doughnut falls hike

I can't believe how lucky we are to be in Utah, with all of it's great outdoors! And I love that my boys are getting older and can start to appreciate hiking and the like. There is nothing like being out in the fresh mountain air, with so much beauty everywhere, with my family! It makes me so, so happy- it's impossible to put into words. Plus it's nice that hiking is free most of the time. So we decided to try Doughnut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Even though it looks nice, it was pretty chilly up there! I'm glad I threw in long sleeves at the last minute and we always carry jackets in the car- we used both.
Little Linc is a mover so we weren't sure how he would do in the pack- but he loved it!
One of our little furry friends who also snacked with us at the waterfall.

Discovering along the way.

Linc had lots to say and to look at.

I LOVE this shot. (Is it weird to frame a pic with only the backs of heads showing?)

Handsome Elliott

Ollie in action.

Us at the waterfall. This has changed since I hiked it a few years back (make that over 10 years ago!) The water at the top goes through a doughnut shaped hole (you can see it near the top) and you used to see the water come through. I remember snowshoeing on this trail once and a guy was using his ice-climbing gear to get up the frozen falls. But it looks like a rockslide has ruined the bottom part, so now it just trickles down the rocks. It's a beautiful hike, just not as grand of a waterfall as I remembered. I still loved it though.

Hiking with kids equals lots and lots of snacks. We didn't pack a lunch, but probably should have.

Feeding grapes and granola bars to the chipmunks.

The climber.

It warmed up a little and Ollie wanted both shirts off. Silly guy.

It wore little Linc right out.

And Adam. :)

*DOUGHNUT FALLS

Distance: 1.4 miles out and back

To get there:

Drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon on Hwy 190 for 9.0 miles.

The road branches to the right (south).

Drive for one mile on this road past the Jordan Pines picnic area and some private property.

The trailhead is at the south end of the parking lot, past the bathroom.

*(Info from Best Easy Day Hikes SLC by Brinkerhoff and Witt)

doughnut falls foliage

battlecreek falls

We hiked Battlecreek Falls last night. (Thanks L and B for the idea!) I read that it's about a 1.2 mile hike to the falls and back- so nice and short- although it's a lot of uphill on the way there. The boys loved exploring along the way. And Elliott was just excited to wear the water pack! We stopped at Bailey's sandwich shop in Orem before and had our picnic at the falls. (Bailey's special is sooo yummy!) It was such a hot evening-- we started about 6:30 and I think it was around 94 degrees-- that the mist from the falls felt so good!

The falls! There were some people repelling down right in the water-you can see their rope.


Adam propped Ollie on this ledge and he sat for the longest time, not wanting to get down. Just enjoying the waterfall.



I'm amazed that this is so close to us and we've never been. We will go back for sure! You could go even further up but this was perfect for little kids. We definitely need to hike more, so if you know any "family friendly" hikes- please tell me about them!

Cave exploring on the hike out.

Another little pool along the way. Ollie hasn't wanted to wear shorts all summer and even when I tell him it's so hot out he always says, "How come Daddy never wears shorts then?" Good question Oliver. Good question.

The view of Pleasant Grove and Utah Lake. Plus right in front of us there was a huge dead snake that the boys were poking with sticks. (We didn't see any live snakes along the way though.)

*If you want to go to Battlecreek Falls- just go to 200 South in Pleasant Grove and head East all the way until it dead ends into a parking lot and the trail head. :)