Birches Picnic Area

 The Birches Picnic area is a small area near the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon. It features some pretty trees, cliffs, a creek, and well, some established picnic areas. Of the 4 picnic areas in the canyon, this appears to be the smallest only offering 6 individual spots and no spots for large groups. There is a day use fee, however I was just here to check out the fall color so we were not here long so I hope it was okay to just walk through the area without paying the fee.

Quick Details:

Length: About a quarter mile
Trail Type: An out and back Y
Difficulty: Paved with some hill DR2.
Elevation Gain: About 45 feet.
Restroom: Yes. 
Dogs? No. Big Cottonwood Canyon is watershed.
Other Info: Fee area $15.00

To Get Here:

From Wasatch BLVD drive approximately 1.9 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon and the picnic area will be on the right. Additional parking on the left.

The Trail:

There is a bridge you have to go across the creek to access it.

View downstream.

Upstream.

Area sign.

Little bit of color and the peak above.

This rock has a really distinctive face. Holy crap it’s kind of disturbing.

Little bit of color.

The creek.

Again.

More color.

Mossy rocks.

More color.

Leaf litter.

Back across the bridge.

View on the other side of the canyon.

Downstream.

Well, not much to the area, like I said it is pretty small with only 6 sites. Some nice color but, meh. Maybe not worth checking out in the future. 5 out of 10 squirrels.

As for difficulty, it is paved and kind of hilly, DR2.

Dogs are not allowed in Big Cottonwood Canyon so be sure to leave Fido at home.