Pillar Falls

The Trail

This moderate trail is only 0.8 miles one way when starting from the parking area, however it does pack about a 400 ft elevation change, nearly all of which is in a half mile portion of the trail. At the time we hiked this, construction workers were busy grading and renovating the trail to pave it. We were probably about the last if not the last hikers to hike this unpaved. It is pretty steep, which made it a bit slick in places, and I don't know how the paving of the trail will affect this aspect. The trail leads to a nice viewpoint of Pillar Falls. If you are up for a bit longer hike, there is also a trail to another waterfall (shown in green below) that will add an additional 0.2 miles to your hike (0.1 miles one way) and about 100 ft more in elevation change.

Topographical Map (red = Pillar Falls, green = other falls)

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

It is difficult to start this trail at the actual trailhead as there is no parking there. For this reason, most people start at the parking lot at the intersection up the road, and then walk along the road to reach the trail. This adds 0.3 miles to the hike; otherwise it would only be half a mile to the falls. The trailhead is marked by a sign warning people that only foot traffic is permitted on the trail.

Trailhead

From there the trail descends steeply toward the river below.

Much of the trail was soft dirt like
this when we hiked

When you reach the split, go right to reach the viewpoint to see Pillar Falls in the distance. Unfortunately, my nice pictures from my camera were accidentally lost, so I am just left with a few taken from a phone instead.

Looking out toward Pillar Falls

 

If you are up for a bit more hiking, turn right on your way back onto the other trail and make your way down to the other falls found this direction. There are also some fantastic views here of the bridge and Snake River. From here you can return the way you came, climbing back up the canyon.

Other waterfall

Directions

If you are coming from south of Twin Fall, take Exit 182 off of I-84 and turn left onto State Route 50. Next, turn right onto 3900 N/Addison Rd. Continue 6 miles and then turn right onto 3200 E/Hankins Rd. Next turn left onto 4000 N/Falls Ave, then right onto 3100 E/Airport Rd. As this road turns left, turn right onto Pole Line Rd. and park in the lot to the right. From here walk to the trailhead about 0.3 miles down Pole Line Rd.

If you are coming from the north, take Exit 173 off I-84 and merge onto US-93. Turn left onto Bridgeview Blvd. and from there turn left onto 4100 N. Continue to Pole Line Rd. and turn left, then turn right into the parking lot.

GPS Coordinates for the parking lot: N42° 35.517' W114° 26.407'

GPS Coordinate for the trail: N42° 35.528' W114° 26.090'

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'