Mill B Waterfalls

 There are three easy to reach waterfalls at the Mill B Trailhead in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Hidden Falls on Mill B North, and two unnamed falls on the Mill B South Interpretive Trail. We have seen all of them before, but after the tougher hike we did yesterday, I thought for our bonus day we’d take it a little easier.

Quick Details:

Length: Hidden falls is about 2/10 of a mile out and back. Mill B South is about 8/10ths of a mile and back, so just over a mile total for all 3.
Trail Type: Double out and back.
Difficulty: Both are pretty easy DR3.
Elevation Gain: About 280 feet.
Restroom: Yes, at Mill B South.
Dogs? No. Big Cottonwood Canyon is watershed.
Other Info: It sounds like this may become a fee area soon, which is sucks, and part of why we came today.

To Get Here:

Drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon about 4.4 miles to the big S Curve. Find a spot and park.

The Trail:

Unfortunately I totally forgot my memory card. I have 2 fail safes against this, and well, today they both failed, so, iPhone photos it is for the day.

Starting with Hidden Falls, which is to the north, or the top of the S Curve.

Trailhead kiosk.

The beginning of the trail.

It is a neat little waterfall in a narrow little canyon.

Again.

Big tree growing in the cliffs.

Hidden falls again.

Closer.

Again.

Quick video.

The waterfall again.

Landis braved boulder hopping to get a little closer.

Trees growing in the cliffs again.

Mill B North.

Again.

Again.

Last time we did this trail our feet got wet, but I am not sure if new trails prevented that, or if the creek was not as high.

The scurry across Big Cottonwood Road. It is kind of a 2 edged sword, the S Curve forces most drivers to slow down, but also obscures visibility so it is a little sketchy to cross. Just be patient and an opening should come up.

The bottom of the S Curve.

On to Mill B South.

Woo! Big Cottonwood Creek is absolutely gushing!

Most of the Mill B South trail is paved.

Big Cottonwood Creek again.

Pretty forest.

The trail up to Lake Blanche which is an awesome hike I haven’t done in a while.

The little waterfall at the bottom of Mill B South, just before it joins Big Cottonwood Creek.

Big Cottonwood Creek again.

The big cascades on Big Cottonwood Creek. As far as I can tell this is not named, but I think its fun.

Quick video.

Couple more shots.

Lower cascade.

Landis mountain goated up the rocks to get a view of the top.

Well, we decided to head on back.

Some of the creek overflowing.

One of my favorite butterflies, the silvery blue. Unfortunately he didn’t open up for me to see the pretty blue color.

The little Mill B South waterfall again.

Weird spraying pipe.

More pretty forest.

Tree roots pushing the sidewalk up.

More forest.

A peak across the way.

Back to the S Curve and that peak again.

The S Curve and down canyon.

Storm Mountain as we head down the canyon (Passenger Seat Photography (PSP)).

Well that was a fun quick little adventure to see some nice little waterfalls. The canyon was a little busier today than it was yesterday, but this area wasn’t too bad. It was a fun quick adventure day. 8 out 10 squirrels.

As for difficulty, both trails are fairly easy The South trail is mostly paved, but has a section at the end that is not. DR3.

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