Big Bend Habitat Preserve

 The Beg Bend Habitat Preservation Area is/will be a preservation area that includes a nice little park located in West Jordan. The park features a nice little pond with some nice views of the mountains. It is definitely not complete, however when I walked by a few days ago I noticed they had removed the fence barrier, and there appears to be an established path around the pond, so I thought I would come check it out.

Quick Details:

Length: It is about 6/10ths of a mile around the pond, with 8/10ths of a mile spur to get to it and a short side spur, so about 1.8 miles total out and back.
Trail Type: Balloon with spur.
Difficulty: DR3. It’s fairly flat, with currently some unfinished trail.
Elevation Gain: NA
Restroom: No.
Dogs? I believe the same rules would apply as the Jordan River Parkway, leashed.
Other Info:

To Get Here:

According to the master plans I found a few years ago, eventually there will be a dedicated parking lot. For now you can connect to it via the Jordan River Parkway. I suggest from the 90th south trailhead (which is about 8/10ths of a mile each way). 

The Trail:

The pathway leading back into the preserve on the north end. I initially missed the south end trail.

The pond with the mountains.

From the north side.

Little spur off to the side, I thought I would check that out.

The entire preserve is 68 acres with about half set aside as a preserve to try and restore some natural processes of the Jordan River that early channeling destroyed, and the other half for recreation area.

Nice view of the river.

Bumble bee on an indian blanket.

The river.

Panoramic.

Upstream. I kind of wish I had explored that little rock outcropping, but hey we can come back.

Another indian blanket.

Pretty red firefly.

Back to the pond. That little spur ended up being about a 10th of a mile out and back.

Continuing around the pond.

The pond again.

As I said, it looks far from finished, however they moved the fencing from the west side of the pond against the JRP, to back here on the east side, so it looks pretty open right now.

Panoramic of the mountains.

The geese are apparently fans of the pond.

Panoramic of the pond.

Rocky mountain bee plant.

Lots more geese.

Today it was only geese, but I have seen ducks, cormorants, and other birds here before.

Little family of geese.

It’s still rough, but this is definitely a defined path.

The southern section of the pond is just a little guy.

I just noticed that this fence looks more permanent than the removed one did. So it looks like back there will be the preserve that we will not be able to access.

Geese hanging out on the drain.

The pond from the south.

The inlet channel.

More bee plant.

The east side of the loop is currently the Jordan River Parkway.

Heading back north along the JRP.

Riparian restoration.

Mountain panoramic.

The smaller south end of the pond.

The larger middle and north end.

Geese coming in for a landing.

Lots of geese!

I scooted in a little closer to the pond, off of the JRP. There isn’t really a trail here yet, but it has been bulldozed down.

The pond with Lone Peak.

Pond and mountain panoramic.

One last look before heading back.

Well, there is not much to it yet, but it has promise! It was kind of fun to explore it while it is still in it’s infancy. I kind of hope the dedicated parking lot is a ways off, cause it would be nice to have the area be not crowded for a while. 8 out of 10 squirrels today.

As for difficulty, Pretty easy going, partially paved, the rest is like paved. DR3.

As for dogs: There are currently no rules posted about that, so I assume the same rules apply for the JRP and dogs need to remain leashed, and cleaned up after.