April 15, 2026

 Draper Suspension Bridge #6

4-15-2026

hikers: Mark & Lecia

distance: about 2 miles

elevation gain: just over 400 feet

No matter which way we do the loop I always try and get a picture of the bridge and the mountain in this spot so I can see the change in seasons.  This is the only picture I took this time.

April 11, 2026

 Wild Rose Canyon

April Grandpa & Nana's Hiking Club

hikers: 7 of the grandkids, 6 adults

weather: rain and then sunshine

This was a really awesome hike. We went up and had a beautiful view at the top of the hill be it was so gradual the kids never complained or said "I'm tired". At the top was a bench for a rest.

Since this is what strava looked like at the end. I don't know how far it was or the elevation gain, but it was definitely doable for this crew.

The weather was little chilly at the beginning but the girls were prepared with coats and an umbrella.

It was such a pretty trail.

The boys. There was one more but he was too small to walk.

The girls.

This is one hike we would like to do again!

Friday, April 10, 2026 Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge #5

 Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge

5th time

hikers: Mark & Lecia

distance:  2.48 miles

elevation gain:  604 ft.

Today we went the extra mile, ok extra half mile, and went to the original Bear Canyon Bridge. It is a pretty add-on to the hike. It is a loop that takes you further up the canyon over the old bridge.

Here is our starting point at the Orson Smith Trailhead.

Coming to the suspension bridge.

There is a trail that takes you farther up the canyon to the old bridge. You can access it from either side of the suspension bridge, not right at the suspension bridge but down the Bonneville shoreline trail a ways on the north and close to the bridge on the south. It makes a loop and takes you back to the suspension bridge.

The original Bear Canyon Bridge.

It is so pretty and shady here!

We finished the loop and it is a good addition to the hike if you have time and want to go a little higher up Bear Canyon. Don't worry, we've never seen  a bear there.

Saturday, April 4, 2026 Draper Suspension Bridge

 Draper Suspension Bridge

4th time

distance:  2 miles

elevation gain:  400 ft.

hikers:  Mark and Lecia

So much for weekly. It isn't happening every week. And sometimes Strava doesn't work. But the hike happened today!

The beginning.

Up the switchbacks.

To the Aqueduct trail.

Up more switchbacks.

Up, up.

The view.

Warnings. No rattlesnakes today. Hopefully never, but you need to watch out.

Another view.

Almost to the bridge.

Here we are.

On the other side of the bridge we head down Ralph's trail.

Switchbacks.

The Aqueduct trail.

And we're back.

March 21, 2026 Hiking Club - March

 Jungle Trail

Grandpa & Nana's March hiking club

hikers: Grandpa & Nana, 3 parents, 9 grandkiddos, including our new 2 month old Brooks!

distance:  1 mile

elevation gain: 131 ft.

This is such a fun hike for kids. And doable for all ages. You hike uphill half a mile and cross the creek and you are at a play area, then you hike back on that side of the creek and it is just a 1 mile loop.

We started at the Carolina Hills Trailhead. Lucky for us there was enough parking spots.

Things are in bloom! It is such a pretty time.

Snacktime. They start asking for a snack about 1 minute in to the hike but we delay until about half way.

Hiding.

Climbing.

Playing.

Hiking.

What a great day for a hike!!!

February 26, 2026 3rd Suspension Bridge hike

 Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge

3rd time this year

distance:  2.16 miles

elevation gain:  437 ft.

hikers: Lecia and Mark

We've hiked up to the bridge 2 times already in February. 3rd times the charm. We have decided we'll do it every week! It doesn't take long to get here, there is more elevation gain than a walk around the neighborhood, and it doesn't take long to do this enjoyable hike! win, win, win.

Unfortunately with strava you can't tell which direction we went on the loop. Today we took Ralph's trail up to the bridge and came down the other trail. I think it is the Orson Smith trail.

Mark ready to head up Ralph's trail.

There's the bridge. The mountain is still brown but we'll see it green up over time.

The Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge

Someone's rock collection! I don't know if it was abandoned or is waiting for the owner. It looks like a good rock collection.

February 16, 2026 Suspension Bridge Hike with our Neighbors!

 Draper Suspension Bridge

2nd time this year

hikers: Mark and I started out on this hike and we ran into some of our neighbors!

distance:  2.11 miles

elevation gain: 418

hiking time:  1 hour 2 minutes

This is our 2nd hike to the suspension bridge in Draper this year. The weather is so mild, with no snow, this is a good place to get in a hike.

We started at the Orson Smith park.

Headed up the stairs.

Got to the Aqueduct trail and headed up the switchbacks. As we were going up the switchbacks we ran into some people we knew! A neighbor and her son and his wife and their dogs. We stopped to talk to them, hiked with them, and ended  up hiking together the entire way!

Arriving at the bridge.

We had someone to take our picture!

We headed down Ralph's trail to complete the loop.

What an enjoyable surprise to run into these friends. It really was fun to hike together!