A smile crossed my face last week when I read that the Guardsman gate was open. Now, for the next five months, Park City is easily connected to one of Mother Nature’s greatest wonders: Big Cottonwood Canyon. Crossing over Empire Pass, we gazed out over Bonanza Park, our eyes moving up to Clayton Peak and eyeing the saddle of Guardsman.
It was a slow day at the pass, so we stopped for a few minutes, sharing water with a cyclist who had ridden up from Cottonwood Heights. Heading down into Big Cottonwood, we passed through stick-figure aspens, not yet showing their green spring buds.
I do love waterfalls. And spring is the time! Despite spending nearly four decades in the Wasatch, somehow, I can still ferret out some new destinations each spring. Today, we were headed to the Moss Ledge Waterfall.
Granddaughter Naomi and I walked briskly up the well-worn path in a deep forest with an eclectic collection of water birch, sycamore, red oak, and pinyon pine. The first part of the trail crosses through an old picnic area, complete with a giant rock where you could put out a nice spread.
The footpath soon merged into Elbow Fork, a stream that starts nearly 4,000 feet up on the flanks of Mount Raymond, coursing its way for nearly eight miles to Big Cottonwood.
Naomi and I gingerly hopscotched on dry stones to reach the base of the falls. From there, we used our best bouldering skills to reach a slightly higher plateau. It was a first-time experience for Naomi, who carefully thought through her finger holds and foot placements to scale up the rock.
We both watched as a young woman nimbly scrambled upward along the rocks in the stream, soon going out of sight. Naomi and I looked at each other. We liked where we were and decided to stay. It was one thing to think about how we might scale the waterfall, but it was quite another to think about how we would get back down!
From our slickrock perch, we took a break and just stared at the water as it cascaded down the narrow canyon. At the base was a slick bed of bright green moss embedded onto the stone. The orange and brown of the rocks on the waterfall came to life as sunlight popped in and out of the clouds. The sound of rush water permeated the air, punctuated by the occasional high-pitched motorcycle road from the canyon road below.
It’s ironic how the deafening sound of a waterfall can be so peaceful.
Back in the car, Naomi related the exhilaration of her first bouldering experience and the thought process as we scaled the rocks. Meanwhile, I’m pondering why I didn’t take the personal challenge to climb higher. There’s always next time!
But it was a great way to actually be a part of Mother Nature.
DETAILS
Getting There: Head up State Route 224 to Empire Pass, through Bonanza Flat, and continue up and over Guardsman Pass into Big Cottonwood Canyon. Drive down the canyon to milepost 7. The trailhead is exactly at the marker.
Map: Moss Ledge Waterfall exists in Google Maps as a place name. No map is needed for the hike. The stream will be your guide.
Trail: The main trail is 50 feet up the canyon from mile marker 7. Just walk up the path and follow the stream. It is a simple, easy walk up to the base of the falls — around 100 yards. From there, you can scramble up the rocks — gauge by your comfort and experience level. It is a difficult scramble! If you do decide to scramble up, you will ultimately reach the bigger falls (not visible from the base), and a small cave. But do use caution.
Dining: The forest below the base of the falls is a great picnic spot. Or you can hit Silver Fork Lodge or the Brighton Store on your way back to Park City.
When to Go?: Now is a great time. But do watch snowmelt and stream flow.