Ghost Falls Trail

Ghost Falls Trail
Ghost Falls Loop, Clarks Ghost Loop

Ghost Falls is a great ride that's close to civilization. At a low altitude (4600 feet), the trail is usually clear to ride by late April. It starts in Draper at the Ballpark parking lot (you can also do this loop from the Clarks trailhead, or from the Bonneville Shoreline Mike Weir trailhead). The official Ghost Falls loop rides to the falls and back, 3.5 miles with an altitude gain of 750 feet. The climbing is fairly mellow except for one short stiff doubletrack section just before the falls loop. This ride would be intermediate technical, with a couple of upper-intermediate spots on the falls loop itself.

A great option is the Clarks Ghost Loop. Instead of heading straight for the falls, you head for Clarks Trail. After taking Clarks to Traverse Ridge, you head down the gravel Corner Canyon Road 1/2 mile to find the upper end of the Ghost Falls Trail. This is a fairly technical descent, but great fun. Altitude change by this route is 1200 feet, distance 6.6 miles.

The creek breaks into Ghost Falls on the eastern side of the loop.
All photos by Bruce Argyle.

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You can also do a loop by climbing the Canyon Hollow (Pipeline) Trail. But it's a nasty granny-gear climb, and you only save about 1/3 mile compared to riding the big loop via Clarks. Do this one if you're a climbing animal who thinks Clarks Trail is for mere mortals.

Most of the riding is in relatively cool maple and oak forest. There's not much opening for views on the classic Ghost Falls Loop. The Clarks Ghost route, or the Canyon Hollow Pipeline climb will take you up to long views over the Salt Lake valley.

View up the trail in Lower Corner Canyon.

On the classic loop, there are three trails that fork left off Canyon Hollow (the often-eroded straight trail) to reach the falls. Our ride description sends you up via the first, and back via the second. But any of them will get you there. So if you get lost, just keep riding and looking. If all else fails, you'll get to the top of Traverse Ridge and have the opportunity to ride down to the falls from above.

Watch yourself when you reach the falls! This short trail up to the falls is encased in poison ivy! Drop your bike and (unless you're wearing tights) find a sneaker route up to the falls, which is only about 70 feet away from the bridge.

There are multiple trails in the area that intersect and rejoin, as well as connectors to the Bonneville Shoreline and Clarks Trail. If you don't know the "lay of the land" and where you're generally going, it can be awfully confusing. And the trails are evolving and being reworked (2008). But it's all good. So if you're not prepared to have a little exploring adventure, go with somebody who's been there before, or download a GPS track and follow it. The new Canyon Hollow trail hooks in to Ghost Falls South.

Riding notes, Ghost Falls Loop:
0.0   Straight uphill on ST as it exits tunnel
0.4   Pass return ST on R, then join uphill ST
0.6   ST joins DT, continue uphill
0.9   Pass BST (on L), stay on main DT
1.0   Veer L on DT at fork
1.1   Keep straight past ST on R and L
1.5   Fork L onto meandering ST
1.8   L to falls (R=upper trail)
2.1   Keep R
2.5   Fork R and north
2.7   Fork L downhill
2.8   R and rejoin uphill path
3.8   Back at tunnel

Looking up from just below the falls, the main waterfall is hidden from us in the trees.

Riding Resources for this trail:
Single-page riding guides:
Standard loop or Clarks Ghost        Via Canyon Hollow Pipeline
See also:   Corner Canyon Winter Figure-8   Draper Race Loop   Canyon Hollow
GPS track files (right-click and "Save as...") Ghost Falls Loop:
   Garmin     GPX
GPS track files Clarks Ghost Loop:
   Garmin     GPX
GPS track files Draper Race Loop:
   Garmin   GPX
GPS Track files, entire Ghost Falls area:
   Garmin   GPX
Topo map (includes Ghost Falls, Pipeline, Clarks, BST, Jacobs Ladder): View

Derek and Mike climb away from the falls on the upper Ghost Falls trail, heading towards Jacobs Ladder. Photo September 25, 2008.

Riding notes, Clarks Ghost loop:
0.0   Straight uphill on ST as it exits tunnel
0.4   Pass return ST on R, then join uphill ST
0.6   ST joins DT, continue uphill
0.9   Pass BST (on L), stay on main DT
1.0   Veer R on DT at fork
1.2   Join Silica Pit trail, go R
1.2   Fork L on Clarks Trail
1.4   Fork L across bridge
2.8   Traverse Ridge, L on Corner Canyon Road

3.3   L into wide spot at corner in road
        Drop off into ST, N40 29.672 W111 49.025
4.0   Keep R, creek = falls
4.3   Keep R
4.7   R on wider path
4.9   L downhill
5.1   R, back on uphill path
        Retrace path to trailhead
6.0   Back at tunnel

Riding notes, Loop via Canyon Hollow Pipeline (brutal climb!):
0.0   Straight uphill on ST as it exits tunnel
0.4   Pass return ST on R, then join uphill ST
0.6   ST joins DT, continue uphill
0.9   Pass BST (on L), stay on main DT
1.0   Veer L on DT at fork
1.3   Gets steep
1.5   Straight (R) past ST return path
1.6   Straight (R) past 2nd return path option
1.7   Straight (R) past 3rd return from falls

2.5   Corner Canyon Road, go left
3.0   L into wide spot at corner in road (parking)
        Drop off into ST, N40 29.672 W111 49.025
3.7   Keep R, creek = falls
4.0   Keep R
4.4   R on wider path
4.6   L downhill
4.8   R, back on uphill path
        Retrace path to trailhead
5.7   Back at tunnel

Getting there (LCC trailhead): Take the Bluffdale exit from I-15 and turn east towards the mountains. Continue on Highland Drive until you reach the ballpark parking lot. Directly across the street from the parking, the Lower Corner Canyon trail heads uphill (GPS N 40° 30.351' W 111° 50.721'). To reach the trailhead from the north (Sandy area), take 13th East southward until it ends at the stop sign just past the underpass. Turn left and drive 1/4 mile.

Coyote Hollow trailhead: Take the Bluffdale exit from I-15 and turn east towards the mountains. Climb the hill as above, but turn right at the light on Traverse Mountain Road. After one mile, turn into Mike Weir Drive on your left. Pass the Mike Weir trailhead 1/2 mile later and continue another half mile until the road veers left downhill. Take the next right turn, turn right again, then left. You should now be on Gray Fox Drive. Take the next right into Coyote Hollow Court. The parking is on the right at the end of the pavement.

For additional information, including nearby lodging, rentals, camping, and current conditions, may we suggest:
General info on visiting Salt Lake City: http://www.slctravel.com/ http://www.go-utah.com/salt-lake-city
Lodging in Salt Lake City: http://www.utah.com/lodging/saltlakecity.htm
Utah outdoor activities: http://www.utahoutdooractivities.com/
Camping: http://www.outdoorsinutah.com/camping.htm
Ranger District (includes dog regulations, camping): http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/wcnf/unit/slrd/questions.shtml
Bonneville Shoreline Trail website: http://www.bonneville-trail.org/

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Copyright 2007 Mad Scientist Software Inc
Updated trail information 9/08