UT · Ogden Foothills · Completed
Waterfall Canyon Pond Loop Family Hike
Waterfall Canyon Via Pond Loop
Trail notes
The whole family completed the Waterfall Canyon Via Pond Loop on June 30, 2026. We started around 8:00 AM, followed the AllTrails loop, and skipped the waterfall offshoot this time. The hike took about 1 hour 21 minutes total with roughly 1 hour 15 minutes moving time, covering 3.11 miles and 676 feet of gain. The route felt like a perfect first Utah hike for the kids and the whole family: gradual climbing, mostly maintained gravel, some larger rocky sections, and excellent views over the valley from the top.
Conditions: Very temperate and pleasant, with a mix of sun and cloud cover. The route had a good blend of shaded and exposed sections, no bugs, easy parking with multiple open spaces, and open, clean, well-maintained bathrooms.
Route highlights
- 29th Street Trailhead — Start/end area. Parking was easy around 8:00 AM with multiple open spaces, and the bathrooms were open, clean, and well maintained.
- Pond Loop Route — The family stayed on the AllTrails loop and skipped the waterfall offshoot. The route was a strong first Utah hike and a confidence builder for the kids.
- Valley Viewpoint — Best scenic payoff: views over the valley near the top of the hike, with a nice breeze and excellent photo opportunities.
- Mixed Trail Surface — Mostly maintained, relatively smooth gravel with larger rocky sections throughout. The elevation gain felt gradual through the first half.
Trail video
Watch the adventure
Official vs. Turner Recording
| Detail | Official / AllTrails | Turner Recording |
|---|---|---|
| Trail name | Waterfall Canyon Via Pond Loop | Waterfall Canyon Pond Loop Family Hike |
| Area | Ogden Foothills, UT | Ogden Foothills, UT |
| Land manager | Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest | Same trail area |
| Route | Loop | Completed route |
| Difficulty / family fit | Moderate | Kid friendly |
| Distance | 2.7 mi | 3.1 mi |
| Elevation gain | 521 ft gain | 676 ft gain |
| Time | 1 hr 19 min | 1 hr 21 min total · 1 hr 15 min moving |
| Date | Not applicable | Jun 30, 2026 |
After Action Report
Field report
Why did we choose this hike?
We chose Waterfall Canyon Via Pond Loop as our first family hike after getting to Utah. It looked like a manageable Ogden foothills loop that could build confidence for the kids and the whole family.
Who went and what did each person wear/carry?
The whole family went: Clay, Jules, and the three boys. Specific clothing, shoes, packs, water, and carried gear were not captured in this AAR.
When did we go and what were the conditions?
We completed the hike on June 30, 2026, starting around 8:00 AM. The weather was very temperate and nice, with sun and cloud cover. The trail had a good mix of shaded and exposed sections. There were no bugs, and we did not bring bug spray. Parking was easy with multiple open spots, and the bathrooms were open, clean, and well maintained.
Where did we start, which direction did we go, and how long did it take?
We started at the 29th Street Trailhead area around 8:00 AM and stuck to the AllTrails loop route. Total time was about 1 hour 21 minutes, with about 1 hour 15 minutes of moving time. The recorded distance was 3.11 miles with 676 feet of elevation gain.
What was the route actually like?
We did the loop only and did not take the waterfall offshoot. The trail surface was maintained and relatively smooth gravel for most of the route, with sections of larger rocks throughout. The elevation was gradual through the first half, and the trail did not feel overly difficult.
What was the biggest scenic payoff?
The biggest payoff was the view near the top overlooking the valley. It was very nice, there was a good breeze, and it created great photo opportunities.
What was the hardest part?
There was no major hard part. The trail was not overly difficult, and the first-half elevation gain felt gradual.
What gear mattered most?
No specific gear successes or failures were captured. Bug spray was not needed on this trip.
What food and water did we bring/use?
Food and water details were not captured in this AAR.
Is this good for kids/families?
This was a great, almost perfect first hike for our kids and for the family after getting to Utah. It was a strong confidence boost for everyone.
What section would we repeat or skip?
We would repeat the loop and plan to return to complete the waterfall offshoot in the future.
What would we do differently next time?
Next time, we would add the waterfall offshoot after using this first loop as a successful baseline.
Would we do it again?
Yes. We would absolutely do it again and plan to come back for the waterfall offshoot.
Turner Tornado verdict.
Perfect first Utah family hike: manageable, scenic, confidence-building, and worth repeating with the waterfall offshoot next time.