Adams Canyon
Davis County
Overview
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Fri 59 | 37 |
Sat 55 | 43 |
Sun 43 | 34 |
Mon 44 | 29 |
Tue 44 | 31 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
|
Fri 59 | 37 |
Sat 55 | 43 |
Sun 43 | 34 |
Mon 44 | 29 |
Tue 44 | 31 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
History of the Adam Canyon Name
One of the more popular hikes in the area, the upper Adams Canyon waterfall is a picturesque 40' waterfall tucked in the folds of Adams Canyon. I've visited a couple of times, and always enjoyed the falls, but also been surprised at the number of visitors. On a summer Saturday, the parking lot can be full reasonably early in the morning.
Don't let the crowds deter, however, as the hike is quite pretty and the falls themselves an excellent destination. The route is steep and relatively long (about 4 miles round trip and over 1000' of gain along the way), with the last section being particularly steep and rocky. The difficulties and distance make this not suitable for all, but a fun, adventurous outing for most.
Note: The lower section, in particular, can get very hot with little shade. If visiting in the summer, I recommend an early start.
Craggy rocks in Adams Canyon
Getting There
The trailhead is off of US-89 near Fruit Heights. If coming from SLC, take US-89 exit from I-15 about 10 miles north of Salt Lake, signed South Ogden. Follow this for 6.2 miles to Eastside Drive. This road is a small side road on the right without a signal. Once on Eastside Drive, turn right (south) and continue 0.4 miles to the parking area on the left side of the road.
Views of the valley from the Bonneville Shoreline section
Route
From the trailhead, the trail follows a fence line to the first switchback, where it quickly climbs a series of 11 or so switchbacks, gaining elevation. Between about switchback 10 and 11 is a bench and side trails on the right. The side trails go to the smaller Lower Adams Canyon falls, stay left on the main path.
Once up the switchbacks, the trail mercifully flattens out and joins the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Stay right at the Bonneville Shoreline junction, as the trail heads southeast and begins contouring into Adams Canyon.
About 0.75 miles from the trailhead, another junction is reached. Right stays on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, crossing Adams Canyon on a bridge. Stay straight instead, in the bottom of Adams Canyon.
The scenery, in my opinion, gets better in this section as the trail climbs Adams Canyon. Shade becomes plentiful!
A log bridge is the next major landmark. Beyond the bridge, several steep rocky sections occur, with quite a few braided side trails. Stay on whatever seems to be the main trail, as they all appear to head to up canyon to the falls.
Photos
Maps
| Trailhead |
12T 423550mE 4546519mN N41° 03' 59" W111° 54' 36" |
| Bench - Stay Left |
12T 423820mE 4546558mN N41° 04' 00" W111° 54' 24" |
| Bonneville Shoreline - Right |
12T 424082mE 4546526mN N41° 03' 59" W111° 54' 13" |
| Bonneville Shoreline 2 - Left |
12T 424394mE 4546521mN N41° 03' 59" W111° 53' 60" |
| Falls |
12T 425623mE 4546608mN N41° 04' 02" W111° 53' 07" |