HIKING OGDEN: The Indian Trail
Published On: April 9, 2016 Posted by: Jeremy Peterson
Ogden has an enormous network of hiking and biking trails just east of the city. One of the great things about living in Ogden is its quick access to recreation and outdoor fun. One trail that doesn’t receive a lot of traffic and offers some great views is the Indian Trail.
The Indian Trail can be an out and back trip but is much more satisfying as a shuttle. Park one vehicle at the trail head located at the top of 22nd Street. Then, shuttle yourself and your hiking buddies in your second vehicle to the trail head located about 1 mile up Ogden Canyon. Your landmark will be a giant lime kiln next to a small dirt parking lot. Keep a good look out since the entrance to the parking lot is obscured by grass and you may overshoot it.
The trail begins up a series of well groomed switchbacks in pine.
The trail follows Coldwater Creek up the aptly named Coldwater Canyon.
Spring was taking hold during this early April hike.
The trail ascends to a rocky vantage point along the ridge west of Coldwater Canyon. My girls were real troopers.
After peaking near a breezy ridge, the descent becomes quite scenic and offers a variety of vistas.
One of the more harrowing moments for the kids was crossing this snow field. It sits on a loose talus field so our options were to slip in the slushy snow or lose our footing in the talus. It took the kids a few minutes to gain their confidence but we ultimately made it across without falling.
A great view of Ogden with the trail clearly visible on the ridge.
The trail ultimately finds its way back to the valley as the trail descends back to 22nd St. where your second car should be waiting for you. Overall, the trip is about 4 miles one way and gains about 1,300 feet in elevation at its peak. Our family had a great time experiencing the outdoors just a couple miles from our home.
