This week we went up to Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon. If you would like to receive updates on what’s new join our newsletter located on the left hand column of this page. As the founder of www.yourhikeguide.com, his goal is to educate others on the joys of hiking. A short hike at donut fallsEquipment:Gopro session,sony 4k action camEdits - Final Cut ProInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/abenoeric It is nice to know that this beautiful hike has been set aside for public use and is less then a ½ hour drive for most living in the Salt Lake Valley. Get there any later, and you may feel like a vulture circling for a space to come open. Hopefully, you are lucky enough to start the hike from the Donut Falls trailhead. For more outdoor activities, please connect with us on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Donut Falls and the entire Mill D South drainage system are all a part of the Big Cottonwood Canyon watershed, so swimming, wading, and your dog are prohibited at these locations. As we all stood in in a very long line of people both coming and going in the 90 plus degree high-altitude heat, next to a fast flowing mountain stream, I imagined that we were actually waiting in line to climb Mount Everest’s deadly Khumbu Icefall . Oh boy. We now hike Donut Falls early in the morning and on a weekday. Nowhere is that rule so blatantly disregarded than here. Enjoy the scenery, take plenty of pictures of this unique waterfall! Hotels near (SLC) Salt Lake City Intl Airport; Hotels near (PVU) Provo Airport; Hotels near (OGD) Ogden-Hinckley Airport; All things to do in North Salt Lake; Things to do near Donut Falls. The parking lot offers parking for several cars, however due to the popularity of this hike this lot fills up fast especially on the weekends. He calls ants his "friends." We asked a few friends for suggestions and did some brief google investigating before we eventually landed on Donut Falls. Donut Falls is a great family hike in Northern Utah just up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Though it's not recommended, many visitors scramble up the boulders to the falls above. Be alert and be safe at Donut Falls. Once you reach the falls you can cross a very small log bridge to the east side of the stream to get a great view of the falls and the donut which the falls are named. Copyright © 2020 UtahOutdoorActivities.Com. The trailhead is near the Jordan Pines picnic area and is well marked. (See the Google Map for this hike at the bottom of this post). Donut Falls Hike Sunday (Father’s Day) we went on a hike with our friends Nate, Emily and their three lovely red headed children. Donut Falls, North Salt Lake: See 90 reviews, articles, and 118 photos of Donut Falls, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 9 attractions in North Salt Lake. My latest excursion was hiking Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Hier kann hervorragend gewandert werden. At the beginning of the trail you’ll see some signs with maps and information about the area. Turn right at the Jordan Pines picnic area and if the gate is open, (typically open from April to October) continue for 0.8 miles to the trailhead. The whole thing took 2 1/2 hrs. The trail passes through spruce forest, aspen, and open meadows before entering a narrow, rocky drainage below the falls. The only downside is it gets pretty crowded. Up Big Cottonwood Canyon at the awesome Donut Falls. This is easily one of the best waterfall hikes in Utah. Utah Outdoor Activities does not advise climbing up the rock to view the "donut hole" as this rock is very slippery. But depending on the time of year and the skill of the hiker, plan on having to hike across slippery rocks and through a few inches of water. The reward is a unique waterfall that flows through a “donut hole” in the top of a cave. Donut Falls is a short hike with a big payoff. It isn’t too difficult if you take your time and the water level is low, if you’re a fit hiker and have some basic climbing skill. Take a right and drive past the Jordan Pines Picnic Area and some private property to the trailhead parking lot. Then, start being on the left and continue for a while. On the weekends, don’t be surprised to see a couple of families enjoying donuts somewhere near the falls! Donut Falls is an easy-to-moderate hike and one of the most popular hikes in the Salt Lake area. You hike through the forest, past some meadows, and next to the stream that comes down from the waterfall. Posted on March 23, 2015 by naomihsiling. Turn right a travel down the paved road past the Jordan Pines Picnic Area past some private property to the trail head parking area. Donut Falls gets its name because the water actually flows down through a hole in the top of a small cave, where the water then flows through some rocks downstream. People always wade across the river to climb up to the waterfall. Your best photos will come from inside the cave and shooting up at the water