The hike starts on the south east side of the Salt Lake Valley in Sandy.

Take I-125 to exit 6 and go east. This is the same exit to get to Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Follow Wasatch Blvd past the mouth of Big Cottonwood. 2.3 miles past the entrance to Big Cottonwood, turn right to stay on Wasatch Blvd and continue 1.9 miles. The trailhead is on the left side of the road here with a small parking lot. You'll have to go past it and make a u-turn to get back to it.

To The Lower Reservoir
From the trailhead, follow the well used and well-signed trail as it winds through the neighborhood, crosses the creek, and climbs a short steep boulder section to the Lower Reservoir. This is a good stopping point for those looking for a short hike. From the Lower Reservoir, views of the upper section of Bells Canyon come into view. Stunning!

To The Lower Falls
Follow the left side of the reservoir on an old jeep road. Once around the reservoir, a signed trail junction is reached. Go left here, turning off the old road and onto the single track trail. A sharp eye up canyon will reveal the Lower Falls in the distance along this section of the hike.

The trail becomes more shaded as it winds up Bell Canyon. It crosses a bridge, then enters the Wilderness Area. Once in the wilderness area, the trail begins climbing in earnest and becoming steeper. After a particularly steep rocky section and crossing a small side stream, keep an eye out on the left for a major side trail. This is hard to miss, but some groups do. At this junction, the main trail goes left for about 4 minutes to the Lower Falls. The right branch is less traveled and continues to the upper falls.

To The Upper Falls
From the junction with the lower falls, continue climbing up the right-hand trail. This is rocky and a bit less traveled than the section below. Not far above the lower falls junction (5-10 minutes or so) a side trail goes off on the left. This goes over to Bells Towers on the north side of the canyon and is used by climbers. Stay right!

The trail meanders up past a bit of a meadow to the top of a small cascade. This is not the upper falls, keep going. The obvious upper falls will be on the left not far above with a granite slab to view the falls from and hang out on.

Continuing On
Above the upper falls, the trail continues to the Upper Reservoir. 15 or so minutes past the Upper Falls is another excellent waterfall.

Above that the trail crosses a wooden log bridge, then begins a steep ascent to the reservoir. Our trip ended about 0.75 miles short of the reservoir due to heavy snowpack.

Return the same way.