Rainbow Canyon to Petroglyph Cave

The Trail

This moderate trail is about 0.7 miles one way with about a 300 foot elevation change. Due to multiple washes and bike tracks, the trail can be tricky to find and confusing to follow at the beginning. Many of the washes will still take you in the right direction, but it is also possible to get sidetracked out of the canyon and head more north instead of east or end up on a hillside. Studying the map and using a compass or GPS should help with this. Generally the trail stays low down in the washes until the very end.

Topographical Map

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

This trail does start out pretty wide but narrows as it goes. Stay left to start with as you go just around the first hill. The path often crosses deeper wash sections, and it is likely to be wet and muddy if there has been recent rain.

Note the bike tracks along the wide beginning of the trail

After heading north briefly, you should turn to head more east. Don't continue north for too long or you will miss Rainbow Canyon.

There are lots of interesting rocks along this trail that make it all the more scenic.

It is easy to miss the trail heading up to the cave if you aren't paying attention. However, it is marked with an arrow drawn out on rocks along the trail. If you miss this, you can climb up other ways, but it is far better to take the main path as it is easier and better for the area than trying to follow or make other trails up.

Arrow pointing to trail up to cave

Trail up to cave

This last section of trail up to the cave is easily the steepest part of the trail, but hikers are well rewarded at the top with some amazing colorful views and a rock enclosure or "cave." As you go through the cave and come out the other side, turn around to look back at it. You will find the petroglyphs on the rock just above it.

"Petroglyph Cave"

Other side of Petroglyph Cave

Petroglyphs

Then continue to climb around on the rocks in the vicinity for awhile to enjoy the view! It is all the more obvious from up here where this canyon got its name.

When finished, turn around to head back the way you came.

This trail is open to pets. There are no restrooms available at the trailhead.

 

Directions

This trail is located in Iron County, Utah in Cedar City. To get there from I-15, take Exit 59 and head east on 200 N. Turn left at 200 E. This road changes names as it curves around, but stay on it until you reach Highland Dr., then turn left again. Turn right on the very next road, Rainbow Canyon Cir, and then continue to the dirt parking area. The trail starts by going up the wash on the left. GPS Coordinates: N37° 40.924' W113° 03.082'

Bonneville Shoreline Trail to Power Line Road

The Trail

This easy trail is about 1.6 miles one way from the trailhead to Power Line Road with only about a 450 foot elevation change. The maps below show an additional tenth a mile continuing along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail past Power Line Road, but hikers of course could travel much further than that with enough time and desire.

Topographical Map (Blue=Bonneville Shoreline Trail)

Graph of Elevation

 

Trail in Google Earth

The trail starts heading due north from a small parking area. A Rocky Mountain Power sign warns that the trail is only open to non-motorized use for hiking, running, biking, equestrian, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing.

The trail makes a switchback and crosses a dirt road before reaching the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. At this point, the trail moves east along the base of the mountain, offering some lovely views along the way.

There is not much shade along the trail, so hiking this during cooler times of the day is probably more pleasant during the summer months. The trail is pretty easy to follow. At one point I took the dirt road that followed the power lines, which is shown in red in the maps above. However, if you stay on what looks like the hiking trail, you will not end up as I did. I took the right trail on the way back. Both paths lead the same direction though.

Along the dirt road

Along the trail on the way back

After just over a mile and a half, hikers will arrive at Power Line Road, which goes up to a fenced off reservoir. You cannot get near the reservoir, but this point is a logical turn around point for those looking for a short hike with some nice scenery.

Looking up Power Line Road toward Reservoir

 

There are some other trails that turn off along the way. I am not sure where they all go. One is shown in green in the maps above. Another appears on Google Earth to circle up and then back down to the trail again.

This trail is open to dogs and horses. There are no restrooms at the trailhead.

Directions

If you are coming from south of the trailhead, head north on I-15 and take Exit 349 for 2700 N in Farr West. Alternatively, depending on where you are coming from, it may make more sense to take Hwy 89 to 2700 N. From there, head east and turn left onto 1000 W. Then turn right onto Pleasant View Drive and take the next left right before a church onto 900 W. Next, turn right onto 4300 N, then left on 125 W. When this street ends, turn left onto Cottonwood Dr. At the end of this road, turn right onto 4600 N and continue to the parking area at the end of the road.

If you are coming from the north, it would be better to take Exit 351 from I-15, turn left, and get onto Hwy 89. From there, turn left onto Pleasant View Drive and continue as explained above.

GPS Coordinates: N41° 20.476' W111° 58.592'

 

Lost Creek Falls

The Trail

This moderately difficult trail is 1.2 miles long one-way with a 1078 ft elevation change. The trail is rocky, uneven, and steep, and it crosses the stream here and there, but it isn't long to get to the waterfall.

Topographical Map

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

This trail can be started from Nunn's Park or from a dirt road for the "Alta Ditch," but the information above reflects starting from Nunn's Park. From Nunn's Park, head up the Great Western Trail until it connects to a much wider dirt road and turn right to head north. Continue along the road until you reach another trail that turns off steeply to the left, which is near a pump house and utility boxes. This is the trail you will want to take up to the waterfall.

