⚡ The Quick Scoop
The Vibe: Two short, stunning adventures packed with massive white granite and rushing water.
Must See: The totally unique "sideways" Lisa Falls, and the massive granite boulders carved into stairs by the local church for rock climbers!
Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (The perfect family-friendly afternoon!)
Every time I drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon, my jaw literally drops at the beauty of the huge white granite walls on the north side of the canyon. This canyon is famous for its steep, dramatic rock faces, but tucked right along the road are two short, incredibly fun adventures that are perfect for a quick nature fix.
Because I am currently obsessively chasing waterfalls in the early spring, I set out to find Lisa Falls. It is so short that I easily paired it with a quick hop over to the nearby Gate Buttress climbing area. Let's go explore!
👇 Choose Your Path
The Unique Magic of Lisa Falls
Lisa Falls is located just about 3 miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon on the right-hand side. The hike to the bottom of the falls is an incredibly short, super easy, family-friendly walk that is absolutely amazing.
What makes Lisa Falls probably one of my favorite waterfalls in Utah is its sheer uniqueness. Most waterfalls plunge straight off a cliff, but Lisa Falls slides rapidly down a massive, smooth slab of white granite and then does a sharp, dramatic turn right in the middle! It is so unique, and because the hike is so short, you can walk right up and get incredibly close to the water.
🪨 The "Smarty Pants" Detour
A few years ago, a massive rockslide avalanche hit this area and actually redirected the river, meaning the main, easy trail doesn't follow the water anymore. When I took a friend up here recently, I decided, "Hey, I am so smart! Let's just try and follow the new river route!"
Well, let me tell you... that was not a smarty pants move. It was so incredibly challenging to climb up that steep, messy boulder field of the new river route! Stick to the actual trail, folks!
🧗♀️ Bouldering & Bumpy Slides
I absolutely love the base of this waterfall! The area is filled with massive, smooth granite boulders. Every time I go, there is usually a family with kids bravely trying to conquer climbing some of the big rocks that surround the falls. It's a fantastic spot to safely scramble around and burn some energy!
But the real crazy climbing happens in the waterfall! I was actually there once when a professional tour company took people up the falls with harnesses, and then let them slide down the granite water chute! Some slid down like absolute pros, but others had a pretty bumpy ride. One poor guy actually lost his pants a little on the way down! I felt so bad for him, but honestly, it was pretty hilarious.
Watch the Waterfall Sliders!
Check out the very beginning of this VR Collection to see those brave souls sliding down Lisa Falls!
(Note: You do not want to try and go to the very top of the falls unless you have professional climbing gear and are fully trained! Stick to the beautiful base.)
Gate Boulders & The Secret Stairs
I finished up at Lisa Falls (and paired it with a quick stop at Rocky Mouth Falls), but I was really happy that there was still some sunlight left and I still had energy!
I noticed a parking lot just below Lisa Falls for an area called Gate Buttress (or Gate Boulders). Since I had the time, I was thrilled to check it out. What I found was a fascinating piece of local history and a true rock climber's paradise.
⛏️ The Hand-Carved Mountain
The land here is actually owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It is an incredibly high-level climbing area because the slick granite doesn't have many handholds, which brings climbers from all over to test their skills. In 2012, the Church generously granted this section of their private property to be accessed by the public!
I am sure it was a major stress for the Church to allow climbers on their property knowing the risks of a fall. There are big signs reminding people that they are climbing at their own risk, and I really hope an idiot doesn't ruin it for the whole community because it is such a blessing!
For hikers, the Church actually took tools and flattened the weirdly-angled tops of the boulders on the main path! It feels almost exactly like climbing a few flights of rock stairs. It is such a brilliant way to make this rugged terrain accessible!
🤝 The Climber's Connection
As I walked the trail, I sat there in absolute awe watching the skilled mountain climbers tackling the sheer, slick granite walls above me. But what inspired me even more than the crazy navigation was listening to them.
It is so inspirational to listen to the climber teams talk to each other, communicating closely and cheering their fellow teammates on to conquer the climb. I had originally hiked up here hoping to capture a spectacular sunset, thinking it would be an amazing location. The sunset didn't quite work out as amazing as I had hoped, but witnessing that incredible teamwork and trust on the rock wall was a reward all on its own.
Transport Yourself: 360° VR Tours
Experience the rushing water of Lisa Falls and the towering granite of Gate Buttress! Click and drag the street views and videos below to look around.
Walking Around Lisa Falls
Aerial Video of Lisa Falls
Amazing drone footage by Uprising showing the falls from above!
Gate Buttress: Watching the Climbers
Look up! Can you spot the climbers tackling the white granite?
Walking the Gate Buttress Trail
The Explorer's Guide
🗺️ Adventure at a Glance
- 🏞️ Location: Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah
- 🥾 Activity: Very short hiking & easy beginner bouldering
- 📏 Distance: Both hikes are extremely short (under 1 mile RT)
- 🏅 Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (The perfect quick nature fix!)
Helpful Hints for Your Visit
- Getting There: Lisa Falls is located about 3 miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon on the right-hand side. Gate Buttress is just below it!
- Pair it Up with Rocky Mouth Falls: Because Lisa Falls is so short, it is the perfect pairing with nearby Rocky Mouth Falls! Rocky Mouth doesn't have many great spots for a picnic lunch, but it is an incredibly fun spot where climbers actually rope-climb down the middle of the waterfall! It is a blessing and a curse—the climbers kind of ruin the pristine shots of the waterfall for my cameras, but they are so fun to watch!
- Stay on the Trail: At Gate Buttress, look for the brown sign poles. If you follow them, you get to use the nicely flattened "boulder stairs." If you wander off, you're in for a much harder scramble!
The Granite Scrapbook
A collection of my favorite photos from the unique Lisa Falls and the towering granite of Gate Buttress.
🧭 The Cottonwood Trail Tracker
Waterfall conditions in Utah change wildly from season to season! An epic, roaring cascade in May might be completely dry by August. Help the VRGetaway community out! If you recently hiked Lisa Falls or explored Gate Buttress, drop a quick trail report below so others know what to expect.
✨ Ask the Climbing Guide
Curious about Little Cottonwood Canyon, bouldering vs. climbing, or Utah geology? Ask our AI Guide!
The Joy of Quick Adventures
It is so amazing that we have access to these incredible white granite walls right in our backyard. Whether you want to spend hours tracking a long trail or just need a quick, beautiful 30-minute nature fix after work, Little Cottonwood Canyon always delivers. I hope this guide helps you find the perfect easy adventure!
Sending Love and Positive Vibes,
Shauna @ VRGetaway
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