⚡ The Quick Scoop
The Vibe: A rugged, beautiful, and steep hike wedged between massive rock walls with gorgeous waterfalls.
The Reality: AllTrails calls it "Hard" and "for experienced hikers only," but the real danger isn't the physical climb—it is a deceptive false trail that leads hikers onto terrifying ledges!
Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎 (A rugged, wild adventure!)
When I first started researching the Stairs Gulch trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon, I have to admit... I was a little nervous. Trail apps label it as "Hard" and slap a warning on it saying it is "for experienced hikers only."
Whenever I see that, I always want to know why. Is it dangerous? Is it easy to get lost? Do I need climbing gear? Well, I hiked it, and it turns out this trail is an absolute hidden gem. It is definitely steep, but the real "hard part" is a tricky navigational trap that is incredibly easy to avoid... if you know the secret.
👇 Choose Your Path
The Avalanche Warnings & The Steep Climb
A "gulch" is basically an area where a river runs along a steep cliff wall, and Stairs Gulch absolutely lives up to its name. The views of the rugged, steep rock-faced mountains on this hike are out of this world amazing.
💥 Unexploded Avalanche Charges?
Right as you start the trail, you are greeted by some pretty intimidating signs! Apparently, this specific canyon can sometimes funnel avalanches right down onto the main road where cars are driving up to the ski resorts. To avoid anyone getting hurt in the winter, the authorities frequently trigger controlled avalanches up here.
Because of this, there are signs warning hikers to be on the lookout for unexploded avalanche charges! They literally show you pictures of what an explosive that didn't go off looks like. WHAT!?! I definitely watched my step pretty closely, but if you stay on the main trail in the late summer, it is very safe and has been searched often.
The hike itself is only about 2.5 miles round trip, but you gain around 1,200 feet of elevation. So, is it hard because of the length? No. Is it hard because of bouldering? No. But is it completely easy? Also no!
It is steep, and there are sections of loose rock. In fact, there is one section where the trail is so steep, and the deep gulch is right there in your side view, that it can freak you out for a moment! I have definitely resorted to just sitting on my bottom and sliding down a few feet to feel safe. This is exactly why I strongly recommend hiking poles.
Speaking of which, a hiker once warned me here to constantly watch out for rattlesnakes—he said he sees one every time he hikes this trail! Thankfully, my trusty hiking sticks usually tap the ground enough to warn them away, and I have never seen one yet.
But the real reason this trail gets a bad reputation is because of what happens at the first major waterfall.
The Golden Nugget: The False Trail
Here is the absolute number one mistake hikers make in Stairs Gulch. When you get to one of the larger waterfalls, the trail suddenly looks like it vanishes.
If you look to your left, you will see what looks like a path heading up a very scary, dangerous-looking ledge on the side of the waterfall. You will even see areas where people have desperately tried to pave their way up the steep mountain face. Some trail apps (like Gaia) will even show the route going this way!
🚫 THIS IS WRONG!
This false trail is exactly where people get stuck, get into trouble, and give this hike its dangerous reputation!
I actually met a local hiker on my way down who confirmed this. We talked about how people try so hard to stay on the left side of the river by the waterfall, and how terrifyingly sketchy it gets up there. He laughed and told me the secret: YOU JUST HAVE TO CROSS THE RIVER. If you just cross over to the right side, the trail stays very easy, guiding you safely around that higher waterfall so you can keep going up the canyon.
🥾 The Wet Hoka Dilemma
Crossing that river can be a little stressful! The water is freezing cold because it is rushing straight down from the mountain snow runoff (another reason I don't hike this in the early spring when the avalanche risk is still high!). My shoes of choice are usually my Hoka Mountain Boots. They do such a great job of keeping water out that it actually encourages me to try way too hard to keep my feet dry!
I usually survive by finding a good path and using my sticks to balance on the rocks. But there was one time, after all that stress of trying to keep my shoes perfectly dry, I slipped and went straight in anyway! I just laughed and thought, "Why did I stress so much?" I should have just waded in from the start and enjoyed the cool, refreshing mountain water!