coming down through the “donut.”, A view of Donut Falls from inside the cave. Donut Falls is located close to Salt Lake City and is very popular. A few weeks ago we hiked to Donut Falls up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Donut Falls Trail ist ein 3.1 Meilen langer, stark besuchter Hin- und Rückweg in der Nähe von Mounthaven, Utah. When we arrived at Donut Falls we had the whole place to ourselves for nearly a half an hour. The stream and drainage the route follows are known as Mill D South Fork. It's easier to find the origin of real doughnuts than it is to find who discovered Donut Falls. In the spring of 2003, a hiker died at Donut Falls, prompting the closure. It’s called Donut Falls because the water falls through a hole in the top of a cave and I guess folks thought it looked like a donut. Due to morning swim lessons, we went in … Continue reading "Donut Falls" On our visit we noticed people from 1 to 2 years of age to the elderly having a great time in the great outdoors. Donut Falls is a short hike with a big payoff. There is also a trailhead that can be accessed via Spuces Campground which is closed during the winter months. At the bottom of the runoff, is a pleasant place for children to splash in the surprisingly cold water during hot summer days, as the water is rarely deeper than 6 to 8 inches. Take a right and drive past the Jordan Pines Picnic Area and some private property to the trailhead parking lot. Trail – Dirt, some rock The well-marked trail will break to the right as it continues to climb. Donut Falls is a family-friendly, 3-mile, our-and-back hike. Hike to Donut Falls Today we ventured with the boys to Donut Falls. This is usually the trail I will take family that is visiting from out of state since it hardly gains any elevation, yet it leads to a beautiful destination. Once you find your parking spot, walk down the closed road for about 1/4 mile. We all had a great time, but we will be sure to go a month or so earlier next year to be able to see leaf colors at their peak. Back To Big Cottonwood Canyon Hiking Trails. We did this hike for the first time when we had a 2 month old and a 3 year old, and everyone loved it. From the bottom of the falls, two sections of waterfall are viewable. This area is also a very popular sledding area in the winter time. The walk through the forest is beautiful. Just under three-quarters of a mile of easy hiking brings you to a unique waterfall that plunges through a hole in the rock and into a small cave. As you are traveling south on 6200 South for 1.7 miles, it turns into Wasatch Blvd. Donut Falls, located in Big Cottonwood Canyon, is a classic Wasatch Mountain hike. The trail has a slight elevation gain but is great for hikers of all ages. At this point you will experience a slight drop-off that the kids may need help with. Depending on the time of year you may need to park at the Big Cottonwood Canyon Road parking lot and hike up to the falls from here. After hiking about 0.5 miles (0.8 km.) Once close to the falls the trail leads you next to the stream and you can hear the cascading water in the distance. Elevation at Donut Falls – 7830 feet Once past the the outcropping, you’ll find yourself at the bottom of the runoff of Donut Falls. You will see a lot of people over to your left having a great time. It’s been so hot in the valley that hiking is difficult. Once past the signs the trail begins to gently climb and will pass a small meadow surrounded by tall pines and aspen. Be sure to leave your furry friends at home, as Big Cottonwood Canyon is watershed territory. 6200 South turns into Wasatch Boulevard. Reaching the small cave requires you to climb and scramble about one hundred feet up over large rocks through the runoff from Donut Falls. However, every time I’ve hiked up to Donut Falls, either the trailhead parking was full and I had to turn around and park out along Big Cottonwood Canyon Road, and walk up the road to the trailhead. The footbridge crosses the runoff from Donut Falls. I am going to do my best to catch up on the big stuff. On our first visit in Memorial Day Weekend 2017, the Cardiff Fork Road to the Mill D Parking Lot was closed so we had to walk this additional mile-long stretch to reach Donut Falls . Turn left at the traffic signal, staying on Big Cottonwood Road for 9 miles. If the gate is open, then you can park at the actual Donut Falls trailhead parking lot. If you haven’t visited Donut Falls we highly recommend that you do. It isn’t a bad walk up the road to the trailhead, but expect for it to add another 30-45 minutes and one mile each way to your hike. This hike is easy and beautiful. See my GPS coordinates above for locations for both of these spots. Hiking the Donut Falls is a great attraction for the whole family near Salt Lake City. Pets – Not permitted. The stream and drainage the route follows are known as Mill D Travel up the canyon road 9.0 miles, and you will come to a large parking lot with restrooms. The hole in the top of the