Donut Falls (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Stats

Length:	1.50 miles
Difficulty:	Kid Friendly
Estimated Hike Time:	1 Hour
Trail Type:	Out and Back
Elevation Low:	5,434 feet
Elevation High:	5,763 feet
Total Elevation Gain:	329 feet
Optimal Season:	Early Spring to Late Summer
Best Access Point:	Salt Lake City

Summary

People of all ages will love to see the unique falls and play in the grotto. This is a great spot for pictures too!

Hike Images

Overview

Donut Falls Trail is a relatively short day hike following a creek (Mill D South Fork) through a forest of cottonwood, pine, and aspen leading to a fun waterfall. This hike provides a good atmosphere for children to get a taste for Alpine hiking and even gives them a chance to splash around in the creek and play in the waterfall. For adults especially, the donut-like cave formation of the waterfall is a spectacular site - one that you won't want to miss.

Directions

gps coordinates of trailhead:

40.629722, -111.654722

Trail Information

The crowds are so great that the trailhead parking lot is frequently full to capacity, so sometimes a hike from your parking spot on the dirt road to the trailhead is warranted. Even so, this is still a relatively gentle hike with very few undulations along the way. From the trailhead, Donut Falls is a pretty straight shot through the canyon. There are some side trails which branch off the main trail, but the main trail is well marked with signs, as the one shown in the picture below. As you approach the falls themselves, the trail widens and forks - both ways look equally well-maintained. You'll want to take the left fork, as the right fork usually has some sort of rock or tree blocking the way.

Right before you arrive at the waterfall, there is one fairly tricky part of the trail for children or seniors which requires you to climb down a 10-foot or so rock face. Care should be taken if your shoes are wet because they have a propensity to be slippery, but it's shouldn't be too much of a problem with dry shoes. The waterfall itself is easily distinguished because it looks like a rockslide blocked the flow of water some time ago. It does, however, provide the means by which you can climb up the waterfall and experience the donut-like rock formation. The climb up the waterfall can be difficult because the grip on many of the rocks has been worn away by countless hikers, in addition to the fact that your shoes will be wet and slippery. This climb requires some moderate scrambling, so care should be taken when attempting this part of the hike. The donut itself is totally worth the slightly more difficult climb. You'll see what I mean when you get there.

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Posted By: James Meyer

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