DAVIS COUNTY

10

Farmington Creek Trail 11.1 (Sunset Trail)

A 30-foot waterfall near the top, open views of the canyon, tumbled and shot-up early-twentieth-century cars hidden in the trees, a cave, and the wonder of Farmington Creek are the interesting highlights of this easy-access trail located just up Farmington Canyon. The trail begins in a gravel parking lot at the point where the road up Farmington Canyon changes from paved to gravel. ATVs frequent the upper road, but no motorized vehicles are allowed on this lower trail, which cuts quietly up the canyon paralleling Farmington Creek up to Sunset Campground, a primitive forest service campground. The views across the canyon, down to the creek, and out to the Great Salt Lake add to the flavor of the family-friendly trail.

Start: Gravel parking area off Farmington Canyon Road

Distance: 3.8 miles out and back

Hiking time: About 2.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: 1,110 feet

Trail surface: Dirt and rock path

Best season: Spring, fall, and winter. (The trail has complete southern exposure and gets very hot during the summer.)

Other trail users: Bikers, horses

Canine compatibility: Dogs permitted

Land status: Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Nearest town: Farmington

Fees and permits: No fees or permits required

Maps: USGS Bountiful Peak, Peterson; guide to Farmington Trails available for purchase at 160 South Main St., Farmington

Trail contacts: Farmington Trails Committee; trail representative Scott Ogilvie, Farmington City; (801) 451-2383 Salt Lake Ranger District, 6944 South 3000 East, Salt Lake City 84121; (801) 236-3400

Special considerations: No ATVs or other motorized vehicles allowed on the trail

Finding the trailhead: From Salt Lake City head north on I-15 to exit 322. Follow the right fork off the exit ramp. At the first stop sign turn right onto State Street. Follow State Street for 2 blocks to 100 East and take a left. Follow 100 East for 2.3 miles into Farmington Canyon. The gravel parking lot is located up Farmington Canyon, on the right at the hairpin turn where the road changes from paved to gravel. Two trails leave the north side of the lot; both are the same trail. GPS: N41 00.026' / W111 59.978'

The Hike

There are big plans for the Farmington Creek Trail. The Farmington Trails Committee plans that this trail eventually will run from Sunset Campground down to the Great Salt Lake, but for now each section, both finished and planned, has a number. Section 11.1 is the top section of the trail that runs from Sunset Campground to the gravel parking area along Farmington Canyon Road. Managed by the US Forest Service, this trail is not always pristine; for example, the fun cave in the first section of the trail is covered in graffiti, and farther upcanyon people have been known to throw old tires and even cars off the canyon road above. The cars found below are early-twentieth-century models. Everyone can help keep the trail clean by carrying out a little more than you carry in.

Aside from the oddities of the trail, there are beautiful little waterfalls, open views across the canyon, a peaceful path, and a fun waterfall just before you reach the campground. This tributary canyon is a beautiful, peaceful route that climbs deeper into Farmington Canyon, away from motorized vehicles, allowing hikers to enjoy Farmington Creek and the side springs and creeks that tumble down the canyon.

The trail begins by climbing out of the gravel parking area on the north side. Two different trails have been worn into the dirt, but each hooks into the same trail. Three hundred feet up the trail, rimmed with Gambel oak, the graffiti-scarred cave sits off to the north. Many a campfire has stained the walls black, and it is large enough for a group to enjoy—worth a quick look. The trail travels above Farmington Creek, occasionally swooping near a tributary creek or spring. The trail runs high on the north side of the canyon, facing south with clear views across the canyon and down to the creek. Take plenty of water on hotter days, as the open south-facing component of the trail keeps it warm. The sound of the creek is refreshing as you hike, and if you bring a filter, you can purify water from the springs.

Waterfall at the top of Farmington Creek Ryan Gardiner

At 0.9 mile the trail enters aspen trees and passes next to a shaded alcove with boulders for sitting, right off the trail to the left. The first stream crossing is just past this area; a waterfall cascades down, feeding into the stream that hurries down the mountain into Farmington Creek below. The trail crosses and then climbs quickly away from the creek. During spring, when winter runoff is high, the sound of Farmington Creek can be heard all along the trail.

At 1.3 miles the old burned-out car sits off to the right (south) side of the trail. If you don’t watch for it, you might walk right by it. A stream appears quickly at 1.5 miles for another easy crossing. Follow the trail to the right.

The largest waterfall is located just past this point, down off the trail to the right. There is a rock outcropping vantage point for viewing the falls, but some venture down the steep slope to examine the falls close up. Views downcanyon to the valley and Great Salt Lake are visible from here as well.

The trail continues east, and 250 feet later the trail forks. Head left to Sunset Campground, where the trail climbs 240 feet up to the west side of the campground. A wooden trail sign at the campground marks this end of the trail. If you did not leave a shuttle car at the campground, head back the way you came. You can also opt to leave a car at the parking area and hike this trail from the top down.

The California gull is Utah’s state bird. It won this honor because huge flocks of the birds flew to the rescue of Mormon pioneers by eating a plague of crickets that attacked their crops shortly after they arrived in the Salt Lake Valley.

Miles and Directions

0.0Start from the gravel parking lot in Farmington Canyon.

0.06In about 300 feet come to a medium-size cave on the north side of the trail.

0.9Come to your first stream crossing and waterfall.

1.3Look for the burned-out car on the south side of the trail.

1.5The trail crosses the stream and forks; head right.

1.6Come to the waterfall down off the south side of the trail.

1.7The trail forks to Sunset Campground.

1.9Arrive at Sunset Campground. Return the way you came. (Option: Leave a shuttle car at Sunset Campground for a point-to-point hike. The campground is located 3.7 miles from the parking area, farther up Farmington Canyon on the dirt road.)

3.8Arrive back at the parking area.

Hike Information:

Camping: Sunset Campground, Skyline Drive Scenic Backway, Farmington 84025; (801) 466-6411. Sixteen sites available for tent and RV camping. Located on Farmington Canyon’s scenic road, this campsite is nestled in the pines, which provide privacy. Vault toilets. No reservations required. Open June 1 through Sept 15. There is a fee to camp.