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Green Canyon, 1 January, 2024

Nine Cache Hikers attended a hiking and ski outing at Green Canyon in North Logan.  Brent J, Chris, Dan, Dave P, Dave W, Jane, Rose, Susan, and Ralph (trip leader), met at the Smith’s Marketplace parking lot on Main Street and carpooled to the Green Canyon Trailhead parking lot at the first gate (closed in winter months).

Green Canyon is a popular spot, particularly in the winter months. There is a single-track trail starting at the trailhead that runs roughly parallel to the forest road, crossing it in several spots as you proceed up the canyon. The forest road is groomed for skate and classic cross-country skiing, and the single-track is groomed by Nordic United for cycling, snowshoeing, hiking, and running (Nordic United is a volunteer group that spends many hours maintaining trails for winter recreation).

The road and single-track trail were both packed and well groomed.  None of the hikers donned snowshoes as the trail was firm enough for boots.  The road had several skiers, including one of our own, and we encountered several runners, hikers, and a fair number of bikers.

After taking pictures at the trailhead the group split with one donning skis and heading up the road while the other eight headed up the single track.  The temperature was in the 15 - 20ºF range.  Despite the low amount of snowfall for the season, we did get a nice winter scene as Green Canyon is situated such that it gets minimal sun in winter.  We continued up the trail stopping occasionally to enjoy the scenery and take pictures.

The skier worked his way up the road at about the same pace as the hikers, meeting at the points the single track crosses the road.  We stopped for lunch at a sunny meadow about 3-¼ miles from the trailhead.

After lunch, we turned around and made our way back to the trailhead. The skier descended quickly down the road and waited in a sunny spot while the hikers made their way down.  About a half mile from the trailhead, we stopped where Dave thought an invasive shrub that had been previously identified.  We were unable to locate it, however.  Maybe a spring visit will result in a find.  We then proceeded the final distance to the trailhead, arriving at about 1:30 and carpooled back to Smith’s Marketplace.

Trip Summary:
  • Organized carpools and drove 4.7 miles to Green Canyon and started from the first gate parking lot at 10:30 a.m.
  • At the lunch spot, 3.25 miles from the trailhead at noon
  • Est. 6.3 miles and 850 feet of elevation change
  • Back at the trailhead at 1:30
  • Clear skies and calm winds

Thanks to Ralph for the narrative, Ralph and Jane for photos and Ralph and Dave for GPS data.


At the Green Canyon trailhead

Skier on the groomed ski track, as seen from the groomed "single track"


A crossing where the two trails meet
 Hikers on the single track

A glimpse of sunshine ahead


Sunshine made it down to both the singletrack and the ski trail where the canyon turned to the north

Lunch in the sun

Our GPS track shows about 6.3 miles and 850 feet of ascent.
You can look at our route using Google Earth or download our GPS file.