donut falls hiking

I’ve always been a fan of hiking‚ and I’ve been fortunate enough to experience some of the most beautiful trails in the world. But one hike that always stands out in my mind is my trek to Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon‚ Utah. I remember it like it was yesterday.

A Hidden Gem in Big Cottonwood Canyon

Nestled in the heart of Big Cottonwood Canyon‚ Donut Falls is a hidden gem that offers a breathtaking hiking experience. The trailhead is located just a short drive from the town of Brighton‚ and the hike itself is relatively easy‚ making it a great option for hikers of all levels. But don’t let the easy trail fool you ― the views along the way are simply stunning.

The trail begins by following Big Cottonwood Creek‚ and the sound of rushing water provides a constant soundtrack to your hike. As you ascend‚ the canyon walls become steeper and more dramatic‚ and the views of the surrounding mountains become more and more impressive. After about a mile‚ you’ll reach a junction where you can either continue on to Donut Falls or take a side trail to Silver Lake. I highly recommend taking the side trail to Silver Lake ‒ it’s a beautiful alpine lake with crystal-clear water and stunning views of the surrounding peaks.

After enjoying Silver Lake‚ backtrack to the junction and continue on to Donut Falls. The trail becomes a bit steeper here‚ but it’s still manageable. After a few more minutes of hiking‚ you’ll reach the base of Donut Falls. The waterfall is truly a sight to behold‚ and it’s easy to see how it got its name. The water plunges over a sheer cliff into a large pool below‚ and the mist from the falls creates a rainbow on sunny days.

I spent a good amount of time at Donut Falls‚ enjoying the views and taking pictures. It’s a great place to relax and soak in the beauty of the canyon. When I was finally ready to leave‚ I retraced my steps back to the trailhead. The hike back down was just as enjoyable as the hike up‚ and I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to experience such a beautiful place.

The Trail

The trail to Donut Falls is well-maintained and easy to follow‚ making it a great option for hikers of all levels. The trail begins at the Donut Falls trailhead‚ which is located just a short drive from the town of Brighton. The first part of the trail follows Big Cottonwood Creek‚ and the sound of rushing water provides a constant soundtrack to your hike. As you ascend‚ the canyon walls become steeper and more dramatic‚ and the views of the surrounding mountains become more and more impressive.

After about a mile‚ you’ll reach a junction where you can either continue on to Donut Falls or take a side trail to Silver Lake. I highly recommend taking the side trail to Silver Lake ― it’s a beautiful alpine lake with crystal-clear water and stunning views of the surrounding peaks. The side trail to Silver Lake is about 0.5 miles each way‚ and it adds about 100 feet of elevation gain to your hike.

After enjoying Silver Lake‚ backtrack to the junction and continue on to Donut Falls. The trail becomes a bit steeper here‚ but it’s still manageable. After a few more minutes of hiking‚ you’ll reach the base of Donut Falls. The waterfall is truly a sight to behold‚ and it’s easy to see how it got its name. The water plunges over a sheer cliff into a large pool below‚ and the mist from the falls creates a rainbow on sunny days.

The total distance of the hike to Donut Falls is about 2 miles‚ and it takes most people about 1-2 hours to complete. The elevation gain is about 400 feet. The trail is open year-round‚ but it’s important to be aware of the weather conditions before you hike. The trail can be icy in the winter‚ and it’s important to wear appropriate footwear.

The Falls

Donut Falls is a beautiful waterfall located in Big Cottonwood Canyon‚ Utah. The waterfall is named for its unique shape‚ which resembles a donut. The water plunges over a sheer cliff into a large pool below‚ and the mist from the falls creates a rainbow on sunny days.

I was immediately impressed by the size and beauty of Donut Falls. The waterfall is much larger than I expected‚ and the power of the water is truly awe-inspiring. I spent several minutes just standing there and watching the water cascade over the cliff. The sound of the falls was deafening‚ and the mist from the falls kept me cool on a hot summer day.

I decided to take a closer look at the falls‚ so I carefully made my way down to the pool below. The water was cold and refreshing‚ and I couldn’t resist taking a dip. I swam around in the pool for a while‚ enjoying the view of the falls from below. It was an amazing experience‚ and I’m so glad I decided to take the hike to Donut Falls.

If you’re looking for a beautiful and refreshing hike‚ I highly recommend checking out Donut Falls. The hike is relatively easy‚ and the payoff is huge. The falls are truly a sight to behold‚ and you’re sure to have a memorable experience.

Here are some tips for hiking to Donut Falls⁚

• Wear sturdy hiking shoes‚ as the trail can be slippery in some places.
• Bring plenty of water‚ as there is no water available on the trail.
• Be aware of the weather conditions before you hike‚ as the trail can be icy in the winter.
• Allow yourself plenty of time to enjoy the falls‚ as it’s a popular destination.

The Views

The hike to Donut Falls is not only beautiful‚ but it also offers some amazing views of Big Cottonwood Canyon. Along the trail‚ you’ll be able to see towering mountains‚ lush forests‚ and sparkling streams. And of course‚ you’ll have stunning views of Donut Falls itself.

One of the best views of the falls is from the bridge that crosses the stream below. From here‚ you can see the falls from above‚ and you can really appreciate its size and power. I spent several minutes just standing on the bridge and taking in the view. It was truly a breathtaking experience.

Another great view of the falls is from the pool below. From here‚ you can see the falls from below‚ and you can really feel the power of the water. I sat down on a rock and just watched the water cascade over the cliff. It was an amazing sight‚ and I could have stayed there all day.

In addition to the views of the falls‚ the hike to Donut Falls also offers some great views of Big Cottonwood Canyon. Along the trail‚ you’ll be able to see towering mountains‚ lush forests‚ and sparkling streams. The scenery is simply stunning‚ and I highly recommend taking the time to enjoy it.

Here are some tips for getting the best views of Donut Falls⁚

• Hike to the falls early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the crowds.
• Bring a camera to capture the amazing views.
• Take your time and enjoy the scenery. There’s no need to rush on this hike.

Overall Impression

I’ve hiked to Donut Falls several times‚ and I’ve always been impressed by its beauty. The falls are truly a sight to behold‚ and the hike itself is a lot of fun. I would highly recommend this hike to anyone who is looking for a beautiful and challenging hike in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Here are some of the things I liked most about the hike to Donut Falls⁚

• The scenery is stunning. The trail winds through a beautiful forest‚ and you’ll have amazing views of the mountains and the stream along the way.
• The falls are breathtaking. Donut Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls I’ve ever seen. It’s definitely worth the hike to see it.
• The hike is challenging but doable. The trail is well-maintained‚ but there are some steep sections. I would recommend wearing good hiking shoes and bringing plenty of water.
• It’s a great place to escape the crowds. Donut Falls is a popular hike‚ but it’s not as crowded as some of the other hikes in Big Cottonwood Canyon. I was able to enjoy the hike and the falls without feeling like I was surrounded by people.

Overall‚ I had an amazing experience hiking to Donut Falls. It’s a beautiful and challenging hike that I would highly recommend to anyone who is looking for a great hike in Big Cottonwood Canyon.