Donut Falls is a quick and dirty hike in Big Cottonwood Canyon. It is a very popular hike because...you guessed it, the waterfall has formed a hole in the rock that makes it look like a donut. There also seems to be a debate about how to spell donut. Donut or doughnut?! Who knows, so I am going to go with donut. I have hiked this trail many times and every time I forget how magical it is to see the water flow through the rock. Donut Falls is 3.5 miles out and back, IF you start from the parking lot by the road. There is parking closer to the actual trailhead if you get there early enough. I went with my friend Hannah early in the morning to beat the heat and we were able to park at the trailhead parking area. This made the hike on 2 miles out and back, super quick and easy. There is hardly an elevation gain.
Since the water has been so high this year, there was some maneuvering across the river to get to a good viewpoint of the waterfall. This can make it a bit difficult if you don't have long legs and don't want to get wet. But it is totally doable. Since we were cruising the hike we decided to go up the road to Silver Lake. This is the lake that sits at the bottom of Brighton Ski Resort. During the summer you can enjoy hiking around the lake or even on the resort itself. That is one of my favorite things to do if I just feel like exploring and going whichever way the wind takes me. Silver Lake is a mostly paved trail that takes you around the lake. It is a great place to take photos or to enjoy some wildlife viewing. We saw baby ducks and AMAZINGLY two baby deer that still had their spots.
They were so close to the trail and enjoying their morning eating breakfast. They are so stinkin' cute! Silver Lake Loop is less than a mile with no elevation gain. You can take trails up to Lake Mary and Lake Catherine from this trailhead if you are looking for a bit more of a hike. You can also summit Sunset Peak from the Lake Catherine trail, or you can just loop around as many times as you want. There are a few docks along the lake where you can throw a pole in and fish. This is very kid-friendly and a really good trail to get them started.
What You Want to Know
Take Me There! To get to Donut Falls Trailhead up Big Cottonwood Canyon. You will see a big turn-out parking lot and a sign for Jordan Pines Campground. This is the first parking lot for the Donut Falls Trailhead you can continue up the road and this will take you to the trailhead parking lot. However, unless you are there early, I wouldn't bank on spots being available. To get to Silver Lake Loop continue up the canyon until the end of the road. This will lead you to Brighton Resort, from here follow signs for Silver Lake. It is very obvious when to park for the trailhead.
How long is the hike? Donut Falls is either 3.5 mile out and back or a 2 mile out and back depending on where you park, with a slight elevation gain. Silver Lake Loop is a 0.9 mile loop with no elevation gain.
What Do I Wear?! These trails are not very demanding. Any type of sturdy shoe you are comfortable walking in will work. I would also recommend picking a shoe you don't mind getting wet. Donut Falls you will have to walk through the water.
Can I bring my dog? No. Big Cottonwood Canyon is a watershed canyon and dogs are not allowed.
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