Bells Canyon Trailhead

Overview

Bells Canyon is the major canyon just south of Little Cottonwood Canyon in the Wasatch Mountains. It's trail is frequented by many. Most people stop at the lower reservoir as a very short day hike, and others stop at one of the major waterfalls along the trail. Others continue all the way to the upper reservoir, one of the peaks accessible from here, or even cross the ridge to lake hardy.

For climbers, this trail accesses some of the best, and most classic climbs in the Wasatch. The bells towers along the north side of the canyon provide world-class muti-pitch trad routes on awesome granite. There are several summits accessible from here including North and South Thunder Mountain, Upper Bells (Bighorn) peak, Lone Peak, and Rocky Mouth Canyon Peak. It is the standard end to the Beatout hike, and can be the beginning (if you really like elevation gain).

CONSTRUCTION INFO

There is currently constuction going on at the mouth of Little Cottonwood that may be compromising one of the trailheads. I believe it is still usable, but it might be better to go to the other trailhead.

Also there is major construction on 1700 E and 12300 S where they meet, as well as on Wasatch Boulevard around 1700 E. This is passable, but a real pain. An alternate route may be advisable.

Getting there

Bells canyon actually has two trailheads that meet each other at the lower reservoir. Trailhead 1 is longer, trailhead 2 is steeper, shorter and has better scenery.

Tralhead 1 - Mouth of Little Cottonwood

From I-215 (Southbound)

Get off at exit 6 (6200 South) and head east. The road will curve south and become Wasatch Boulevard. Continue for 4 miles. At North Little Cottonwood Road, turn right to stay on Wasatch Boulevard. Go about one more mile until you reach South Little Cottonwood Road. Turn Left. The trailhead will be on your right.

From I-15 (Northbound)

Exit at 12300 south (exit 291) Turn Right (east) and follow the road for 2.4 miles. It will curve North and turn into 1700 East. Turn right at the next light onto Wasatch Boulevard. Go east on Wasatch and follow it as it curves to the North. 7.6 miles from the freeway you will turn right onto South Little Cottonwood Road. It will be on the right.

Tralhead 2

From I-215 (Southbound)

Get off at exit 6 (6200 South) and head east. The road will curve south and become Wasatch Boulevard. Continue for 4 miles. At North Little Cottonwood Road, turn right to stay on Wasatch Boulevard. Go a few more miles, passing South Little Cottonwood Road. The trailhead will be on your Left among some apartments (condos?). You may need to make a U-turn in order to reach it due to the median.

From I-15 (Northbound)

Exit at 12300 south (exit 291) Turn Right (east) and follow the road for 2.4 miles. It will curve North and turn into 1700 East. Turn right at the next light onto Wasatch Boulevard. Go east on Wasatch and follow it as it curves to the North. ~6 miles from the freeway it will be on the right, just off the road among some apartments (condos?).

External Links

Some handy items:

Google Earth Placemarks:
(right click and do "Save link as..." or "Save Target As...")
Trailhead 1
Trailhead 2
GET GOOGLE EARTH

Images

View Bells Canyon Trailhead Image Gallery - 2 Images