cave was formed after centuries of water wearing down and eventually breaking through and collapsing the rock creating the “donut” where the water rushes through. Don't forget to pack these essential items! They had such a great time! Catch up with YOUR HIKE GUIDE on Instagram or Facebook.). Just under three-quarters of a mile of easy hiking brings you to a unique waterfall that plunges through a hole in the rock and into a small cave. Remember this trail is very popular so be prepared for the crowds. Hotels near Donut Falls; Hotels near Wild Rose Trailhead Park; Near Airports. On a weekday, if you get there by 9am there should still be a couple of spots left. Sean was totally obsessed with this ant hill. We look back and have a good laugh, but we learned our lesson. The rocks are often slippery, and it's very steep here. The reason for the name is because the waterfall comes out of a round hole. I just tried this hike for the first time with my kids this summer. Distance – normally 1.4 miles roundtrip, if the gate right at the turnoff of Big Cottonwood Canyon Road is closed it becomes 3.5 miles roundtrip hike If coming from north of Salt Lake City, take I-15 north to I-215 east. It's a 1.5 mile hike that is fairly easy. The parking lot at the trailhead was full, as was the parking area off of Big Cottonwood Canyon Road. Last year for our anniversary we tried it out, but we had Cailyn with us so going up to the falls was out of the question (those rocks aren't really kid friendly). Adam is an experienced hiker and canyoneer, who has visited some of the most breathtaking and remote places in the United States. We parked on the side of the road and hoofed it to the trailhead. Right next to the parking lot, and just before you hit the trail, is one bathroom. I decided we had to try it at some point this summer and today we had the perfect opening. If coming from the south, Take I-15 north to I-215 east to 6200 South. You’ll reach a nice spot where it opens up a little and you’ll cross a sturdy footbridge across the stream. Aufgrund der Steigung und Distanz ist die Strecke für alle Leistungsniveaus geeignet. Even though there was snow and the trek up was a lot more slippery than we thought, the view at the end was worth in. The stream and drainage the route follows are known as Mill D South Fork. Derek Derek Gifford/Alltrails . Head south to 6200 South. Kid Friendly Hike? Back in 1990, a man fell through the “donut” of the falls and died, so there can be dangers on this hike, so always use good judgment. This is the side trail where the most recently fatality at Donut Falls occurred. Elevation gain – 337 feet Sunday Hike to Donut Falls. As an instructor for Desert and Wilderness Survival, and for Leave No Trace camping practices, he shares his passion and respect for the outdoors to all. If coming from north of Salt Lake City, take I-15 north to I-215 east. At the top there is a really steep waterfall with a donut hole shape in the middle. We hope you enjoyed this information. We didn't really get a good picture of it. At the off-ramp, turn left and go south for 1.7 miles. Thank you for visiting Utah Outdoor Activities and for your support! This last Sunday after church, my boyfriend and a bunch of his friends wanted to go on a hike. This hike is probably easy when the trail is NOT completely covered in snow, slush, and ice. I remember the first time we hiked to Donut Falls, it was Memorial Day weekend. Located up Big Cottonwood Canyon in the Salt Lake Valley, Donut Falls is one of the most popular waterfall hikes in the state of Utah. Thank you for visiting and for your ongoing support! Nonetheless, start moving towards your right; after a few steps, you will find the Donut falls right before you. Once on the trail, there was a spot that we found ourselves waiting in line on the trail. Hiking to Donut Falls I have fallen behind in blogging again. WHY?! It took us around 40 min from the car park to the bottom of the waterfall. If you choose to climb up to the falls, take extra care. If you are hiking when the trail that is covered with snow, move uphill for some time till it forks. Took a nice refreshing hike with the most important people in my life. Difficulty – Easy (I had fun, though.) The trail passes through spruce forest, aspen, and open meadows before entering a narrow, rocky drainage below the falls. It is up Big Cottonwood Canyon and it’s called Donut Falls. From 2004 to 2007, Donut Falls was closed to the public as it was on private land, but in the summer of 2007, Salt Lake City purchased the property for $1.3 million, and then reopened the falls to the public. That is where you want to sled. The trail starts to south of the parking lot by the restrooms. Adam is currently a Scoutmaster in the Boy Scout of America, and is an Eagle Scout. The trail winds through woods and meadows and offers beautiful views of the surrounding terrain and stream. Permits – None needed The trail passes through spruce forest, aspen, and open meadows before