Beus Canyon, above Ogden's 4600 South, is a trail worth taking — even if you have only 30 minutes to spend walking around the area.
This multipurpose trail, used by hikers, horse riders and mountain bikers, is especially delightful in the fall or spring.
If you have more time to spend, you can hike to the summit of Mount Ogden (9,572 above sea level), but that's not a requirement for an enjoyable time. Just leaving busy Harrison Boulevard behind is well worth the trip.
Trail rating: **
Scenic rating: ***
Distance: Six miles one-way to the summit.
Elevation gain: Some 4,500 feet of vertical climb, with a 5,000-foot starting elevation.
Difficulty: Strenuous to the summit but only moderate if you just go the first two miles and head back down.
Time required: Ninety minutes to two hours for the two-miles stretch. Seven hours or more to reach the summit. There's usually snow on the peak in October.
Directions to reach the trailhead: Take U.S. 89 toward Weber State University and turn off to Harrison Boulevard. Turn east at 4600 South and go up the hill, past the Dee Events Center parking lot and an LDS chapel. Look for a marked turnoff at the top of the hill on the left side of the road.
Trail description: It features a paved parking lot and shady overhangs in the early going, with some switchbacks. After about a half mile, the trail intersects the Bonneville Shoreline Path. The trail gets rougher the farther you go.
More than a decade ago, the the trail faded out after two miles, and it was a pure scramble to the top. The path was improved by the Ogden Trails Network.
It is possible to descend on the east side of the Wasatch Mountains into Snowbasin territory, but alternative transportation would be required.
Cost/charges: none.
Cautions: Do not drink the stream water without purifying it first. Always carry adequate water.
Highlights: The roar of Beus Creek in the early going and, later, the bird's-eye views from the mountaintop.
Camping: No campfires are permitted, but camping could be done at many locations along the path.
For more information: Contact the Ogden Ranger District at 625-5112.