Preston Valley Trail

Preston Valley is a great trail located in Green Canyon and is less than ten minutes from Logan, Utah. It offers ample shade making it a great evening hike. It gives you great views of some of the most popular peaks in the area. The trail climbs quickly the entire way. It ends at the ridge splitting Green, and Logan Canyons. It can be done year round as Green Canyon is a popular snowshoeing destination. If you go between November 15th (this is when I went) and December 15th it adds about a mile round trip. If you go in winter it adds about 3.5 miles round trip. I think this is a great late fall or early winter hike. The cooler temps make the elevation gains seem easier and you are still awarded good views. There is a small wood plaque that marks the beginning of the trail. The trail begins in the maples and starts climbing. You then enter the pines and will be in and out of them the duration of the hike. Be sure to look to the east for great views of Mount Jardine. This is one of the most popular peaks to hike in the Bear River Range. Just before reaching the ridge there are very large pines that I thought were cool. Once on the ridge the Preston Valley Trail ends. To the south are awesome views of the giant Logan Peak, or Mount Logan as the locals know it. You get great views of the impressive north cliffs. Look closely to spot the communication towers on the top. Mount Logan can be reached in most any 4x4 vehicle on a dirt road. Far below you can see Logan Canyon and the China Wall formation that makes up the Crimson Trail. There are several ways to add to this trip. If you go west it will take you to Saddleback Mountain. This one is a popular place for the USU students to climb. It sits right above the university and has large reflectors on top. I personally don't like the hike since it is the least scenic I have done in the area. A better option would be to go east along the ridge and climb Beirdneau Peak. This adds 3 miles and 1600 additional gain but it's fairly straight forward. The other option is to head down the other side toward Logan Canyon on the Wind Cave Way Trail. This eventually pops you out at the Wind Caves trail head. This option will require a car shuttle but is very doable. If you are doing an out and back enjoy the views a little longer and head back the way you came.