Riverside Nature Trail

The Trail
This easy trail is about 1.4 miles long one way with a 120 foot elevation change. It basically follows the Logan River and connects the Spring Hollow Campground to the Guinavah Campground. We hiked starting at Spring Hollow and ended at Guinavah, so the elevation graph below reflects that direction.

Topographical Map

Graph of Elevation (starting from Spring Hollow)

Trail in Google Earth

The hiking symbols on the topographical map mark where the Riverside Nature Trail intersects with the Crimson Trail.

Trailhead sign from Spring Hollow end

Another trailhead sign from Spring Hollow

There are a number of informative signs along the trail, but many are damaged due to age or vandalism. The views of the canyon and river are nice, and you can also see the Wind Caves across the way.

The trail seems like it would be pretty well shaded, though we happened to try it on a cloudy day in any case.

Trailhead from the Guinavah side

Directions
This trail is located near Logan in Cache County, Utah. From Main Street in Logan turn east onto 400 North. Continue on this road for about 6.5 miles as it heads out of the city and up the canyon until you reach Spring Hollow Campground on your right. After turning in, you will find a parking area to the right after you cross the bridge. From there, walk across the street you just drove in on and follow the dirt trail a short ways until you come to the signs for the trailhead. GPS Coordinates: N41 45.188 W111 43.019

Alternatively, you could drive 7.4 miles up 400 North/US-89 until you reach the Guinavah Campground to start there.

Cascade Springs

The Trail
This trail system consists of about 1.4 miles total of mostly paved walkways and boardwalks. There are three main loops visitors can stroll along, plus trails from the upper parking area and lower parking area to those loops. The entire trail system has about a 188 foot elevation change. Keep in mind though that most people do not walk along all the sections of trail shown below. The elevation graph below reflects our path through the trail system starting from the lower end, going up to the upper end, walking to the upper parking lot, and heading back down along the trails along the sides of the loop we hadn't covered yet.

Topographical Map

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

Cascade Springs are fed from the water up in the surrounding mountains. The snow melt and other water flow through the porous rock in the mountains until they reach Cascade Springs, with the impermeable rock forces the water to flow out through the springs.

Trailhead at upper parking lot

Not only are the little waterfalls and flowing streams of interest, the wildflowers in the area add lots of color and beauty to this area as well. Also, keep an eye out for trout in the pools.

Monkey Flower

Columbine

Bracted Honeysuckle/Black Twinberry

Monkshood

Portions of this trail are wheelchair accessible. The entire trail is very easy for people of almost any skill level. This area is open to leashed dogs. Bathrooms are available at both trailheads, but flushing toilets are only at the lower trailhead. The bathrooms with running water have been closed this summer though. This path is in a national forest area that requires a fee to enter and use.

Directions
This trail is located in Wasatch County, Utah. To get to it, take the Alpine Loop up American Fork Canyon. Soon after the summit, there is a turn off for Cascade Springs.

If you are coming from the south, you can go up Provo Canyon, turn off toward Sundance and Aspen Grove, and continue to Alpine Loop. From there you can continue to the turn off for Cascade Springs.

Either way, the first parking area for Cascade Springs you come to is the Upper Parking Lot. This lot will take you on a longer walk to reach the springs. The lower lot is much closer to the springs. GPS Coordinates for Lower Parking Lot: N40 27.490 W111 32.934

Diamond Fork/Fifth Water Hot Springs Trail

The Trail
This moderate trail is about 2.5 miles long with a 684 foot elevation change. It leads to a series of pools of varying temperatures that are fed by creek water and a hot spring. These pools are popular places to relax all year round.

Topographical Map

Graph of Elevation

Topographical Map

 The trail starts out following Sixth Water Creek for the first 1.1 miles. There are lots of cliffs mostly composed of conglomerate rock to the sides of the trail. After crossing the bridge the trail continues to follow the smaller Fifth Water Creek to the hot springs.

Bridge over Sixth Water Creek

Sixth Water Creek

Soon after the bridge, there is a split in the trail. Both trails may end up going to the same place, but we stayed to the right closer to the creek. This split also marks the half-way point to the springs.

As you continue up the trail next the Fifth Water Creek, you will see lots of tiny falls and some pools of water. The water starts to look more and more blue as you continue up the trail.

The actual pools are pretty obvious when you reach them. They have been carefully sectioned off from one another. Some are hotter than others. Watch out for skinny dippers; skinny dipping here is illegal, but there are some who do it anyway.

Sectioned pools of hot water perfect for relaxing in

At the end of the pools there is a waterfall. It is pretty easy to climb up under the waterfall if you want and stick your head out under it through the hole in the rocks. The water from the fall is cold, but the water in front of it and just to the side is very hot since the spring deposits water right to that area.

You can also hike up to the top of the waterfall and just a little ways further if you want. The trail does seem to connect to another one at its end, but it is a bit steep and slippery to get up to.

Leashed dogs are permitted on this trail, and there are vault toilets available at the trailhead. Please be considerate and respectful by not leaving trash on the trail or at the hot springs. If you pack it in, pack it out.

Directions
This trail is located near Spanish Fork in Utah County, Utah. To get there, take I-15 to US-6 in Spanish Fork. Get off at Exit 257 and continue to Diamond Fork Rd. Turn right and continue up this road for about 10 miles. The trailhead will be on the right. GPS Coordinates: N40 05.068 W111 21.311