Salt Lake County

Rocky Mouth Falls, Utah

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Rocky Mouth Falls in early May 2013

For a number of the waterfalls along the Wasatch Range in and near the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, it felt that I was often climbing consistently uphill (and then downhill). There were exceptions, such as Hidden Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, but I definitely got a workout in over the three or four days that I visited waterfalls in the area.

Rocky Mouth Falls seemed to be the easiest of the waterfalls to visit that still required some uphill climbing. It’s an approximate 200′ elevation gain, though this happens over a relatively short 1/4 of a mile. This means there is definitely some steeper portion, though because it’s over with so quickly (compared to some of the other falls in the area), I didn’t really mind.

Getting to the trail isn’t difficult, but it is a bit odd. You start of at a designated parking area, and then walk along sidewalks into a residential area to the start of the trail. (As I’ve seen mentioned elsewhere, park in the designated area, and then be respectful as you walk through the area. It would be sad if use to this trail were ever lost.) After hiking that 1/4 mile, you’ll end up at the falls. I can’t seem to obtain an official height of the falls, and I’m really bad at judging height, but it’s tall enough to make it worth your while. I’m guessing that in the depths of summer, this might reduce to a trickle, so choose your visit appropriately.

Directions:

  1. It seems the easiest way to find this waterfall is to type this in on Google Maps in your phone or on your GPS. The trailhead is found near 11248 S. Wasatch Boulevard, which runs adjacent to the mountain range. It’s directly across from an LDS Chapel.
  2. From the parking area, follow the signs into the residential area. Keep following the signs to the start of the trail, which I remember was pretty easy to find.
  3. Start your journey along the trail to the falls!

Accessibility: 6/10 (moderate)
Height: 70′
Length of Hike: 1 mile round-trip

Where in the World is Rocky Mouth Falls?

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Lake Blanche Falls, Utah

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Lake Blanche Falls in May 2013

Let me start by saying that I believe there are more waterfalls that could be classified as Lake Blanche Falls. This is the easiest and closest to the start of the Lake Blanche trail head in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The trail continues on for a ways, and climbs in elevation. Searches for Lake Blanche Falls indicate there might be taller falls along this trail.

This smaller waterfall is easily visited in Big Cottonwood Canyon. I visited last May, and there were still flurries at that time. Luckily, the main road wasn’t closed. One of the roads leading to Doughnut Falls, a very popular waterfall, was still closed, so I turned around. Hidden Falls, a really beautiful waterfall, is in one parking area along a S-curve in the road. In another parking area across the road is the start of the Lake Blanche trailhead. I wasn’t feeling particularly great, and didn’t wish to hike for a long time. I still wanted to see what was in the area, though, and so I hiked a short distance along this trail. I stopped once I saw some water flowing. The trail started going uphill at this point where the waterfall/cascades could be found.

I’m not sure that I’d go out of my way to see just this waterfall. As I’ve mentioned, though, Hidden Falls and Doughnut Falls are both close by. I also believe that on a warmer day, the hike along the Lake Blanche trailhead could be very enjoyable.

Directions:

  1. Head east on UT-190 (Cottonwood Canyon Road). You will enter the National Forest.
  2. Just past mile-marker 6 (which is not 6 miles along the path, but instead 4 miles or so), there is a S-shaped curve. There are two parking areas on the right side of the road. They are somewhat easy to miss at first!
  3. Park in the first parking lot. (The second leads to Hidden Falls.) From there, head east along the Lake Blanche trail, which hugs Big Cottonwood Creek. After a short distance, you should find this waterfall.

Accessibility: 10/10 (very easy hike to the falls)
Height: 10′
Length of Hike: 0.4 miles round-trip

Where in the World is Lake Blanche Falls?

Hidden Falls, Utah

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Hidden Falls in May 2013

I planned on visiting the Salt Lake City area in late May, but due to work rescheduled to early May. I wondered whether snow at higher elevations would have any effect on finding waterfalls. Well, there is still snow, and there were flurries as I was driving to some of the higher elevations. Nothing too bad, though!

I was trying to find Donut Falls, but you’ll have to find out about that elsewhere. The road to the falls was blocked off.  I probably could have walked the extra mile to the trail head, but really had no wish to do that in the snow. Instead, I looked up some other waterfalls that were along the same road.

There are a number of waterfalls along UT-190. Hidden Falls is by far one of the easiest to find, easiest to visit, and just plain impressive. It’s a really stunning waterfall. A mine is right next to the falls, and there are also wood crates in the creek that lead to hidden coves. Hidden Falls is definitely worthwhile visiting!

Directions:

  1. Head east on UT-190 (Cottonwood Canyon Road).  You will enter the National Forest.
  2. Just past mile-marker 6 (which is not 6 miles along the path, but instead 4 miles or so), there is a S-shaped curve. There are two parking areas on the right side of the road. They are somewhat easy to miss at first! The second parking area, Mill B North Fork, is where you want to park.
  3. Follow the trail uphill and across UT-190.
  4. You will be able to see the falls, but it can be a little confusing.  Head up the obvious trail for just a few feet, and then veer left along a trail toward the creek. Don’t follow the trail that follows the road. And definitely don’t try to climb the trail that goes uphill. It’s way to complicated and steep!
  5. Follow the left trail along the creek a very short distance to the falls. If you feel like you’re exerting way too much energy, then it’s not the right path!

Accessibility: 7/10 (easy/moderate)
Height: 25′
Length of Hike: 0.3 miles round-trip

Where in the World is Hidden Falls?