Adams Canyon | Davis County

Canyoneering Adams Canyon - Davis CountyHiking Adams Canyon - Davis County Adams Canyon

Davis County

Overview

RATING: Moderate Hike
MAPS: KAYSVILLE, UT

Sat

Rain after 11am. Mostly cloudy. High near 46, with temperatures falling to around 43 in the afternoon. Southeast wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

46 | 30

Sun

Snow likely before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. West southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

39 | 33

Mon

A chance of snow after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

41 | 21

Tue

A chance of snow before 2pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow between 2pm and 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

38 | 29

Wed

Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.

39 | 23

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Spring, Summer, Fall
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: Filterable along most of the hike.

Sat

Rain after 11am. Mostly cloudy. High near 46, with temperatures falling to around 43 in the afternoon. Southeast wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

46 | 30

Sun

Snow likely before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. West southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

39 | 33

Mon

A chance of snow after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

41 | 21

Tue

A chance of snow before 2pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow between 2pm and 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

38 | 29

Wed

Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.

39 | 23

View Full Weather Details
History of the Adam Canyon Name

History of the Adam Canyon Name

One of the more popular hikes in the area, the upper Adams Canyon waterfall is a picturesque 40' waterfall tucked in the folds of Adams Canyon. I've visited a couple of times, and always enjoyed the falls, but also been surprised at the number of visitors. On a summer Saturday, the parking lot can be full reasonably early in the morning.

Don't let the crowds deter, however, as the hike is quite pretty and the falls themselves an excellent destination. The route is steep and relatively long (about 4 miles round trip and over 1000' of gain along the way), with the last section being particularly steep and rocky. The difficulties and distance make this not suitable for all, but a fun, adventurous outing for most.

Note: The lower section, in particular, can get very hot with little shade. If visiting in the summer, I recommend an early start.

Craggy rocks in Adams Canyon

Craggy rocks in Adams Canyon

Getting There

The trailhead is off of US-89 near Fruit Heights. If coming from SLC, take US-89 exit from I-15 about 10 miles north of Salt Lake, signed South Ogden. Follow this for 6.2 miles to Eastside Drive. This road is a small side road on the right without a signal. Once on Eastside Drive, turn right (south) and continue 0.4 miles to the parking area on the left side of the road.

Views of the valley from the Bonneville Shoreline section

Views of the valley from the Bonneville Shoreline section

Route

From the trailhead, the trail follows a fence line to the first switchback, where it quickly climbs a series of 11 or so switchbacks, gaining elevation. Between about switchback 10 and 11 is a bench and side trails on the right. The side trails go to the smaller Lower Adams Canyon falls, stay left on the main path.

Once up the switchbacks, the trail mercifully flattens out and joins the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Stay right at the Bonneville Shoreline junction, as the trail heads southeast and begins contouring into Adams Canyon.

About 0.75 miles from the trailhead, another junction is reached. Right stays on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, crossing Adams Canyon on a bridge. Stay straight instead, in the bottom of Adams Canyon.

The scenery, in my opinion, gets better in this section as the trail climbs Adams Canyon. Shade becomes plentiful!

A log bridge is the next major landmark. Beyond the bridge, several steep rocky sections occur, with quite a few braided side trails. Stay on whatever seems to be the main trail, as they all appear to head to up canyon to the falls.

Canyoneers Note: The falls are rappelled by canyoneers occasionally. To reach the top of the falls, scramble up on the left (looking up canyon). The falls are about 13 m ( 43 ft. ), but I would recommend a 20 m ( 66 ft. ) rope. The best anchor when I visited was a ways back from the edge.

Maps

Route / 3.96 miles / Elevation Range 4,823 - 6,159 ft.
Printable Maps:

Trailhead

12T 423550mE 4546519mN

N41° 03' 59" W111° 54' 36"

Bench - Stay Left

12T 423820mE 4546558mN

N41° 04' 00" W111° 54' 24"

Bonneville Shoreline - Right

12T 424082mE 4546526mN

N41° 03' 59" W111° 54' 13"

Bonneville Shoreline 2 - Left

12T 424394mE 4546521mN

N41° 03' 59" W111° 53' 60"

Falls

12T 425623mE 4546608mN

N41° 04' 02" W111° 53' 07"

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