Kays Creek Parkway

"Come on mom, stop taking
pictures and let's go!"

Location: Layton, Utah

For: Bikers, walkers, skaters.

Length: Layton City website claims 4.5 miles of paved trails, my walk from 2500 North to the reservoir was 3.5 miles, and it was not all paved

Water along trail: wetlands, slow moving stream, and reservoir

Reservoir from trail on the dam

Difficulty (1-5 scale with 1 being easy, 5 being difficult): 1- flat paved path with some short steep parts

Dog Friendliness: dogs must be leashed, poop bags are available, some beach areas good for dogs swimming

Trailhead: I parked on the street at the start of the trail off 2500 North.  The designated parking area is at the end of 2125 E.  

Pros:  Pretty area, paved path, and set up with educational plaques along the way.  Good trail for families.

Cons: In April 2012 the trail around the reservoir was under construction, the parkway runs through 2 neighborhoods, so you feel like you are in suburbia.

Tips:  Bring binoculars to watch birds, some nice areas to picnic and wade around the reservoir.  Also fishing is allowed around the reservoir, so bring shoes you can wade in to avoid fishhooks.

Dirt path around reservoir

South side of the reservoir

How to follow the trail:  Followed the paved path.  If you start from 2500 North, walk east towards the mountains.  Follow the trail either direction at the first split- they meet back up.  At the next split in the trail going to the left (north) will take you to the north side of the reservoir, going right will take you to the south side of the reservoir.  There is a break in the chain link fence with a bar you have to step over, and then you are on the dirt path that goes partially around the reservoir.  If you start from 2125 E, the reservoir is to the east and you will only encounter one split in the path before you get to the reservoir.

Ogden Nature Center North

Forest at Nature Center North

Location: North Ogden, Utah

Length: Trails in the Nature Center are about 1.5 miles if you do all of them, but there is also access to the Powerline Trail (approx 2.5 miles) and Bonneville Shoreline Trail (280 miles).

Water along trail: yes, in both streams and wetlands

Difficulty (1-5 scale with 1 being easy, 5 being difficult): 1 inside the nature center, the Bonneville Shoreline and Powerline Trail are a 2-3 (it was muddy when I went, and definitely a 3).

Dog Friendliness: This is a nature preserve, and so dogs should not be allowed off leash.  If your dog does not like water, this is not the hike for you.  Part of the trail goes through wetlands and requires you to walk on logs to avoid getting wet.

Boulder field from Powerline
Trail at Nature Center

Wetlands

Trailhead: From I-15, get off at the 12^th St exit and go right (east, towards the mountains).  Turn left onto Harrison Blvd., and drive until you reach the Nature Center Parking lot on the right.  The address is 1176 N. Harrison Blvd.

Pros: This trail is so different from anything else I have ever seen in Utah, with access to wetlands, a meadow stream, and deep forest all within 23 acres.  This is a very peaceful and easy walk, with shade and water access.

Bridge over stream

Cons: Not a good place to let dogs off-leash because of the nature preserve and the park is right off a busy road. If there were more than a few people you would likely run into a lot of people because the area is so small.

Tips: This would be a great place to take kids to learn about nature.  It does require the ability to walk over narrow platforms to cross wetlands.  If you are looking for access to Bonneville Shoreline Trail, this is a nice, paved trailhead with fairly easy access.

How to follow the trail: It is pretty easy to figure out, the Nature Center has a great map to use to find your way around.  This can be accessed online at http://www.ogdennaturecenter.org/facilities/ogden-nature-center-north.  

9th Street Trail

Sunset from the Bonneville Shoreline Trail

Location: North Ogden, Utah 

For: Runners, bikers, hikers, dog-walkers, and rock climbers

Length: Essentially endless- connects to Bonneville Shoreline Trail, which is 280 miles.

Water along trail: Not accesable, although the trail takes you above the Ogden Canyon Waterfall.

Difficulty (1-5 scale with 1 being easy, 5 being difficult): 2-3, there are several routes, some of which can be very steep at the beginning, but the trails are all eventually fairly flat.

The wide dirt path from 9th Street

Dog Friendliness: Good.  Lots of bikers on the trail, but the limited trees and relative flatness allows for visibility so you can see when people are coming, so dogs can be re-leashed.  I have seen a lot of rattlesnakes on this trail, so be careful about your dogs running through the brush.

