Length: 23 Miles

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Heading north from
Beus Drive Trailhead

Looking south across
Ogden Canyon

Ogden Canyon
Overlook

Switchbacks south of
Ogden Canyon

Technical
section

Trail Description

Pleasant View Trailhead
(5 miles – dirt)

Follow the path under the powerlines. You can’t get lost; just keep the power lines over your head. When you get to Tower 45, veer left off the power line road onto a single-track trail. Half a mile on this trail will take you to the trailhead on the North Ogden Divide Rd.

North Ogden Divide Trailhead
(1.3 miles – dirt)

At the crosswalk, go across the highway to the other half of the trailhead, then descend on the single-track trail, following the switchbacks marked by the trail signs. Continue south on a dirt road to its junction with the wide dirt road that goes up North Ogden Canyon (the Pioneer Trail). Turn right and follow the road all the way down to the Pioneer Trailhead (2750 N. Mountain Rd.).

Pioneer Trailhead
(3 miles – paved)

Because a private landowner has closed off access to the road that goes up Coldwater Canyon, it is necessary to follow a detour along Mountain Road to the next trailhead, located at the Nature Center North (1180 N. Mountain Rd.). Alternatively you can turn left at 2450 N and go up to the canal road, following the canal until you see signs for the BST. However, the canal company discourages walking or biking along the open canal because of liability issues.

Ogden Nature Center North Trailhead
(1 mile – dirt)

Climb to the top of the switchbacks and continue south under the power lines, or for an interesting side trip, turn north on the Tunnel Mountain section of the BST. This section was built through some of the rockiest terrain on the entire Wasatch Front and required the construction of several stone retaining walls just to provide room for a trail tread on the steep slope. It is now a good hiking trail, and work continues to make it passable to mountain bikes. Half a mile north, the trail connects with the canal road, then continues upward and northward for another 0.6 miles before it dead-ends at One Horse Canyon.

Otherwise, heading south from the top of the switchbacks, follow the trail, built through a boulder field and winding in and out (and often over) the boulders. The trail intersects with the canal road north of Jumpoff Canyon and continues to climb as it heads south. Then an access trail heads back down to the canal again. Although many people continue to walk and bike along the canal road, the official BST will eventually be relocated higher on the mountain.

Jumpoff Canyon Trailhead
(0.8 miles – dirt)

Continue south along the canal to a reservoir. (The official trail between Jumpoff Canyon and Rainbow Gardens has now been laid out to avoid the canal road completely, except at a couple of intersections. It is currently under construction.)

Douglas St. Trailhead
(0.75 miles – dirt)

At the reservoir you must detour off of the canal for 1/2 mile because the canal is fenced where it cuts through a rock band. Descend from the canal on a road in between the fenced reservoir and a fenced water tank, then immediately turn south and follow a dirt road behind the homes. At the fork in the road, take the route that climbs back up to the canal.

9th Street Trailhead
(0.4 miles – dirt)

Climb back up to the canal and follow it south, skirting along the east side of the fence water tank that straddles the canal road.

Hislop Drive Trailhead
(1.2 miles – dirt)

Continue to the end of the canal for a view of Ogden Canyon. Otherwise turn down onto the single track and descend to the highway. This section is narrow with an exposed drop to one side. Cross under the highway using the pedestrian underpass and pick up the trail again near the entrance of Rainbow Gardens. There is a painted crosswalk and sign. On a gravel trail, cross a field to the back corner of the Rainbow Gardens parking lot.

Rainbow Gardens Trailhead
(0.85 miles – dirt)

Take the left fork of the trail just past the map and follow it as it winds through the trees and steadily climbs the hill. There are some trails that go straight up and a road, but stay on the designated trail and the going is better. At the top of the hill the trail crosses a dirt road and continues to climb up toward the cliff band. This section is well-signed. Keep climbing and watch for the trail markers.

22nd St. Trailhead
(0.9 miles – dirt)

Head south between the cliffs and the power lines. The trail winds through boulders and bushes to Taylor Canyon.

Mount Ogden Park Trailhead
(2.2 miles – dirt)

Climb into Taylor Canyon and then south again. Stay high at the fork in the trail. Wind through the trees, around a rocky canyon and over to Waterfall Canyon. Continue south past Strong’s Canyon. As you exit the canyon, take the high single track at the fork. Take the low double track to exit at Beus Dr.

Beus Dr. Trailhead
(2.25 miles – dirt)

At the next fork stay high again and take the pair of switchbacks to get high above the homes. The next fork splits the trail for 1/2 mile but then comes back together. Take either route. The trail continues south and drops into Beus Canyon. It follows the stream out of the canyon to a small Forest Service parking lot.

