hidden falls- winter

We have done this 5-10 minute hike in the summer to see Hidden Falls. 

(See summer pics HERE.)

It was so fun to see in the winter too!

We added it on to our hike across the street at Mill B South trailhead since the trails are so close to each other.

We took our snowshoes off for this one. 

The trail is pretty narrow so it worked well with boots.

It looked like only one group had gone before us since the trails were not packed down.

 Frozen Hidden Falls

 The boys were really excited about all the GIANT icicles the falls had so graciously made them.

Linc is sitting on ice and loved sliding down it. 

One to eat and one to hold...

Ice rifle.

ice climbing

Always on the quest for more icicles.

The sun was setting as we were packing up, and thanks to the smog in the valley, it looked so pretty!

We loved this little hike, even though I literally poured water out of Linc and Ollie's boots once we got them into dry socks in the car. Next time I'll bring an extra set of pants too, so their ankles aren't wet for dinner or the ride home. 

Directions to 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)

mill b south- Big Cottonwood Canyon

This day started with a wild goose chase, but we ended up in a cool spot we'd never been before- 

the Mill B South trailhead in Big Cottonwood Canyon. 

It's a short trail to a small waterfall at the end. 

The waterfall isn't as impressive as others we've seen, but the walk is beautiful.

It also has a trail that branches off to Lake Blanche, but it's closed for the winter because of avalanche danger, so don't take that trail. 

(The Lake Blanche trail is clearly marked to the right and up the hill, so you don't need to worry about accidentally going on it.)

We got to the trailhead around 3:00 in the afternoon and it was FREEZING cold that day, 

so we started out with beanies and face masks and extra layers.

We warmed up really fast and the boys stowed their hats in the backpack pretty soon after we started.

This is apparently one of Utah's most popular hikes, so we met a few people along the trail. 

The trail was pretty packed down from all the foot traffic, but off on the sides was glorious powder- up to Linc's thighs. You really would be fine doing this hike in snowboots as well as snowshoes. 

Some people came down the path saying they had seen a baby moose up the trail, so Adam and Elliott hiked up the Lake Blanche trail for a little bit and found him. I think baby moose was taunting them?? 

The trail up to Lake Blanche. I stayed back with the little boys while they looked for the moose. 

We crossed a little bridge along the way, but mostly it was hidden by all the snow. 

This is where the hike ends- in a downhill river more than a waterfall. 

The water is so beautiful with all the ice and snow!

The Falls

 The skies were so blue up in the mountains that day- unlike the smog in the valley all week.

Amazing how a short drive up the hill can change the day.

Here's Mr. Elliott looking at all the snowflakes. 

So I got down to look at them too and we snapped a few pictures. 

The camera caught some of them, but you could see so many more.

It was worth laying down in the snow to see. So amazing.

( iphone)

( canon)

(canon)

 snowball branches

 frosted branches

This is how the boys take a break.

If you want to add to this little hike like we did, walk across the street to the North to the Hidden Falls hike- another super short, but fun hike. Please be careful as the cars are coming fast down the canyon. 

Directions to Mill B South trailhead:

Drive 4.3 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon and just after the hairpin curve to the left you will come to the parking lot on your right side. If you miss it, the Mill B North parking is immediately following it. Parking is also allowed on the wider parts of the road.