Trailhead: From I-15 take the 12^th St exit.  Turn east (towards the mountains) onto 12^th St.  Turn left (north) onto Harrison Blvd, then turn right (east) onto 9^th St.  Drive to the end of the street and park in the dirt area by the gate.

Pros: Good visibility, a particularly good dog-walking trail.  Lots of easily accessible trails from the trailhead, including a wide, flat trail that goes south towards the waterfall in Ogden Canyon, and access to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. 

Limited shade, but beautiful anyways

Cons: Limited shade and no water.  Can be very busy, particularly the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.

Tips: Go in the early morning or late afternoon when it is less crowded and not so hot.  There is also parking at the mouth of Ogden Canyon, but I have never gone that way.

How to follow the trail: Walk east past the gate onto the black top path.  If you want a fairly short, easy hike follow the trail south.  The blacktop ends, but the trail turns into a wide dirt path.  The trail goes south, but eventually hugs the mountain.  At the start of Ogden Canyon the trail turns east and goes up some stairs.  Be careful on the stairs, but if you go to the top of them the trail continues for quite awhile along the water pipes, and you can see the top of the Ogden Canyon Waterfall.  If you want a more difficult trail, follow the directions above, but when you get close to the mouth of Ogden Canyon, keep your eyes open for the trail that goes to the left.  This is the Bonneville Shoreline trail and  you can hike for miles on it.

North Taylor Canyon Trail

The stream at the top of the trail

Woodland Stream just
off the Taylor Canyon Trail

Location: Ogden, Utah

Good for: hikers, runners, backpackers, dog walkers, and very skilled bicyclists

Length: In and out 4 miles

Water along trail: stream and sometimes waterfalls along last ¾ mile of trail in canyon.  Shallow, minimal drowning risk.

Difficulty (1-5 scale with 1 being easy, 5 being difficult): 4, few flat areas, some areas very steep, some loose rock and boulders.

Dog Friendliness: minimal traffic, good area to let dogs off leash if they are under control by voice.  Leash laws are not enforced.

The Pond- a fun place for wading

Trailhead: 29^th Street Trailhead.  From I-15 get off on 31st Street.  Go east (towards the mountains).  Turn left onto Washington Blvd.  Turn right onto 30th St.  Drive until there is a building in front of you and the road is a T.  Turn left and then take your next right onto 29th St.  Drive to the end of the street and turn right into the parking lot. You are now at the 29th St Trailhead.

Pros: If you take Taylor Canyon North Trail you pass by The Pond, which is a neat little man made pond- fun for dogs and kids to wade in.  The north side is shaded.  It is a difficult trail, but doesn’t make me feel like I am dying.  Trail is very quiet and has minimal traffic most days. 

Cons: The stream does not run along the whole trail.  It can be difficult when passing as the trail is narrow in some areas.  The lower part of the trail until you get to The Pond is typical Utah foothills scrub oak and sage- not everyone feels it is very scenic.

Mossy waterfall that is near the diversion

The waterfall that is off
Malan Basin Trail above
North Taylor Canyon Trail

Tips: A fun diversion can be found by crossing the stream just after the moss covered boulders on the other side of the stream.  Sometimes there is a waterfall over the boulders.  Also there are light blue rocks or glass in the stream in this area.  Cross the stream and walk up the hill.  At this point going to the right (west) will take you to a primitive camp spot.  If you follow the stream to the left (east), you will find a waterfall and a very steep hike up the hill.  At the top of the hill is the Malan Basin Trail.  Going to the left (east) will loop back to the Taylor Canyon North Trail. Also, if you wanted to camp overnight there are some firepits built and some fairly flat areas.  Pack it in, pack it out please.

How to follow the trail: From the 29th St trailhead walk up the trail towards Waterfall Canyon.  When you reach the flat, wide sandy path go left.  Follow the signs to Taylor Canyon or scenic route to Waterfall Canyon.  You can take either Taylor Canyon North or Taylor Canyon South- they meet up at a bridge.  Personally, I prefer Taylor Canyon North because it is prettier and shadier.  Follow the trail up the canyon.

Top of the waterfall from the Malan Basin Trail