⛰️ Don't Get Lost! A Hiker's Guide to the Real Stairs Gulch Trail
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| The rugged, beautiful, and steep walls of Stairs Gulch. |
When I first researched Stairs Gulch, I was a little nervous. AllTrails labels it as "Hard" and "for experienced hikers only," and I always want to know *why*. Is it dangerous? Is it easy to get lost? It turns out, this trail is a hidden gem that's just steep, and the real "hard part" is a navigation trick that's easy to avoid... if you know the secret. This is my guide to finding the *real* trail, avoiding the dangerous false paths, and enjoying this incredible canyon safely.
In This Adventure Guide:
🌟 The Golden Nugget: The Secret Trail
Don't Miss This: The #1 mistake hikers make is at one of the larger waterfalls. The trail looks like it vanishes or goes up a very scary, dangerous-looking ledge on the left (and some apps even show the trail going this way!). **This is WRONG, and people get stuck here.** The real, easy trail simply **crosses the river** and continues safely on the other side. My advice: if the trail ever looks dangerously hard, you are on a false path. STOP, look around, and find the easier, correct trail.
🗺️ The Adventure Map
The trailhead is tricky to find and unmarked. It's located in Big Cottonwood Canyon, directly across the road from the Storm Mountain Amphitheater/Picnic Area. I've marked the exact parking spot on my Utah Hikes map!
Click Here for My Utah Hikes MapTRANSPORT YOURSELF TO STAIRS GULCH
This immersive 360° video (which you can also watch in a "tiny planet" style!) takes you right onto the trail. You'll see the rugged cliffs, the beautiful waterfalls, and the exact spot where you need to cross the river!
Immersive 360° Journey:
Cinematic 2D Version:
"I learned that applying that 'STOP and look around and make sure there is not an easier better path' also works in life. Your spirit or soul is smart and if we feel like we are heading somewhere scary, then listen to that gut instinct, and STOP..."
🗺️ Adventure at a Glance
- 🏞️ Location/Park: Big Cottonwood Canyon, Wasatch National Forest, Utah
- 🥾 Hike/Activity: Stairs Gulch Trail (Out and Back)
- 📏 Distance: ~2.5 miles round trip
- 📈 Elevation Gain: ~1,200 feet (It's very steep!)
- ⏳ Recommended Time: 2-3 Hours
- 🧭 Can't-Miss Sights: The rugged "gulch" walls, the upper waterfalls, the views back down the canyon.
Adventure Rating:
- Wow Factor: 💎💎💎💎⚪️ (A rugged, wild, and beautiful adventure)
- Difficulty: ⛰️⛰️⛰️⛰️⚪️ (Hard - very steep, with loose rock)
- Crowds: 🚶⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️ (A quiet local's trail)
🥾 My Stairs Gulch Story
This is a steep hike that runs along the Stairs Gulch stream, surrounded by the most fabulous and interesting steep, rock-faced mountains. But is it "hard"? Here's my breakdown:
- Is it hard because of length? No. At only 2.5 miles round trip, it's a short hike.
- Is it hard because of bouldering? No. If you are on the right trail, there are no scary moves.
- Is it hard because of loose rocks? A little. The trail does get steep, and there are some sections with loose rock. This is why I strongly recommend hiking poles.
- Is it hard because it's easy to get lost? YES. This is the real challenge. As I mentioned in the Golden Nugget, there are several "false trails" that lead to dangerous ledges. The key is to remember that this trail is *not* a rock climb. If it suddenly looks dangerous, you are on a false path. The real trail will simply cross the river.
This hike taught me two things. First, I am so grateful for the predecessors who paved a way, both on this trail and in life, to make my journey easier. Second, it's a powerful reminder to listen to your gut. If you feel like you are heading somewhere scary, STOP, look around, pray, and find the easier, better path that is almost always hidden nearby.
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| Stairs Gulch Upper Waterfall Big Cottonwood Canyon |
💡 Your Trail Guide: Helpful Hints
- ♦️ Trailhead Location: The trailhead is unmarked. Park across the street from the **Storm Mountain Amphitheater & Picnic Area** in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
- ♦️ Avalanche Warning: Be aware of the signs for unexploded avalanche charges. This canyon is used for avalanche control in the winter. While it's very safe in summer, it's a good reminder of the area's ruggedness.
- ♦️ Be Prepared to Get Wet: You will have to cross the river. Don't try to rock-hop. Just accept that you'll get your feet wet and wear the right shoes!
- ♦️ Turn Around Anytime: The whole trail is beautiful. Don't feel like you must make it to the end. Remember, going down is often harder than going up, so listen to your body.
