This moderate trail is about 0.9 mile round trip with an elevation change of about 490 feet. We followed the Davis Creek Trail up and came down on the Triumph Trail, so that direction is reflected in the elevation graph below.
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| Topographical Map |
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| Graph of Elevation |
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| Trail in Google Earth |
You can go up to the waterfall either on the Triumph Trail or the Davis Creek Trail. The Davis Creek trail starts just a short distance south up the road from the dirt parking area and is well marked. The Triumph Trail has been moved recently so that it starts at the gate across from the parking area, as explained below.
The trail heads up steeply, but it is short. Please note that if this trail were longer, it would be classified as difficult. Some labeled turn offs can be found along the way up, like the turn off to Pretty Valley and to Hells Hole, both of which you can find more information on here. There is also an unmarked turn off right before the one to Pretty Valley that heads to the Indian Bath Tubs. This short trail is shown in red on the maps above. It used to be labeled, and there used to be ropes here that could be used as hand lines, but this time we went all of that was gone. You can still find nice views of the little falls tumbling into small pools of water if you follow this path, but keep in mind that it is a bit steep and can be slick climbing on the rocks.
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| Indian Bath Tubs |
Continuing further up the canyon on the trail past the Hells Hole turn off and over a bridge, the trail follows the stream for a bit longer before switching back and heading up the opposite side of the canyon from where it started. Soon after this switchback, there is a trail heading west down the canyon, which is where you will return to in order to follow the Triumph Trail down the canyon if you go the same way we came. If you continue the climb up though, you will soon come to a group of rocks jutting up from the slope of the mountain. From these rocks, you will have an excellent view of the waterfall further up the canyon.
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| View of falls from the rock |
You may also notice some very cool looking metamorphic rocks with some pronounced wavy lines running through them in the area.
There are also nice views of the valley from here.
There is a trail that continues closer to the falls just on the other side of these rocks (shown in gray on the maps above), but it trails off in disappointment, leaving hikers with little to no view of the waterfall. Those wishing to continue longer though can continue to climb the Triumph Trail. It heads up to a bench and then continues up along the north side of the canyon above the falls.
If you wish to go down, return to the trail split and head west. About 0.3 mile from the rocky viewpoint, you will come to a dirt road (as marked with blue flag on the topographical map above). Take this dirt road and stay left at all the road intersections until you return to the parking area. (If you start from this end, begin by going around the gate and turn off the main dirt road after it switches southward before it turns to go north again, as show on the topographical map for the Grotto in Hornet Canyon Trail.)
Please note that this is not what we did. We tried following where the trail used to be. It was not as obvious a path as the road, but it was the way we had gone previously. (In fact, at the time of this post, it is still the path shown on the Farmington City website and maps of the area.) Going this way, trail became particularly difficult to follow at its end. It appears to have been washed out in a slide, which is probably why it was re-routed to the dirt road. The trail disappeared at this point in a hill of slippery dirt and gravel.
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| Washed out portion of original Triumph Trail |
If you look at the Google Earth image, you can see the clear path of the dirt road we should have taken. It will be a longer route, but an easier one.
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| Washout area of original trail |
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| Original trailhead for the Triumph Trail - notice the metal post with the sign missing |
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| New trailhead for the Triumph Trail |
There are no bathrooms at the trailhead. Leashed dogs are permitted on these trails.
Directions
This trail is located in Davis County, Utah in Farmington. To get there from north of Farmington, take exit 325 off of I-15 and turn left onto Park Lane. Next, turn right onto Main Street and continue on this road as it curves around. When you reach State Street, turn left and follow this road as it curves around a bend. Keep going until you reach Woodland Dr., then turn left. At the end of Woodland Dr. you will come to a dirt road called Little Valley Road. Drive up to the reservoir and you will find a dirt parking area. There is also a trail map here. You can walk up the road to the trailhead from here. There are multiple trailheads, so look for the one that is labeled "Davis Creek Trail." Alternatively, you can start at the Triumph Trailhead at the gate across from the parking area.
If you are coming from the south, take exit 222 off of I-15 and continue along 200 West to 200 South. Turn right onto 200 South, and next turn right onto 200 East. From there, turn left onto Woodland Dr. and continue as outlined above. GPS Coordinates: N40 57.961 W111 52.367
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