Beus Canyon Trailhead
(4.3 miles – dirt)

Exit Beus Canyon to 1900 E, turn south along Ridgedale Dr., and follow it to where it turns into Bonneville Terrace Dr. Follow Bonneville Terrace Dr. to where it ends at Woodland Dr. Follow Woodland Dr. south to its intersection with Coombe Rd. Descend Coombe Rd. to US Highway 89. Go south on Highway 89 past I-84 and the Weber River and continue south on the shoulder of Highway 89.

I-84 Trailhead
(4.5 miles – paved and dirt)

Continue south on US Highway 89 to Valley View Dr. Go north on Valley View Dr. and climb the curving road to the top of the housing development. At the top of the road head south and follow the dirt road through the trees. This road exits through a gate onto Snoqualmie Dr. Go south on Snoqualmie Dr. to Fernwood Park.

Access

Pleasant View Trailhead

From I-15

North Ogden Divide Trailhead

From I-15 take the exit near the Associated Foods Distribution Center and follow 2700 N to 1050 E in North Ogden. Turn left onto 1050 E and then right onto 3100 N. Stay on 3100 N until the end of the homes, then pull off and park on a dirt road just past the last homes on the left side.

Pioneer Trailhead

Ogden Nature Center Trailhead

From I-15 take the 12th St. exit and follow 12th St. east to Washington Blvd. Go north on Washington Blvd. to 1100 N. Take 1100 N east to Mountain Rd. Go north on Mountain Rd. for one block and then turn left into a parking lot.

Harrison Blvd. Trailhead

From I-15 take the 12th St. exit and follow 12th St. east to Washington Blvd. Go north on Washington Blvd to 1100 N. Take 1100 N east to Mountain Rd. Go south and Mountain Rd. becomes Harrison Blvd. In 0.75 miles pull into a small parking lot on the left side of the road.

Douglas St. Trailhead

From I-15 take the 12th St. exit and follow 12th St. east to Harrison Blvd. Go north on Harrison to Douglas St. and follow Douglas St. east to the end of the road.

9th St. Trailhead

From I-15 take the 12th St. exit and follow 12th St. east to Harrison Blvd. Go north on Harrison to 9th St. and follow 9th St. east to the end of the road.

Hislop Dr. Trailhead

From I-15 take the 12th St. exit and follow 12th St. east to Harrison Blvd. Go north on Harrison to 9th St. and follow 9th St. east to Hislop Dr. Turn right on Hislop Dr. and follow the street to the end of the road.

Rainbow Gardens Trailhead

From I-15 take the 12th St. exit and follow 12th St. east toward Ogden Canyon. Just before entering the canyon turn right onto Valley Dr. and then left into the parking lot of Rainbow Gardens.

22nd St. Trailhead

From I-15 take the 12th St. exit and follow 12th St. east to Harrison Blvd. Turn right on Harrison to 22nd St. Follow 22nd St. east to the end of the road.

Mount Ogden Park Trailhead

From I-15 take the Hinckley Dr. exit and go east on 31st St. to Washington Blvd. Take a left on Washington and then right on 30th St. Follow 30th St. to Harrison Blvd. Turn left on Harrison and then right on 27th St. Follow 27th to the end and park at Mount Ogden Park.

Beus Dr. Trailhead

From I-15 take the Hinckley Dr. exit and go east on 31st St. to Washington Blvd. Take a left on Washington and then right on 30th St. Follow 30th St. to Harrison Blvd. Turn right on Harrison and then left on 36th St. Follow 36th as it turns onto Skyline Dr. At the Y, stay left on Skyline Dr. Turn left onto Country Hills Dr., right on Lakeview, and then left onto Beus Dr. Follow Beus Dr. to the end of the road.

Beus Canyon Trailhead

From I-15 take the Hinckley Dr. exit and go east on 31st St. to Washington Blvd. Take a left on Washington and then right on 30th St. Follow 30th St. to Harrison Blvd. Turn right on Harrison and then left on 4600 S and proceed east to 1900 E. Follow 1900 E one block to the Beus Canyon road and climb the road to a small parking area near the water tanks.

I-84 Trailhead

From I-15 take I-84 east and exit onto US Highway 89 south. Take the first exit off of 89 onto Cornia Dr. and park in the large park and ride lot on the west side of the highway.

