Hike Cardiff Fork

Salt Lake City, Utah

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Details

Distance

8 miles

Elevation Gain

2880 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Jackson Smith

Beat the crowds at Donut Falls and explore Cardiff Fork. Absolutely gorgeous scenery with a ton of wildlife. If you're feeling ambitious, head all the to the ridge line between Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons and summit Mt Superior.

Cardiff Fork and Donut Falls share the same parking lot, so depending on what time of week you go exploring here, it may be the most packed parking in all of the Wasatch. Head up on a weekday for less crowds.

The Cardiff Fork trailhead is follows the rocky jeep road around the parking lot to the west and makes its way up the canyon. The trail is a wide jeep road pretty much the whole way up. Keep your eyes open for lots of deer and moose, I see more wildlife here than anywhere else in the Wasatch.

Once you eventually pass the mine ruins, you can either make your way around into the basin, or make your way up the Power Line ridge. Power Line makes its way up to Cardiff Pass and looks down into Little Cottonwood Canyon. Look west and you can't miss Mt Superior. If you aren't pushed for time and are an experienced hiker/scrambler, I highly recommend going up Superior.

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Features

Fitness

Chillin

Photography

Running

Hiking

Bathrooms

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Forest

River

Romantic

Scenic

Wildflowers

Wildlife

Hike Cardiff Fork Reviews

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Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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