Hiking Jardine Juniper - Logan Canyon

Overview

( Rated 4.0 / 1 Ratings )

0 Todo Lists / 0 Ticks

RATING: Moderate/Strenuous

LENGTH: 4-6 hours (Full Loop 10.5 miles)

MAPS: MOUNT ELMER, UT

SEASON: Spring, Summer, Fall

WATER: Bring all you need. A couple of springs and a stream in the first and last 1/3 for dogs.

Sunrise at Jardine Juniper in Logan Canyon

Tucked away high on a rocky ridge in Logan Canyon, the Jardine Juniper is the oldest-known Rocky Mountain juniper tree in the world. Discovered in 1923 and named after a former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, this legendary tree is estimated to be around 1,500 years old. Though time and harsh weather have left it looking twisted and bare, it stands an impressive 40 feet tall with a massive trunk (and a little growth on the top).

The standard hike to the tree is about a 10.5 mile round-trip outing with about 2,000' of gain. Though fairly strenuous, on my visits, I've also found the miles to pass easily. It is a hike I enjoy because it is long with open views and a relatively easy grade.

Season Note: Like most hikes in Logan Canyon, fall is a beautiful time to visit when the leaves are changing color. I've also visited in the spring and summer. Spring would be my next favorite, with green slopes and often still snow-capped peaks in the distance. Summer, in my experience, can be hot with some fairly long sections without much shade. Bring plenty of water if visiting in the summer.

Multi-Use Trail: This trail is open to hikers, cyclists, and horses. It seems to get a fair amount of use from all user groups. Be sure to keep an ear out and dogs under control, as you are likely to encounter others on the trail, sometimes moving quickly!

Views from the Scenic Way of the loop.

Getting There

The trailhead is about 10 miles up Logan Canyon on US-89 east from the canyon mouth at mile post 470.9. This is the same turnoff as the Wood Camp Campground. A wide side road leaves the highway, crosses a bridge, and goes a short distance to the trailhead. This last section is short, but surprisingly rough! If in a low clearance vehicle, I would conisder parking soon after the highway and walking the 100 or so yards to the trailhead. It is a short walk.

Morning light on the snowy mountains in May

Route Description

Navigation is easy for this hike; head up the trail from the trailhead. Within a few minutes, a bridge crosses the stream. Above this, the trail braids a couple of times before reaching the Wood Camp Hollow side drainage and a second small bridge. At the braids, either works, but staying right on the most used trail is a little shorter. Stay right at Wood Camp Hollow on the main trail that continues up the wide, open drainage.

About 1.3 miles from the trailhead, the trail crosses back to the east side of the stream across a bridge. Not far after this, the trail begins to climb more steeply up long switchbacks to the ridge above.

One up, a trail junction is reached (about 3.5 miles from the trailhead). Left is the Cottonwood Trail. Go right here instead.

The trail now heads south, climbing a bit and reaching a junction about 0.7 miles from the Cottonwood Trail Junction.

Loop Junction
Decision time! The junction forms a loop. Right is signed the Scenic Way, and left is signed the Shady Way. I thought both were pretty and would recommend doing the full loop.

The Scenic Way trail is about 0.9 miles to the side trail to Jardine Juniper, while the Shady Side is about 0.65 miles to the Jardine Juniper Side Trail.

Jardine Juniper Side Trail
Once at the signed side trail to Jardine Juniper, the side trail descends several switchbacks about a 1/4 of a mile to Jardine Juniper proper and an informational sign. This spot has big views down into Logan Canyon. Return back up to the loop junction and either complete the loop or return back the way you came.