Everywhere I look these days, it seems that people are posting pictures of amazing fall colors. We…read moredo live in a beautiful state and it's appropriate for us to step outside, take a look around and appreciate when nature shows off. I joined a group of hikers and hit the trails this past week, in search of some great fall colors. Bell Canyon did not disappoint. There is plenty of parking at the trailhead, including clean bathrooms. The first part of the trail is pretty rocky and has a decent elevation gain-poles are helpful, but at the least, have good shoes with some traction. Once you get to the reservoir, it's pretty flat and there are lots of places you can get amazing pictures. Be sure to take some time down by the water-it's so calming and just beautiful. There were some detour signs on the trail, so we didn't get the full experience (not sure why it was closed, but we tried to follow signs until they suddenly stopped. So we turned around and came the way we went.) Overall, it's a beautiful hike and I'd love to come try it again when the trail is open.

We started at the entrance on Wasatch Blvd near the residential area; and then, ended up at the…read morewaterfall. It took us about 4 hours to hike approx. 6 miles with short breaks in between for water. It's a mixer of flat, incline, rocky, slippery (snow still out towards end of hike), upward steps, and mini bridges to cross over small water streams. There are surrounding plants and trees, but most are barely blooming. Didn't see any wildlife animals, but saw a few squirrels crossing our paths lol. The hike itself wasn't too hard. I'd rate it intermediate. It was only challenging because the paths towards the end were slippery due to snow still out and melting. It was fun with some close calls. Luckily I found a stick on the way to use. We passed by the lake at the beginning of the hike, which was nice. Once we reached the waterfall, we took a refreshing break; snacked a bit; embraced the beautiful nature; and then, headed back where we started. It was harder to hike down the slippery snow than it was to hike to the waterfall. I'd come back to hike this place during fall to see the vibrant color of the trees.

I love taking friends from out of town on this hike! It's long enough that you feel like you did…read moresomething active, but not too far or too difficult that your friends never trust you to pick a trail again. The trail can be crowded at certain times of the day/year and it can seem confusing because of lack of signage/multiple spur trails but you really can't get lost if you keep heading towards the mountains. This trail is dog friendly! And the dog owners are very respectful and responsible. Which makes this trail even more fun to try!

Trivia: What university originally established in 1850 as the University of Deseret and used in the…read more2002 Winter Olympics sits rather close to the base of this trail? Finding the actual trail can be a little bit of a challenge. From the road where everyone seems to park, we started on a shaded, tree-lined trail that looked promising. But after a short jaunt, we arrived in a dusty, tree free area with trails going in lots of directions. The group in front of us took off like they knew where they were going, but I wasn't fooled by their confidence. Yay Me! But BOOO on the existence of trail markings. I reviewed the map and pointed my hiking companion and I to the trail I thought was most closely aligned with GOOGLE maps and AllTrails. Service was a little spotty. Luckily, it all worked out! The trail is a solid 1000-1200 feet of elevation over a mile which is a solid click of UP. Bring water as shade is rare and the trees are really more shrubs and bush size. The living room area is superb, but depending on the time of day, VERY congested. The seats will feel like the best chair you've ever parked your tired rump, and you will begrudgingly give them up when the crowds form around you.

Every time I visit South Jordan, a few visits to Oquirrh Lake are an absolute must! The Daybreak…read morecommunity is so beautiful, with homes along either side of the lake. Today we walked around the entire lake, a nice 3.2 mile walk before dinner, and another 2 miles after dinner. There are always so many ducks and geese, and somehow there seemed to be even more today! I wonder if the geese migrated away from Canada for the winter and made their home here??...

We love the park it's beautiful! There are times it's a bit extreme with the kids and their sand…read morebuckets plus the buckets of water they poor in the sand. I'm not a party pooper but there are times where I'd like my kids to stay clean. Parents need to be more mindful and at least keep the sand clean.

Very easy short paved trail. Small children, stroller and even wheelchairs can use this path. Just…read morewatch out for bikers.

Great little spot for a quick nature fix at the base little cottonwood…read more It's a watershed and sometimes the river is flowing and sometimes it's not. I haven't figured out yet the pattern so it's kind of a crapshoot. Thera are several big rocks to climb and lay on. One in the middle of the river when it's low that makes you feel like a little mermaid. Good place to get grounded and reset. Watch the sunset. It can be a little crowded at times. The trail is paved and there are families that like to come here for pictures.

This waterfall is only about 150 feet off Highway 190. There is plenty of parking across the…read morestreet. The trail is relatively easy but plenty of roots and rocks. You only need to walk for about five minutes to enjoy the falls. You will know when you are getting close as thee is an old mine shaft next to the falls. It is spooky and open for anyone brave enough to go in. Lots of hiking at trailhead nearby, but if only up for a quick walk, this is the spot.

No longer off leash. $200 per dog off leash. A terrible disappointment for my dog who loved it…read morehere. We can no longer take him there as he doesn't understand why he can't run free through the trees anymore. Heartbreaking.

I love finding a little corner of nature right in the middle of a neighborhood-and Little…read moreConfluence is a shining example of that. Just off the road, you'll find a parking lot and a clearly marked trail. I met a friend here and we walked the loop pretty quickly and were not ready to finish our walk. As we started into it again, we noticed a "less taken" path and opted to see where it took us. It was like the entering a whole new dimension of nature. We were surrounded by tall grasses and thick trees and there was a river along the path. It was absolutely beautiful. There are some areas where you can only walk single file because the path narrows, but much of it is wide enough to accommodate side by side trail walkers. It's also dog friendly and I was so happy to see lots of pups along the way. Don't underestimate this one. It's a beautiful trail once you get off the main loop.

Donut Falls is a very special place to me, and it's accessibility makes it a great family-friendly…read morehike. You can choose to scale the slick rocks to the top of the waterfall if you're feeling bold, just be super cautious and be sure you're experienced and wearing proper gear. Even if you choose not to, you'll still be rewarded with incredible views!

First time in Utah, and this was our very first stop. It's a bit of a drive followed by a 1.5-mile…read morehike, but it's well worth it. The road to the trailhead is bumpy, so take it slow. The parking lot is small, though there's some overflow parking along the road. Bathroom facilities are available, so be sure to use them if needed. About halfway to the falls, you'll pick up a small stream, which makes the hike even nicer. Most of the trail is shaded by trees, which helped keep us cool. Once you reach the falls, it can get a bit congested with people. The views from the bottom are beautiful, but the real spectacle is the "donut" itself -- I've seen the photos, and it looks incredible. There are signs asking people not to climb up, but the allure of the falls seemed too strong for some, and a few went to the top anyway. One thing to be aware of: there were a couple of areas with ground bees swarming, so stay alert and watch your step. A beautiful spot -- absolutely worth the time and effort.

This review is for Cecret Lake from Albion Base which was a ~4.5 miles round trip that took ~2.5…read morehours to complete. Trail starts from a ski resort which means it would be difficult or inaccessible during the winter! Extremely diverse terrain; stunning views from beginning to end. The last stretch up to the lake was steep and rocky! AllTrails map recommended. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/zkHFyRgwxMQ

We have hiked Cecret Lake many times and enjoyed this spectacular hike at Alta Ski Area. It's…read moreespecially outstanding in the summer when the wildflowers are peaking in colorful arrays. Our boys love climbing the many large rocks on the way to Cecret Lake, and we also enjoy traversing around the lake. If you're more adventurous, you can hike up to Sugarloaf Lift and check out the ski runs.