entering a narrow, rocky drainage below the falls. The doughnut was first introduced into the English language by Washington Irving's classic story, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" (1820). They’re pretty but not terribly impressive. I don’t know if this is new, but there was a sign near the trail’s end that stated “No wading or swimming.” So much for kids splashing in the water. Help us keep this site up and running by visiting our online store which features outdoor themed gifts, décor and more. North Salt Lake Tourism; North Salt Lake Hotels; North Salt Lake Holiday Rentals; Flights to North Salt Lake; North Salt Lake Restaurants; North Salt Lake Attractions Even though we went on Oct. 18th, the weather was beautiful! Turn right at the Jordan Pines picnic area and if the gate is open, (typically open from April to October) continue for 0.8 miles to the trailhead. We quickly packed a back pack with snacks, a … If coming from the south, Take I-15 nort… Donuts Falls is actually about 3 miles down the road, but it is near the outer parking area for Donut Falls. Hiking this trail is easy and fun and Donut Falls are spectacular. Check out more of our favorite hikes HERE. Donut Falls Once upon a time (April 18th, 2015), I convinced my lovely parents that it would be a good idea to hike Donut Falls just a few days after it had SNOWED. I know summer (especially high summer) is temporary, but avoiding sunburns and heat exhaustion is priority right now, while still enjoying the varying landscape. As mentioned, chances are the area near and around the falls will be choked with hikers on the trail and scrambling up the stream, and in the cave , so getting pictures of the falls without people in the shot may prove difficult. When you reach a point, you will see a steep hill that goes down to the canyon. This hike is suitable for all hikers regardless of age or hiking experience. Hiking Donut Falls So I've been wanting to hike Donut Falls for a really long time. There is ample parking at the trailhead and public restrooms. It’s only 3 miles roundtrip from here so it still isn’t that far. Estimated time from the trailhead to the falls is one hour. On June 7th, 2014, a 40-year-old woman died after falling 100 feet to the bottom of the falls while climbing a steep, rocky trail that goes above the falls. Some hikers want to get above Donut Falls to get a shot looking down at the water dropping into the cave. For more Utah Outdoor Activities please like us on Facebook. This is a hike that one can complete in only an hour and a half, and with it being so close to Salt Lake City, makes for a great afternoon hike. Head south to 6200 South. Mike Goonan/Alltrails. The trail leads you through dense pine trees, across streams, and to the base of a spectacular feat of nature - a donut-shaped waterfall. We hope you enjoyed this information. Once at the small cave, you can stand up inside it. The hike ends at Donut Falls - a unique waterfall that drops into a donut-shaped hole in the rock. This shows the route one would take to reach the falls. Er führt entlang eines Flusses, durch schönen Wald und es gibt einen Wasserfall und schöne Wildblumen. Amount of water recommended – 1-2 liters Even though Donut Falls is an easy hike, there have been fatalites. I saw only a handful of people coming back from the falls. There is this very steep, rocky slope one has to climb down right before the falls. Season to hike – mid April to mid October (depends on snow amounts) In just a couple of minutes you’ll find that the stream you crossed is on the left side of the trail, and you’ll have a small rock outcropping that you’ll scramble over. With its close proximity to the city, and short distance, it is an ideal family hike that children will love. If you’re very very careful you can get across without getting your feet wet. Yep, not a good idea. Each time we’ve hiked to this falls, we started from Cardiff Fork turnoff, which made the hike on the order of 3.2-3.8 miles round trip. Located up Big Cottonwood Canyon, the trail is named after the unique waterfall feature where Big Cottonwood Creek gushes through a donut-shaped hole in the mountainside. Approximate hiking time – 1-3.5 hours depends on where you have to start the hike In recent years, a rockslide has narrowed the entrance into the small cave. If the gate is closed, just park outside the gate and walk up the road. Donut Falls is a hugely popular trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon that boasts a really amazing waterfall. The parking lot offers parking for several cars, however due to the popularity of this hike this lot fills up fast especially on the weekends. This is a short and easy hike making it good for all ages. I think everyone from Salt Lake County was on the hike! Donut Falls is a great hike, and if you follow this advice, you’ll be able to avoid the crowds. Turn in and continue up the road for 0.8 miles to the trailhead. 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