 

Trailhead starts along chain link fence

Trail connects with wider dirt road

Trail turns to go up steeply

If you decide to start from the "Alta Ditch" road, you can turn off to the dirt road directly across from Bridalveil Falls. This option is shown in red in the maps above. There is a gate right after this turn off and then the road continues up from there.

"Alta Ditch" starting point

Turn-off for Lost Creek Falls Trail

The trail is pretty easy until you turn up here, at which point hikers will start climbing steadily up the canyon. The trail is clear and easy to follow at first, but after it meets the creek it becomes much more rocky and less clear. Paths can be found on either side of the creek, sometimes more clearly than others.

Heading up the canyon along the creek

Either way, it will be clear when you reach the base of the falls.

The rocks are slick where they are wet, but hikers can scramble up the dry steep slope to the north of the falls to reach the second tier for a better view.

Water dripping of cliffs to the north

View of falls after climbing further up

After finishing at the falls, hikers can enjoy nice views of Bridalveil Falls across the way as they hike back down the steep trail.

Looking out toward Bridalveil Falls

Directions

This trail is located in Utah County up Provo Canyon. To get there from I-15, take Exit 272 for 800 N in Orem. Head east along this road until the road splits. Stay left to head up into Provo Canyon. Turn right off Provo Canyon Rd. to the Nunn's Park area, just over three miles after you turn onto the road. Head left toward Nunn's Park, going under Provo Canyon Rd. The parking area for this trail is the first one you arrive at upon crossing under the road and is off to your right. From there, follow the road back just a bit to find the trail. GPS Coordinates: N40° 20.247' W111° 36.664'

Big Baldy via Dry Canyon and Battle Creek Trails

The Trail

This difficult trail is about 8.7 miles one way with about a 3,500 foot elevation change. We started by hiking up the side of Dry Canyon, so the information here reflects that direction. We just went one way and had someone who could pick us up at the end, but it is also possible to make a loop by heading back along to the Dry Canyon Trailhead along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (not shown on these maps), or even along the Curly Springs Trail (shown in red on the topographical map below).

Topographical Map (blue=Big Baldy; red=Curly Springs)

 

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

The trail up Dry Canyon involves a steady ascent that only levels off a bit in a couple places. It takes hikers past some beautiful jutting rocks and along a stream bed that is nearly always dry. Since we happened to hike on a very cold wet day though, we saw water there on this occasion.

Dry Canyon Trailhead

This trail is well labeled wit signs like this informing hikers
of distances

Looking up Dry Canyon

After passing the jutting rocks, a trail does head off to the left leading toward the top of the rocks, but this is not the way to go. Continue heading northeast toward the mountains. Hikers will arrive at a short flatter section of the trail with meadows. Mount Timpanogos becomes more visible as well.

Looking back down the canyon

More level section of the trail

About 0.7 miles up, the Curly Springs Trail turns off to the left. About 2.5 miles up, the Little Baldy Trail heads off to the right eventually intersecting with the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and the Provo Parkway Trail.

 

 

As hikers approach the top divide between Battle Creek and Dry Canyons, the trail levels off for a bit. Then to the left is a trail that resumes the steep ascent to the top of Big Baldy. After heading up this trail for 0.7 miles, you will be at the top to enjoy the beautiful and stunning views there.

 

To continue down by way of Battle Creek Canyon, after descending the path up to Big Baldy, turn left. The trail soon becomes a series of switch backs along the back side of Big Baldy. After the switchbacks, the path straightens out some and continues to an intersection 1.9 miles from the path up to Big Baldy. Continuing straight here along the Timpanogos Perimeter trail (shown in green in the maps above) would take you over to Grove Creek Canyon. To continue along the path shown in the map, turn left to continue toward Kiwanis Park. Hikers will soon come to a dirt road intersecting the trail. Just stay on the trail and continue down the canyon.

Three miles down from the trail to the top of Big Baldy, you will come to the Curly Springs Trail. This trail is much better labeled than it used to be. This trail crosses the creek and then continues up the other side.

Sign labeling Curly Springs Intersection

Looking across the creek at the
Curly Springs Trail

Roughly three fourths of the way down, hikers will come to the first real visible waterfall along thing canyon, and a short ways later come to the last and largest waterfall, both marked by blue ovals. This last waterfall is Battle Creek Fall, and is about 50 feet high. There are a couple more small falls in between.

Battle Creek Waterfall

From Battle Creek Falls to the trailhead is only 0.6 more miles. Hiking from the trailhead to this waterfall is a popular short hike that is very family friendly.

This trail is open to dogs and horses. Their are restrooms available at both trailheads.

Directions

This trail is found in Utah County. If you are starting from Dry Canyon (as we did), from I-15, take Exit 273 for Lindon/1600 N Orem. Head east on 1600 North until you reach 400 West. Turn left on 400 West, then turn right on 2000 North/200 South. Continue up the hill to the to the top of 2000 North, then turn left onto Dry Canyon Dr. Follow the road up to the parking lot where you will find the trail head. GPS Coordinates: N40° 20.498' W111° 40.601'

If you are trying to reach the Battle Creek Canyon trail head, from I-15, take Exit 275 for Pleasant Grove/Lindon. Head roughly east on Pleasant Grove Blvd. to State Street and turn right. From State Street, turn left onto 200 S/Battle Creek Dr. Continue straight up this road until you reach the park at the end. The trail starts from the park. GPS Coordinates: N40° 21.786' W111° 42.046'