Rudd Canyon

Rudd Canyon is very steep and the trail is often missing and or sporadic. I had a hard time finding the trail after 1/2 mile of hiking. After spending 3 hours bushwhacking in the small canyon I came across a small lukewarm sulfur spring that was right next to the creek. Depending on the season, and if the Farmington Canyon gate is closed, you may just need to park down by the Farmington Pond and hike up to the trailhead. The trailhead starts on the Firebreak road which is also the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, and it is nice and clear and easy to follow for a little ways up the canyon. About 100 yards up the trail from the Firebreak road I came across a dead red fox that was still trapped in a paw clamp. It looked pretty fresh. If you have dogs or kids, please keep them on the trail as there could be traps in the area. Quickly the trail disappears and I was left to assume where the trail continues. Luckily, I found that the trail widened out until it came into the canyon where there was a small fire pit. The trail is very faint and even nonexistent at times but just continues up the canyon. After the fire pit area the trail narrows exceedingly and it gets very steep. I wasn't certain where the trail went from here so I decided to just follow what seemed to be a game trail up to a ridge of rocks. I can see why not too many people hike up this canyon. After the fire pit area the trail narrows exceedingly and it gets very steep. I wasn't certain where the trail went from here so I decided to just follow what seemed to be a game trail up to a ridge of rocks . I convinced myself that I had gotten off the real trail and so I headed up the side of the mountain a few hundred yards until I found another trail. This trail only ended up being another game trail and quickly stopped in front of a few thorn bushes. I decided I would now head back down towards the creek and maybe I could hike up the canyon more. This effort proved to be in vain as the creek had just as many bushes and trees to keep me from progressing up the canyon. After accidentally falling down a very steep mudslide area I decided my adventure with Rudd Canyon was over. I didn't see any signs of old mines or any other interesting things so I followed the creek down a little ways and noticed a bad stench in the air. Upon investigation I found that the stench in the air was not me, but that it was a very small sulfur spring. The sulfur had stained the mud and rocks brilliant orange and red colors and the water was just a little bit cooler than lukewarm. The spring is literally located right next to the creek and you could feel the difference in temperatures as the creek was freezing cold and the spring was not too bad. The sulfur spring was a nice surprise and after talking with my brother about it, he thinks that it is the only thermal spring located in between the N. Salt Lake springs and the Ogden Hot Pots. After checking out the spring I followed the creek down another 50 yards then made my way back up to the ridge of rock and found the trail again and came back down. Head back down towards your vehicle.