Jump Off Canyon

The Trail

This moderate loop trail is 3.1 miles round trip with about a 1000 ft elevation change.

Topographical Map (blue = Jump Off Canyon; red = Canal)

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

The trail starts just off Harrison Blvd. heading east toward the mountains. Hikers will quickly come to a stump that has been made into a funny figure with arms and a face. The trail soon reaches a split at which you can go around the loop in either direction. We turned right at this point, so that is reflected in the descriptions here. 

Trailhead sign

Stump Figure

After hiking about a half mile from the trailhead, there is a small turn off immediately before the cement wall holding the canal water. Take this path to head up the hill further. The wider straight path following the cement here is the canal trail, marked in red on the maps above.

Canal Trail

Turn-off right before the canal to continue up the mountain

Continue up the trail until coming to another split. At this point, one trail continues straight along the side of the mountain while the other heads up into the canyon. Take this later trail to head toward the back of the canyon.

Trail split; head right toward canyon

Trail heading toward canyon

From here, the trail becomes more rocky and starts to climb more steeply. There is a trail to the side of the riverbed, but sometimes it is easy to end up along the riverbed instead. Continue to climb to the back of the canyon, where you will reach a rock wall. At times, water does come down here creating a waterfall, but most of the year it remains dry. 

 

Approaching cliff walls at back of canyon

  

Drop off where waterfall runs at times

Looking up at cliffs at back of canyon

View looking out from back of canyon

After enjoying the jagged cliffs at this point, return the way you came until reaching the split. To complete the full loop, turn right and continue back down along this side of the loop, making sure to turn off the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and back toward the trailhead when you reach the trail descending. There are a number of signs clearly marking turn-offs and labeling trails that help with this.

 

Dogs are permitted on this trail, and there are even a couple water bowl stations that can be filled with your water to allow your pup to drink. There are no restrooms at the trailhead.

 

Directions

This trail is located in Ogden, Utah. To get there from I-15, take Exit 344 for 12th Street in Ogden and continue east to Monroe Blvd. Turn left here, then turn right onto 700 S. Continue to Harrison Blvd. and turn left. Continue north for just over a mile until you reach the trailhead on your right. 

If you are coming from an area north of the trailhead, it may be faster/easier to take US-89 to this point, following it until North St., heading south on Collin's Blvd./1000 E, and then onto Harrison Blvd.

GPS Coordinates: N41° 16.004' W111° 56.841'