Weber-Davis Outdoors

Let's meander north from the Fernwood parking lot. It's more woodsy/shady than the southern route along the BST. It's out & back so we can decide when to turn around. I'd guess 4 miles round trip but am open to +/-. Bring water. Cross posted to Ogden Seniors.

We'll begin the hike at 6:30 from the Fernwood Park Trailhead parking lot on Fernwood Dr. in Layton. We'll head north on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and loop around to the west after coming to the north fork of Kays Creek, then we will to return to the beginning. Trail difficulty: Easy. Distance: 3+miles. Elevation gain: 550 ft.

This is a moderate hike, not suitable for beginners because of uneven terrain. The grotto is a very unique spot in otherwise dry Utah. The grotto has a waterfall and dripping areas with moss. It's a great place to cool down.

I used to lead this as a loop hike of 2.5 miles round trip with a 730' elevation gain. However, when I was there earlier this year, it appeared that the return hiking trail had degraded. Someone wrote “you might die” on the trail sign. We will check out the trail condition (it is only one short section that is questionable) and then decide if we will make this hike an out-and-back. I’ve hiked the loop in less than 90 minutes, but expect our group to take longer. Long pants are recommended because there is a section of poison ivy on the side of the trail in one section (last year, someone placed a helpful sign indicating the itching hazard).

Since this hike is short, there is an option to go up Davis Creek to the first waterfall after the Grotto hike to get in some more mileage.

The trailhead is beside the reservoirs above the Farmington Cemetery. Trailhead parking is at the Davis Canyon reservoir. Turn East on 500 South in Farmington. 500 South is adjacent to Farmington Cemetery. Keep heading up the mountain, and the road changes into Little Valley Road. There is a big parking area on the right side of the road by the reservoir. My GPS says 1122 Little Valley Road or N 40 58 1 W 111 52 23. Do not keep driving up the road into the private drive (home) area. Park in the big area near the reservoir.