is this first corner.



Then it’s not too bad.



The creek below again.



These private property signs say no camping, fires or pets. Nothing about trespassing. Phew!



Super narrow canyon. It's almost like a box canyon.



Easy creek crossing here.



Little Willow Creek again.



The irrigation dam.



Little waterfall above it.



Looking down canyon.



Beyond that the trail kind of fades away. But we saw a trail that went up the hill a bit.



That lead to a little clearing with this uh… contradictory message here. o.O



It is really pretty up here. It’s kind of a shame the trail fizzled out. However, looking at the Sandy City trail page again, I think I made it to the intended destination. I guess it is time to head on back.



Looking down canyon again.



Little side waterfall below the irrigation dam.



The creek again.



Back to the cliff walk haha. See, it’s not horrible.



Flowers are coming up, but haven’t opened yet. I certainly do not know for sure. but I would guess these are probably glacier lilies, considering that is what I typically see come up first.



Back down to the lower dam.



The creek again.



With the canyon above.



Looking up towards the top of the canyon.



After emerging from the mouth of the canyon we noticed 2 trails heading back north. We started on the 1st, upper one.



Looks like this is the BST. Eventually we realized this was taking us up when we wanted to go down. So we turned around and got on the lower trail. After reviewing the map again I realized this trail will get you back to the TH, just not as directly.



Scrabbly peaks above.



View below.



Mountains across the way.



The park below.



This trail is a LOT more mellow than the Aqueduct Rd. I really wish we had come up this way haha.



Antelope Island looks weird from this far south.



Panoramic of the view.



The ridge above.



Almost down to the main park trail.



Mountains to the north again.



We ended the day with a little bit of wildlife, a little mouse. We also saw a deer bound up the slopes here but I didn't get a picture.

Well, that was a nice short adventure. I would have liked a little bit longer in that canyon but I wasn’t sure we would get as far as we did, so I guess that was nice. I feel better about it feeling like I was not in an area I wasn’t supposed to be, and I guess the bonus is that scares off other people as we only saw a couple people in the actual canyon (tons of people on the trails below though). All in all, I think I will go with a 7 today.



As for difficulty, it was pretty easy going. DR3.


Dogs are only allowed on the Aqueduct Rd, the southern BST trail, and the park below (See map above).

Dogs are not allowed on the north BST trails or above the BST.