This area is also a very popular sledding area in the winter time. I just tried this hike for the first time with my kids this summer. From the bottom of the falls, two sections of waterfall are viewable. 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 . It’s only 3 miles roundtrip from here so it still isn’t that far. The footbridge crosses the runoff from Donut Falls. 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 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. Difficulty – Easy Amount of water recommended – 1-2 liters Enjoy the scenery, take plenty of pictures of this unique waterfall! People always wade across the river to climb up to the waterfall. Turn left at the traffic signal, staying on Big Cottonwood Road for 9 miles. Up Big Cottonwood Canyon at the awesome Donut Falls. As the founder of www.yourhikeguide.com, his goal is to educate others on the joys of hiking. I decided we had to try it at some point this summer and today we had the perfect opening. If you do, you do so at your own risk. (See the Google Map for this hike at the bottom of this post). This last Sunday after church, my boyfriend and a bunch of his friends wanted to go on a hike. 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. The turn off to the Donut Falls Hiking Trail is located approx 9 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Er führt entlang eines Flusses, durch schönen Wald und es gibt einen Wasserfall und schöne Wildblumen. Donut Falls is a family-friendly, 3-mile, our-and-back hike. WHY?! In recent years, a rockslide has narrowed the entrance into the small cave. The walk through the forest is beautiful. However, to get there requires a steep, exposed rock climb that I do not recommend. 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. Donut Falls is an easy-to-moderate hike and one of the most popular hikes in the Salt Lake area. Sunday Hike to Donut Falls. The stream and drainage the route follows are known as Mill D The stream and drainage the route follows are known as Mill D South Fork. Travel up the canyon road 9.0 miles, and you will come to a large parking lot with restrooms. 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. We did this hike for the first time when we had a 2 month old and a 3 year old, and everyone loved it. On our visit we noticed people from 1 to 2 years of age to the elderly having a great time in the great outdoors. The trail passes through spruce forest, aspen, and open meadows before entering a narrow, rocky drainage below the falls. I was luckily enough to hike Donut Falls in the late afternoon on a weekday. Catch up with YOUR HIKE GUIDE on Instagram or Facebook.). Season to hike – mid April to mid October (depends on snow amounts) In the spring of 2003, a hiker died at Donut Falls, prompting the closure. Turn left at the traffic signal, staying on Big Cottonwood Road for 9 miles. 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). Trail – Dirt, some rock Pets – Not permitted. 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. They’re pretty but not terribly impressive. Hiking the Donut Falls is a great attraction for the whole family near Salt Lake City. If you are hiking when the trail that is covered with snow, move uphill for some time till it forks. The trailhead is near the Jordan Pines picnic area and is well marked. Donut Falls is located close to Salt Lake City and is very popular. If you would like to receive updates on what’s new join our newsletter located on the left hand column of this page. It's a 1.5 mile hike that is fairly easy. 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. The whole thing took 2 1/2 hrs. It's easier to find the origin of real doughnuts than it is to find who discovered Donut Falls. – Yes If the gate is open, then you can park at the actual Donut Falls trailhead parking lot. 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. 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. They had such a great time! Print for free, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument. If coming from the south, Take I-15 nort… My latest excursion was hiking Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon. At the off-ramp, turn left and go south for 1.7 miles. Reaching the small cave requires you to climb and scramble about one hundred feet up over large rocks through the runoff from Donut Falls. There is also a trailhead that can be accessed via Spuces Campground which is closed during the winter months. 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. Once past the signs the trail begins to gently climb and will pass a small meadow surrounded by tall pines and aspen. Head south to 6200 South. Then, start being on the left and continue for a while. That is where you want to sled. You will see a lot of people over to your left having a great time. 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. 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. Copyright © 2020 UtahOutdoorActivities.Com. Though it's not recommended, many visitors scramble up the boulders to the falls above. 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. Get there any later, and you may feel like a vulture circling for a space to come open. In Early March my girlfriend Mel and I wanted to go for a hike, however we wanted to go somewhere new. On a weekday, if you get there by 9am there should still be a couple of spots left. The trail leads you through dense pine trees, across streams, and to the base of a spectacular feat of nature - a donut-shaped waterfall. Check out more of our favorite hikes HERE. Derek Derek Gifford/Alltrails . Once close to the falls the trail leads you next to the stream and you can hear the cascading water in the distance. Some hikers want to get above Donut Falls to get a shot looking down at the water dropping into the cave. Oh boy. Kid Friendly Hike? 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. Hiking to Donut Falls I have fallen behind in blogging again. At this point you will experience a slight drop-off that the kids may need help with. Nowhere is that rule so blatantly disregarded than here. The trail has a slight elevation gain but is great for hikers of all ages. 