Early June is the most spectacular time of the year for hiking Davis County's most popular canyon.
This isn't an easy hike; it's moderately strenuous with some rock outcropping and steep slopes to negotiate. However, the reward after three miles is a 40-foot waterfall, complete with its own private pool.The views en route aren't bad, either. Despite its high usage, the trail offers plenty of shade and seclusion. The roaring water of Holmes Creek drowns out most other noise.
Weekends and holidays are pretty crowded on this trail, but most weekdays do offer plenty of solitude. Even those who can't hike all the way to the waterfall will be rewarded with a wilderness experience not far from busy U.S. 89.
Trail rating: Four stars
Scenic rating: Four stars
Distance: Three miles, one-way, to the waterfall.
Elevation gain: About 1,500 feet
Difficulty: Moderate. Children can make this hike with some assistance.
Time required: Two hours roundtrip for the fastest of hikers, but three to four hours is average for most people.
Directions to reach the trailhead: The trailhead is located directly east of U.S. 89 and Oak Hills Drive junction in east Layton. Access the frontage road on the first or second road that heads east off U.S. 89 going north from Oak Hills. Park on the pavement of the frontage road or in a dirt area that is just west of a water reservoir.
Trail description: rock and dirt, with plenty of loose sand in the first half-mile.
Cost/charges: None.
Cautions: The trail crosses some private land in the first half-mile and so proper respect should be given. The foothill trail to take that crosses the least private land goes steeply up the sand hill at the northeast edge of the water reservoir.
The trail also crosses a wooden bridge about two miles up the canyon and requires hikers to scramble above or along an outcropping of rocks several yards beyond that obstacle. There's also an eroded hillside and several steep sections after that to negotiate.
Caution should also be exercised by anyone hiking above the waterfall. It is easier to go up this steep rocky slope than it is to descend. The trail above the waterfall fades out a half-mile later.
Tidbits: The canyon is named for Elias Adams, a pioneer who settled at its mouth and built a sawmill there. The stream's namesake is Samuel Holmes, a trapper who was living near there when the pioneers arrived in 1849.
Davis County is hoping to soon build a public trailhead and foothill path just to the north of the existing one so that all private land can be avoided. Some homes are planned to be built along portions of the existing, lower foothill trail.
Highlights: There's a nice 15-foot waterfall near the mouth of Adams Canyon, but that's on private land. The 40-foot waterfall is the trail's best feature and offers a good wading experience.
Camping: Three good primitive camping spots are available. The first is just past the mouth of the canyon and the second is across the creek at the 1.5-mile mark. The third is two miles out, just across the wooden bridge.
Water: No drinking water available. Carry your own or plan on purifying the stream water.
For more information: Contact the U.S. Forest Service office, 943-1794.