Once you make that crossing and safely navigate around the false ledge, you are rewarded with the ultimate payoff. The upper waterfall is such a cozy, lovely spot. It is wonderfully cool, peaceful, and charming—the absolute perfect place to pull out your lunch, enjoy a snack, and just soak in the serenity of the canyon.
The Parable of the Path
There were times on this hike when I looked at the trail in front of me and thought, "Wow, this looks a little scary." But every single time I felt that way, I would STOP, look around, and hidden nearby was a much simpler, easier route.
❤️ A Lesson From the Ledges
I learned two very powerful things from this trail that can be applied directly to life.
First, I am so incredibly grateful for the predecessors who paved a way—both on this physical trail and in my family line—who did the hard work to make my journey easier and safer.
Second, I learned that applying the rule to "STOP, look around, and make sure there is not an easier, better path" works miracles in real life. Your spirit or soul is incredibly smart. If you are navigating life and you feel like you are heading somewhere dangerous, scary, or overwhelmingly difficult, listen to that gut instinct.
Stop. Look around. Pray. The easier, better path that is meant for you is almost always hidden nearby, just waiting for you to cross the river.
🐐 A Mountain Goat Fantasy
With the steep rock ledges, the rushing water, and the wild, rugged beauty of Stairs Gulch, my imagination always runs wild here! If I were to film a green-screen story in this canyon, I would absolutely want to do a charming story alongside a Mountain Goat. Just imagine a whimsical tale of adventure and wonder, hopping effortlessly along the steep ledges and taking in those amazing canyon views with a furry mountain companion!
Transport Yourself: 360° VR Tours
Experience the rugged beauty of Stairs Gulch for yourself! Click and drag the videos and street views below to look around.
🔎 VR Video Treasure Hunt!
When you watch the immersive 360° videos, see if you can spot these special moments!
- The "Scary" Ledge: Can you spot the false trail on the ledge where so many people get stuck?
- The River Crossing: See the exact spot where the *real* trail simply crosses the stream.
- The Upper Waterfall: Find the beautiful, cascading waterfall near the end of the hike.
The Middle Section of Stairs Gulch (360° VR)
Cinematic 2D Walkthrough
If you prefer standard video, check out this beautiful 2D walkthrough of the trail!
Interactive Google Maps Trails
The Explorer's Guide & Gear
🗺️ Adventure at a Glance
- 🏞️ Location: Big Cottonwood Canyon, Wasatch National Forest, Utah
- 🥾 Activity: Steep canyon hiking & river crossing
- 📏 Distance: ~2.5 miles round trip
- 📈 Elevation Gain: ~1,200 feet (Very steep!)
- ⏳ Time Needed: 2-3 Hours
- ⚠️ Difficulty: Hard (Due to steepness and loose rock)
🎒 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 loose rocks so much safer and more manageable! If you are nervous going down, just sit on your bottom and scoot those few feet!
- Good Water Shoes (or Hokas!): Since you HAVE to cross the freezing snow-runoff river to stay on the safe trail, I recommend hiking in sturdy water shoes (like Keens) or excellent waterproof boots (like my Hokas). Just accept that your feet might get wet, and embrace the refreshing water!
- 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.
Helpful Hints for Your Visit
- Trailhead Location: The trailhead is completely unmarked! Park directly across the street from the Storm Mountain Amphitheater & Picnic Area. Look closely at the trees to find the path heading in.
- Turn Around Anytime: The whole trail is beautiful. Don't feel like you must make it to the very end. Remember, going down is often harder than going up, so listen to your body and your gut!
The Trail Scrapbook
A collection of my favorite photos showing the rugged rock walls and waterfalls of Stairs Gulch.
✨ Ask the Trail Guide
Curious about Big Cottonwood Canyon, hiking with poles, or navigating false trails? Ask our AI Guide!
Trust Your Journey
Stairs Gulch is a fantastic reminder that a trail's "difficulty" isn't always just about physical 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!
Sending Love and Positive Vibes,
Shauna @ VRGetaway
.jpg');%20background-position:%20center%20center;%20background-size:%20cover;%20border-radius:%2012px;%20color:%20#888888;%20display:%20flex;%20height:%20350px;%20justify-content:%20center;%20margin:%2020px%200px;%20width:%20100%;)
Social Plugin