Takes at least 2-3 hours. Maybe more if you enjoy the journey.
Hike gets steep up at the end, and then it is steep down to get close to waterfall. Take it slow if you are going to get closer to the waterfall. Take Hiking Sticks so you can have a 4 point system to make sure each step is stable, and use trees to hold on to if necessary. Watch for the large switch back that heads west. That is the easiest way down.
Wear waterproof shoes. I love my Hoka One One Hiking Boots!
About 5 miles round trip.
About 1500 feet elevation gain
It can get hot, so go early or later, and take plenty of water.
I have posted about this waterfall in the winter, (Link to Post of Bells Canyon Waterfall in WINTER - L Bell Canyon Waterfall in Winter)
- for it is a very enjoyable winter hike IF you have poles and spikes for your shoes (otherwise it does not look fun), but I was curious about this waterfall in the Spring. I am so glad I took the opportunity to hike this waterfall with the high Spring run off this year. It was amazing! The waterfall was running so hard that it took seconds to be wet and covered in mist from the falls. It is a little tricky to get out to the falls, and most stop at the top. At the top there are many trees in the way, and you can only barely see the top waterfall. It you have POLES, and you take it slow, there are safe routes down to the bottom of the waterfall. Of course I would not take little kids down to it, but there are many trees to hold on to and safe spots to make it down, just be smart and don't try and go straight down. There is a large switch back that if you watch for it makes a very safe path down to the base. I saw many families taking little ones up there, and not sure you could get down by the waterfalls with little ones, but well worth the hike to get up there.
UPPER SECTION OF BELLS CANYON WATERFALL
Upper Section of Bells Canyon Waterfall
2D Video at the Top of Bells Canyon Waterfall
Me in front of the Top Section of Bells Canyon Waterfall
360 Google Earth Street View Trail at Lower Waterfall
Lower Section of Bells Canyon Waterfall
2D Video at the Lower Section of Bells Canyon Waterfall
Lower Section of Bells Canyon Waterfall
DRONE VIDEO OF BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BELLS CANYON WATERFALL
Lower Section of Bells Canyon Waterfall
DIRECTIONS TO GET TO THE TRAILHEAD
There are actually 2 parking areas with trailheads to Bells Canyon waterfall. The one I always use is at the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon. As soon as you go through the light to head up the canyon it is on the right hand side. If this lot is full, if you turn around and head west out of little cottonwood canyon and turn left at the light, there is a lot on the east side of the road about 0.5 mile down. It heads up on the left side of the parking area up some stairs, through a neighborhood, and ends up of the west side of the Reservoir to meet up with the other trail.
BEAUTIFUL GRANITE CLIFFS JUST NORTH OF TRAIL AND WATERFALL
Granite Cliffs North of Bells Canyon Waterfall and Trail
INSPIRATION MESSAGE
Quaky Aspens usually grow straight, but this tree has had some many obstacles in its way that it has had to twist and turn to find the light in its life. It gave it quite the character. May we be like this tree that didn't give up. It kept searching for spots where it could get access to the light even though there were things in its path that kept trying so hard to block him from having access to the light of the Son/Sun. It conquered, kept pushing to grow tall, and ended up having more character than others in the end.
Quaky Aspen Tree that didn't give up and kept fighting to find access to the light.
FUN FLOWERS ALONG THE TRAIL - Lupins, Arrowleaf Balsamroot, Twining Snakelily. Sweet Peas. See if you can find them all. I love to try and figure out a name for a flower and then take pictures of the flowers and then use the app Plantnet to see if I am close and identify what it is. Makes for a fun challenge on a hike.
Twining Snakelily
Arrowleaf Balsamroot
BELLS CANYON STREAM is more like a River then a Stream this year - June 2019-
Bells Canyon Stream in June 2019
Link to 360 Video of Bells Canyon Stream on the way up.
360 Google Earth Street View Trail at Bells Canyon Stream and Trail
Bells Canyon Stream in June 2019
2D Video at of Bells Canyon Stream
Bells Canyon Reservoir
Between 0.5-1 mile there is a view of a lake from the trail. In the spring it is quite beautiful, and the reflections in the lake are so fun. You can fish here, but I believe it is only catch and release.
View of Reservoir from the trail.
360 Sphere Image at Bells Canyon Reservoir
Bells Canyon Reservoir
Soon after the Reservoir, you want to watch for the sign to turn left to head up the the waterfall.
Sign for Turn off to get to Bells Canyon Waterfall
__________________________________
If you want to see more 360 images here, there are many. Click on the Google Earth Link, then the little dude in the bottom corner, and then any blue dot where you want to see more.
Here is a Google List Link, and an Interactive Map so if you choose to hike this waterfall but want another hikes to pair it with, you can find another hike or waterfall to enjoy with this one.
If you have enjoyed this post, please consider my sponsor links. Even a click can help more adventures come your way. The Clif Bar Coconut Chocolate Chip bars are my new favorite item in my backpack!
