hidden falls

hidden falls

We decided to invite the little Swalbergs on our date last Saturday. We started out at Lone Star Taqueria for some amazing fish tacos and chips & salsa...We dined on the patio while the boys played on the grass next to us taking bites here and there.  

Next, we drove up the road to Big Cottonwood Canyon. We told the boys we were going to discover some secret waterfalls like Indiana Jones. They were giddy with excitement and kept asking things like, "Are we the first people to ever discover them?" and "How come nobody knows where they are?"  

Hidden Falls is the perfect name for them- no marked trail head, weird parking spot, crossing a busy road, etc. It was just a short walk to the falls, but the details are a little tricky... see the end of post for directions.

But find them we did.

I don't know what it is about falling water that I love so much- but I could find a new waterfall every weekend and be happy. They're fun to watch, fun to climb/hike to, and the sound is always exhilarating. Plus the splashes they put off on a hot day are always welcome.

 Contemplating the way down...

 With my favorite book in my back pocket: 

Best Easy Day Hikes, Salt Lake City by Brinkerhoff & Witt. 

So good- go get it!

 fun rocks to climb

 the gorgeous riverbed

brown summer boys

 Be sure to wear shoes you can get wet for this little hike. Adam and Ollie had to jump or be lifted from rock to rock- gees Adam's getting big....Ha!  Which brings me to my next point, don't wear flip flops on this one either if you can help it! Mine almost floated away a couple of times, and carrying Linc in the cold water, while stepping on slippery, jaggedy rocks with flip flops wasn't comfy. My footing was harrible. (I should know better!)

 wild raspberries

 They were delicious!

 An old mine near the falls- keep out. (Why does it have an opening the size of a small boy?!)

 hidden falls

 I'm always telling the boys that tree roots go out as far (or further) 

as the branches- so this was so cool to see the roots spreading beneath the big pine!

 rock climbers

 It's such a pretty little cove- perfect for a picnic. 

 more cool roots

 The boys crossing the tree bridge. Linc and I just walked through the water.

By the time we came out of the canyon, the sunset was casting pretty red light on the mountains.

 We were excited with every curve to see the sun...

 It was such a pretty drive home!

Hidden Falls

Distance 0.3 mile out and back

To reach the trailhead: Drive 4.3 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon on Highway 190. As you come to the S-curves, enter the Mill B North Fork parking area, (not marked very well!) just 100 yards past the Mill B South Fork parking area. Take the trailhead at the north side of the parking area. Head up the stairs near the information signs in the parking lot, and use caution in crossing the busy highway.

Instead of following the Mill B North Fork Trail to your right, take the lower left trail along the creek to the falls, heading into the shade. Avoid the second set of stairs to the right, which continues to the Mill B North Fork Overlook. 

 (From Best Easy Day Hikes, SLC by Brinkerhoff and Witt)