Scenic Drive: Trappers Loop and Ogden Canyon

Trappers Loops Rd is a nice road that connects Weber Canyon to the Ogden Valley and passes by Snowbasin Resort. It offers some nice views to enjoy. It can be done as a simple out and back, or you can add Ogden Canyon for a longer loop.

Scenic Drive Details

Length: It is about 10 miles from Mountain Green to Huntsville and another 9 miles down Ogden Canyon. Plus whatever extra you add + needed to get there.
Time Needed: About a half hour for the drive, plus time to explore.
Road Conditions: Completely paved 2 lane highway with some passing lanes along Trappers Loop.
Summit: 6031 feet.
Restrooms: There are gas stations on either end of Trappers Loop rd.
Interesting Things: Green Pond, over looks at Snowbasin, Pineview Reservoir, The Ogden Limekiln, Ogden Canyon Waterfall, + more.
Other Info:

To Get Here:

Head up Weber Canyon take exit 92 for UT167. Go under the overpass and turn right. Follow the signs for Snowbasin with a left to stay on 167.

The Adventure:

Colorful mountains as we head towards Weber Canyon (Passenger Seat Photography (PSP)).

Heading into Weber Canyon (PSP). Which itself is a particularly neat scenic drive.

A couple little splashes of color (PSP).

Neat train bridge, plus my reflection (PSP).

More color (PSP).

After Passing through Mountain Green we are on the Trappers Loop Rd. (PSP).

Mountains (PSP).

Some color (PSP).

Mountains again (PSP).

Just before the turnoff towards Snowbasin we crossed back into Weber County (PSP).

Heading towards Snowbasin (PSP). Our added pitstop added about 3 miles out and back. It would be about 6 out and back if you go all the way to Snowbasin, which I kind of wished we had done today, but meh, we had a fun day anyway.

We did a quick hike up to Green Pond which was a fantastic add on to the days adventure.

We ended up seeing a red-tail hawk on that adventure.

After that we decided to head back down to Trappers Loop. Like I said, looking back I kind of wished we had completed the short route out to Snowbasin, but meh.

Continuing down towards Trappers Loop (PSP).

Back on Trappers Loop (PSP).

The valley below (PSP).

I like the north side of the summit a LOT better than the south side (PSP). It seems a lot less steep and windy.

Little patches of color (PSP).

The valley to the east again (PSP).

First glimpse of Pineview Reservoir (PSP).

More color (PSP).

Pineview Reservoir again as we enter Huntsville (PSP).

Fun American flag barn (PSP).

We both had needs for a rest stop so we stopped by a gas station. FYI, you will pay a little extra for mountain top/resort prices for snacks. I kind of feel like if we just waited to get back into town we could’ve had a more substantial lunch for what we paid. Also, the first gas station we stopped at had a “$5.00 minimum purchase” to use the restroom. We moved on to the next one.

Sheep (PSP).

My original plan was to go around Pineview Reservoir, then head down Ogden Canyon. For whatever reason that did not happen and we just stayed on the south end of the reservoir. Looking back at the map it doesn’t seem like it would have added much more to do that though maybe 8-10ish miles.

Some roadside color (PSP).

Pineview Reservoir again (PSP).

Again (PSP).

More color (PSP).

More as we approach Ogden Canyon (PSP).

Colorful hillside (PSP).

Pineview Dam (PSP).

Into Ogden Canyon (PSP). The Wheeler Creek Trailhead is looking particularly busy right now.

Canyon cliffs (PSP).

More color (PSP).

Fun cliffs and color (PSP).

More color (PSP).

The cliffs are so narrow through here (PSP). I blows my mind that they were able develop, let alone build a road up through here.

First glimpse of Ogden Canyon Waterfall (PSP).

We didn’t stop today as we have done so before, so here are a few terrible drive by shots (PSP).

Heading towards home on i15 (PSP). I love that you can see the taller mountains above Salt Lake County looming behind the mountains in Davis County.

Mountain color (PSP).

Downtown SLC (PSP).

Well, that was not quite the scenic drive I had envisioned for the day, but we did get some amazing color in before it was too late, so I am glad we got out to see it. As far as scenic drives go, it was nice but not epic 7 out of 10 squirrels.