Crimson Trail

The Crimson Trail is a really great and accessible hike in the beginning of Logan Canyon, and follows the top of the China Wall formation seen throughout the canyon. The trailhead is in the Spring Hollow Campground. The small parking lot is often full of people fishing at Third Dam. If there isn't any parking available there is lots of space on the north side of the highway. The Crimson trail is low in elevation which makes it a great early spring hike when others are still under snow, enough shade from the heat in the summer, and amazing colors in the fall. There is a good variety of things on this trail including a large spring, forest, and huge cliffs. The first little bit of this trail follows the Spring Hollow stream. There is a very short side trail that will show you the actual spring itself. Shortly after the water ends you will come to a fork with a sign pointing you to the left to start the ascent for this trail. The trail climbs steadily here but uses lots of switchbacks making it much easier. There are pretty views of the heavily forested south side of the canyon. There are several areas in the trees to escape the sun for a good drink break. You will soon be on top of the China Wall and this is a really nice area to hike and enjoy the 60-80 foot cliffs for lots of the hike. At this point, most of your elevation gain is over. Across the canyon you can see Beirdneau Peak watching over you most of the hike. It is a fairly prominent mountain that is a good destination itself. Continue along the China Wall and see if you can spot rock chucks far below you. If you look up the Logan Canyon you can see the road winding along the river and you can see Temple Peak, a huge flat-topped mountain that once provided most of the timber to build the Logan Temple and other historic buildings. As you come to the end of the cliffs there are a few fun areas to climb around on and take a good rest. The trail skirts the last bit of the wall before descending very steeply and quickly. Once off the wall the trail is in forest for much of the remainder of the hike. You'll descend until you meet the Logan River. Once at the river you follow the River Nature Trail back to the parking lot. Just as you reach the campground you can walk to the stream and see a small 6 foot waterfall that is worth the 30 second detour.