Bell Canyon Hike

Reservoir and Lower Falls

This week Some Guy hiked Bell Canyon on Sunday. Bell Canyon is located on the backside of Sandy Utah. Here’s a link to the location and info for the trip from alltrails.com. I did this trip last year with my then 7-year-old daughter to the reservoir but this was my first time making it to the lower falls farther up the canyon. She was not able to come with me this time but I was accompanied by my brother and his girlfriend.

There are 2 trails leading to the reservoir and we were lucky enough to get in the parking area for the better, prettier trail. We arrived early enough, around 9 am, that the area and paths weren’t overcrowded yet. It is a very pleasant area and the backdrop is quite impressive. Catch and release fishing is allowed but it is a watershed area so no pups or swimming. There might be a fishing trip in my future. Lots of ducks in the lake too that aren’t afraid of the humans.

Onward, to the falls.

We continuing around the lake trail and began the hike to the falls. Its a little over 4 miles round trip with about a 2000 foot elevation gain, and boy what a climb. Its relatively smooth walk for most of the trail but the last part is a verticle climb over rocks. The trail mostly follows the river and it is a nice audio accompaniment for the trek. There are many places to stop and rest along the trail which we definitely needed. Parts of the trail are narrow with shallow pull-outs scattered along to allow for passing.

Mostly the other hikers were very courteous and keeping their distance and pulling off as we passed or when we did as an excuse to take a quick breather. Many “thank yous” were passed this day. There are always exceptions unfortunately. A few groups pushed passed us as we were waiting for others to pass making it difficult for all but we passed them a few stops later. Ha!

Everything was nice and green and lots of trees covered the trail providing shade from the sun. The flowers were out all along the trail and fields and several animals made appearances. It was a very pleasant day to be out in nature.

Made it.

The trail ends up about level with the top of the falls so we had to descend to the flat area near the middle. The falls were in high flow, spraying the whole area and making the course down pretty muddy and slippery. Erosion from the water and all the people making their way to the bottom was extreme and most of the tree roots were exposed which at least gave something to hold on to. I almost biffed it a few times on the way down, but others had a bumpy, muddy slide to the bottom.

The whole area was chilled with moisture in the air and standing in front of the falls I was soaked within a few seconds. It did make the area nice and green but I couldn’t stay there long. If the sun would have stayed out it would have been perfect but the clouds gathered not long after we got there which made it extra chilly.

We stopped for lunch a little ways away from the falls in a flat area overlooking the valley below with the sound of the falls in the background. Others had the same idea and were also lunching around the large space surrounded by intimidating granite cliffs.

Conclusion / Opinion

This was a great hike and the company was appreciated. I would do this hike again. It’s close to home and has some great views. A quick trip to the reservoir for some fishing would be relaxing on occasion. The falls were amazing in late May and worth the trip. I wish I could have stayed nearer the falls for longer but the weather did not allow it this day but on a hot day after the effort to get there, perfect!

This hike was more difficult (rated moderate by alltrails) than my Horsetail Falls trip (read here) but it was still an enjoyable journey. Like my last hike I wish I could have stayed longer but we had to make our way back home.