Intersecting Trails

Pioneer Trail

Pioneer Trail climbs the west side of the North Ogden Divide and continues down into Ogden Valley on the east. Much of this trail follows the utility service road below the power lines and parallel to the North Ogden Pass Road. It climbs eastward from North Ogden, peaks at the North Ogden Divide, and then descends into Ogden Valley.

To start in North Ogden walking east: Go north on Mountain Rd. to 2750 N and park at the gate. Walk east, and then northeast, heading into the canyon.

To start in Ogden Valley walking west: In Liberty, drive south on 2900 E. After a mile from the 2900 E/North Ogden Pass Rd. intersection, the road turns east. At this point, look for a gate on the south side of the road. Start at North Ogden Divide, and head downhill in either direction! Climbing this trail will give you the feeling for the days when trappers called this “Lodge Pole Trail” and knew the North Ogden Divide as the main thoroughfare through the mountains. Back then, Ogden Canyon was virtually impassable.

Ogden River Parkway

This is a wide, paved trail that follows the Ogden River through the city of Ogden. The Ogden River Parkway has a smooth surface suitable for baby strollers or roller blades. This trail passes alongside grassy soccer fields, cultivated gardens, and picnic pavilions as well as Ogden City’s Dinosaur Park, swimming pool, skateboard park, and rodeo grounds. There are trailheads at 18th St. and Washington Blvd., at 1700 Monroe Blvd., at the east end of Park Blvd., and off Valley Dr.

Indian Trail

This is a moderate hike with dizzying cliffs, massive geological formations, and the cool shade of an evergreen forest. This popular trail follows a route once used by the Shoshone Tribe to avoid high water at the mouth of Ogden Canyon. From the 22nd St. Trailhead (elevation 4840 feet), follow the signs leading northeast through a network of paths. The trail climbs steeply, turning east into Ogden Canyon, then winding in and out of Warm Water Canyon until it reaches “Nevada Viewpoint” at 6100 feet, on the ridge between Warm Water Canyon and Cold Water Canyon. It then descends to meet Cold Water Canyon Trail, which you can follow downward (north) to the Cold Water Canyon Trailhead in Ogden Canyon.

The Indian Trail is not recommended for bicycles or horses because it is narrow and steep in some areas. The Indian Trail follows much of the old path that the Shoshone Tribe used to get over the rocky “narrows” near the mouth of Ogden Canyon and thereby avoid high water at the mouth of the Canyon.

Hidden Valley Trail

This trail is short, steep, and sometimes poorly defined. Start from the 22nd St. Trailhead and follow the Indian Trail for about 1/2 mile. Then, at an indistinct fork, turn sharply right and upward. (It is marked by the words “Hidden Valley” painted inconspicuously on a rock.) The trail dead-ends up in Hidden Valley. The views od the top of Taylor Canyon and of the north flank of Mt. Ogden are well worth your while. Beware of the numerous false paths just before you reach the fork to the correct one.

Taylor Canyon Trail

A good trail for a short, invigorating hike/ride into the mountains. Taylor Canyon’s well-maintained trail follows the north side of the creek for more than a mile, then crosses to the south and splits into multiple paths that gradually vanish in the brush. The most direct access to the Taylor Canyon Trail is from the top of 27th St. in Ogden. A better place to park, though, is the 29th St. Trailhead (top of 29th St. in Ogden). From there you can take the upper path to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, and follow it north until it enters Taylor Canyon. Taylor Canyon takes its name from John Taylor, the Mormon pioneer who built the lime kiln in the canyon’s mouth, and who also built the kiln at the Cold Water Canyon Trailhead.

Beus Canyon

The Beus Canyon Trail is probably the best choice for climbing Mt. Ogden from the west side. The trail makes its way up the bottom of the canyon before climbing the ridge to the south. Don’t be surprised when high on the ridge you find the trail petering out. The Forest Service and Weber State Recreational Center are working together to improve the trail here. In the meantime, follow the rock cairns that will mark the rest of your way to the top. Beus Canyon Trail is named for the Beus family, Italian immigrants who came as Mormon pioneers. They were the first to use the creek waters for their farm, and they actually got the receipt for their land from Brigham Young.

Burch Canyon

Although Burch Creek is a strong stream flowing down a major canyon, the trail that follows it is relatively undeveloped. This trail is very pleasant for a short distance, but farther up it becomes overgrown, and it is difficult to make headway. A good path along the south side of the creek takes you into the canyon, then crosses to the north side of the creek and continues upward. Soon the trail becomes rough and overgrown. The trail starts on Ridgedale Dr.e (2040 E) at about 5000 S. Burch Creek is named for Daniel Burch, another Mormon pioneer.