Bells Canyon

 My good friend  Dr Layne Hermansen and I have been trying to get together for a hike this week and today was the day we make it happen.  We got up early and I was able to get  Scott and Chris out of bed  to join us today.  We have been trying to get Bells Canyon is since the hiking season started and today was as good as any.  This is a hike Layne does on a weekly basis so it was good to have him show us the ropes so to speak. 

The hike starts just before the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon at (N40 34.306'; W111 47.826').  There is a small parking lot that tends to fill up early.  There is a pit toilet at the trail head and this is a water shed so use it if need be before you start the hike.  But if you must answer the call of nature, you must be 200 feet from water and if #2 it must be berried 8 inches. Remember you will be drinking this water. So protect it!  The hike begins as a short but steep trail that levels off as you approach the reservoir.  Fishing is allowed but no bait only spinners.  No swimming secondary to it being a water shed.  It is  how ever great place for a family/date night  picnic.  As you approach the lake you have a split in the trail.  Stay to the left. The right will take you around the lake.

Press on ward and up ward.  The rule of thumb with this hike is when in doubt,  head east.  If you are not climbing, you are on the wrong trail.  As you leave the the lake you get into more tree cover and soon will be crossing the river on your journey up the trail (N40 33.744'; W111 47.195).  This is a nice place for a photo Op and to take a short rest if you need to.  From here you continue eastward up the trail.  Remembering to stay left and head east.  As you reach the second stream crossing will see a fork in the trail(N40 33.624; W111 46.225) the right continues to the upper falls and a second lake.  It is very steep and requires some bush whacking to get to the second lake.  If you take the right you will not regret it.  In just a few short yards you will be overcome with an oasis of green and instant cooling from the mist of one of the most breath taking water falls I have seen in Utah (N 4033.659'; W 111 46.198, 2.2 miles for the trail head at  6,770 feet).

At the top of the falls is a nice place to sit and take it all in.  Be very careful here.  I would not recommend jumping across in the early season.  The water flow here is deceiving and if you do not make it the current will take you right over the falls.  A young women was killed here last year doing just that.

This is an enjoyable hike.  We covered a total of 4.91 miles, 4,520 vertical feet in 3.0 hours and burned 1,535 calories.  I will do this hike again and will also use this hike as a training run for my trail runs.  I will also do this trail in the winter.  It connects into the Red Pine trail for what I understand is some Epic powder skiing on  the right day!  Be aware this is a very popular hike and on Saturdays and holidays sees a lot of traffic.  As we were leaving the parking lot was full and we passed several large groups starting their hike up the mountain.