Adams Canyon Hike: Layton

Adams Canyon is one of Davis County's most popular hikes. It has a spacious parking area that is easily accessed right off U.S. 89. The trail begins in the northeast corner of the parking area. Yesterday I hiked Adams with the Davis County Meetup Group. A wonderful day to be out on the trail. I was reminded how important it is just to get out and sit next to a river, to tune back into nature. I kept wanting to stop and sit on a rock and do a little meditating, but the group was pressing forward and I didn't feel like I could. The hike took 1.5 hours to get to the falls. Its 2.5 miles up for a total day of 5 miles up and back. There were plenty of people on the trail, but there are places one feels much solitude. A couple campsites had warm fires from the night before.

The first .5 mile from the parking area is an uphill(gain between 400-500 ft) trudge over a sandy path. This is my least favorite part, especially on a hot day. But, once you arrive at the top of this foothill you have the view out across all of Davis County, the Great Salt Lake, and Farmington Bay. At the top of this foothill the trail intersects with the Bonneville Shoreline trail. The BST and Adams Canyon trail share the same path into the canyon where the BST then continues over a bridge and south, whereas the Adams Canyon trail heads east and into the canyon. Exposure to the sun declines and you enter the cover of trees while hiking next to Holms Creek and an array of small waterfalls that culminates at the end with a 40 foot waterfall that makes the hike worth every step. The trail is well defined with exception of a few spots where it appears to end and one must look closely for the trail that takes you up and over rock faces or across the rock face. This trail is fun because the terrain is a mix of scramble, wide-path hiking and river crossing. To get to the waterfall at the end you will need to cross the stream, so plan to get your shoes a little wet. Great picnic area, or just a wonderful place to rest and cool off. I love the way this path is deeply covered by the greenery and tree cover. I love hiking next to the creek, and I love having a destination-worthy waterfall at the end.

To get to the trailhead: From U.S. 89 turn east onto the frontage road at an unmarked road just north of Oakhills Drive (Traffic light). Once on the frontage road head south for approximately a half mile and you'll run right into the parking area.