🎒 What's in My Pack?
For this specific adventure, these are the 3 items I wouldn't leave home without!
- Hiking Poles: Non-negotiable for me on this one. A 4-point system (two feet, two poles) makes the steep descent with its loose rocks so much safer and more manageable.
- Good Water Shoes: Since you have to cross the river, I recommend hiking in sturdy water shoes (like Keens) or just accepting that your hiking boots will get soaked.
- A Downloaded Map: A GPS app like AllTrails or Gaia is a lifesaver here. It will help you see the *real* trail and keep you from following those "false trails" onto the dangerous ledges.
🔎 VR Video Treasure Hunt!
When you watch the immersive 360° video, see if you can find these special moments I captured!
- The "Scary" Ledge: Can you spot the false trail on the ledge where so many people get stuck?
- The River Crossing: See the spot where the *real* trail simply crosses the stream.
- The Upper Waterfall: The beautiful, cascading waterfall near the end of the hike.
⭐ Final Thoughts
Stairs Gulch is a fantastic reminder that a trail's "difficulty" isn't just about steepness—it's also about knowledge. What looks like an impossible, dangerous hike is actually a simple, beautiful trail if you have the right information. It's a perfect metaphor for life! I'm so grateful to those who went before me for making this path accessible.
What's a hike that challenged you, not just physically, but mentally? I'd love to hear about it in the comments! Happy Hiking!
Sending Love and Positive Vibes,
Shauna from VRGetaway
🗺️ Continue Your Adventure!
If you loved this steep Wasatch adventure, here are a few other hikes you won't want to miss:
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRAIL:
- If you watch the video above, there is a section of the trail where it really looks like it goes along the ledge on the left side of the river, and there is even an area to the left of that where people are trying to pave there way up the mountain. This is where I stopped, but on the way down I talked to a man, and he told me how often people get stuck on in trouble there, BUT the trail is so simple here, YOU JUST HAVE TO CROSS THE RIVER. The trail heads behind the rock I am standing in front of at the end. Dang. It looked so hard, but it was so simple!
- Trail is 2.5 Miles Round Trip, but realize that the whole trail is just beautiful, and there is no reason you must make it to the end. Remember going down is always a little tougher, so listen to yourself and turn when you think should.
- Trail is located across the Storm Mountain Amphitheater. I am not sure if Google Maps was accurate when I went, so watch for that landmark.
- When I first found out about this trail and learned it was Hard and listed for only Experienced hikers, I always get a little worried and want to yell.... tell me WHY it is hard. If a trail is labeled Hard I would love a checklist. Here is my checklist for you.
- FIRST Is it hard because it is easy to get lost? There are only a few places where I saw a faint trail but it didn't look right, so I STOPPED and looked around, and sure enough after looking around there is an easier trail. There is one spot by one of the larger waterfalls where the trail seriously looked like it was going to go along a ledge on the side of the Waterfalls ( and GAIA trails would say that is right), but there is a simple trail if you just cross the river. So my advice is that if the trail ahead looks hard, just stop and look around...there is an easier way.
- SECOND is it hard because it is steep with loose rocks to slide uncontrollably down the mountain?
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| Stairs Gulch Big Cottonwood Canyon Utah |
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| Stairs Gulch might not boast of a multitude of wild flowers, but the ones it does have are really something! |
360 TRAIL of TOP PART Of STAIRS GULCH
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| These are the cool Rugged Mountains you get to hike along and into for the Stairs Gulch Trail. |
INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE FROM STAIRS GULCH
360 VIDEO OF MIDDLE SECTION OF STAIRS GULCH
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| This is the View from Across the Street from where I parked. It is the Storm Mountain Amphitheater. |
360 TRAIL of MIDDLE of STAIRS GULCH
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| Right in the middle of the photo is the trail head. You can see it is pretty well hidden from the road on the drive up. |
360 VIDEO OF THE LOWER SECTION OF STAIRS GULCH TRAIL
If you are not a fan of 360 Videos and would rather see a 2D video here is a link for you!
HERERER
CURIOUS WHAT I WON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT? WELL HERE ARE MY HIKING ESSENTIALS.
360 TRAIL of LOWER STAIRS GULCH
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WHAT!?!?!? I guess this canyon can block off the road for those heading up to ski, so to avoid anyone getting hurt, they trigger avalanches in this canyon often. As a precaution, they want people to be aware of what an explosive that did not go off would look like. I watched pretty close, but if you stay on the trail, it has been search often for the last few months this late in the summer.🗺️ Continue Your Adventure!If you loved this steep Wasatch adventure, here are a few other hikes you won't want to miss: |
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