Bell Canyon Trail to Lower Falls

SALT LAKE CITY, UT

After doing Grandeur Peak on Wed, with plans to do Mount Olympus tomorrow, I was looking for a moderate hike tonight.

I found Bell Canyon Trail, exactly 5 miles out and back, with an elevation gain of 1,579. The trailhead is near Little Cottonwood Canyon, and just 30 minutes from my Airbnb.

The trail starts out pretty flat, past a pretty reservoir.

Then over a stream that is fed by the waterfall I'm hiking to. Which picture do you like better - the standard pic? Or the long exposure? Click the thumbnails to view the other photo.

The problem with a hike that starts out flat is that you are saving ALL of the elevation gain for last. The final climb to the waterfall was a better workout than I had anticipated. But at least I was rewarded with a spectacular waterfall.

I'm not sure how high the falls are, but I could feel the spray from the falls as I was hiking down to this point, so it's pretty high with a TON of water rushing down those rocks.

Here's another view of the falls with the long exposure feature.

And while you are looking at the falls, don't forget to turn around and take in the view from the other side. This isn't too shabby either. :)