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. Elevation at Donut Falls – 7830 feet Donut Falls Hike Sunday (Father’s Day) we went on a hike with our friends Nate, Emily and their three lovely red headed children. This is a short and easy hike making it good for all ages. At the beginning of the trail you’ll see some signs with maps and information about the area. Along the trail you can see all different types of wildflowers. Donut Falls is a hugely popular trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon that boasts a really amazing waterfall. (We’d love to connect with you! Donut Falls is a short hike with a big payoff. It is up Big Cottonwood Canyon and it’s called Donut Falls. Thank you for visiting Utah Outdoor Activities and for your support! The trail passes through spruce forest, aspen, and open meadows before entering a narrow, rocky drainage below the falls. 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. 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. 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 the south, Take I-15 north to I-215 east to 6200 South. 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. Utah Outdoor Activities does not advise climbing up the rock to view the "donut hole" as this rock is very slippery. You’ll reach a nice spot where it opens up a little and you’ll cross a sturdy footbridge across the stream. Help us keep this site up and running by visiting our online store which features outdoor themed gifts, décor and more. We parked on the side of the road and hoofed it to the trailhead. Turn in and continue up the road for 0.8 miles to the trailhead. Be sure to leave your furry friends at home, as Big Cottonwood Canyon is watershed territory. Thank you for visiting and for your ongoing support! The trail passes through spruce forest, aspen, and open meadows before entering a narrow, rocky drainage below the falls. The rocks are often slippery, and it's very steep here. This week we went up to Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon. After hiking about 0.5 miles (0.8 km.) As you are traveling south on 6200 South for 1.7 miles, it turns into Wasatch Blvd. Adam is currently a Scoutmaster in the Boy Scout of America, and is an Eagle Scout. The hike itself is fairly easy. Turn left onto Big Cottonwood Canyon Road, and follow it for 9.0 miles to the Jordan Pines picnic area which will be on your right. Before long you’ll hear a stream that is below and to the right of the trail. 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. Hiking this trail is easy and fun and Donut Falls are spectacular. Hike to Donut Falls Today we ventured with the boys to Donut Falls. I remember the first time we hiked to Donut Falls, it was Memorial Day weekend. Posted on March 23, 2015 by naomihsiling. A short hike at donut fallsEquipment:Gopro session,sony 4k action camEdits - Final Cut ProInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/abenoeric Took a nice refreshing hike with the most important people in my life. If you’re very very careful you can get across without getting your feet wet. The reward is a unique waterfall that flows through a “donut hole” in the top of a cave. 6200 South turns into Wasatch Boulevard. (I had fun, though.) The trail winds through woods and meadows and offers beautiful views of the surrounding terrain and stream. 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. After about a half mile from the trailhead you’ll turn left onto an old jeep trail. We asked a few friends for suggestions and did some brief google investigating before we eventually landed on Donut Falls. 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. The turn off to the Donut Falls Hiking Trail is located approx 9 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon. We didn't really get a good picture of it. Even though we went on Oct. 18th, the weather was beautiful! Nonetheless, start moving towards your right; after a few steps, you will find the Donut falls right before you. 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. Be alert and be safe at Donut Falls. I saw only a handful of people coming back from the falls. Due to morning swim lessons, we went in … Continue reading "Donut Falls" Remember this trail is very popular so be prepared for the crowds. See my GPS coordinates above for locations for both of these spots. This hike is suitable for all hikers regardless of age or hiking experience. There is this very steep, rocky slope one has to climb down right before the falls. Sean was totally obsessed with this ant hill. It’s been so hot in the valley that hiking is difficult. What I thought was going to be a simple hike in Rock Canyon turned out to be a journey and an adventure. 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. The reason for the name is because the waterfall comes out of a round hole. Once at the small cave, you can stand up inside it. For more Utah Outdoor Activities please like us on Facebook. I know summer (especially high summer) is temporary, but avoiding sunburns and heat exhaustion is priority right now, while still enjoying the varying landscape. Back To Big Cottonwood Canyon Hiking Trails. We now hike Donut Falls early in the morning and on a weekday. 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. Aufgrund der Steigung und Distanz ist die Strecke für alle Leistungsniveaus geeignet. If coming from north of Salt Lake City, take I-15 north to I-215 east. This is the side trail where the most recently fatality at Donut Falls occurred. The road is closed, but there is a large area to park on both sides of the Big Cottonwood Canyon road. When we arrived at Donut Falls we had the whole place to ourselves for nearly a half an hour. For more outdoor activities, please connect with us on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Don't forget to pack these essential items! 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. He calls ants his "friends." Estimated time from the trailhead to the falls is one hour. The parking lot at the trailhead was full, as was the parking area off of Big Cottonwood Canyon Road. This hike is probably easy when the trail is NOT completely covered in snow, slush, and ice. 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. 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