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Green Canyon, 02 January, 2023

Eleven Cache Hikers and one Cache Hiker canine had a snowshoe and skiing outing at Green Canyon in North Logan.  Brent L, Dan, Dave P, Dave W, Jane, Laurel, Linda, Michelle, Alex, Gordon, Ralph (trip leader) and Zinnia (dog), 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 skiing, and the single-track is groomed for cycling, snowshoeing, hiking, and running by Nordic United. This is a volunteer group that spends many hours maintaining these in the winter. 

The road and trail were more crowded than usual because of the recent snowfall, and the fact it was the last day of the Christmas-New Year's break for many.  As we worked our way up and back the trail we encountered, bikers, snowshoers, runners, and many happy dogs.  Upon completing our outing, we arrived at a parking lot that had overflowed. Green Canyon was certainly a popular spot on this day.

After pictures at the trailhead the group split with three donning ski’s and heading up the road while the other eight and Zinnia headed up the single track.  The temperature was in the 28 - 30ºF range.  We expected a great winter scene and that is what we got. We continued up the trail stopping occasionally to enjoy the scenery and take pictures. 

The ski group worked their way up the road at about the same pace as the snowshoers, meeting at the points the single track crosses the road.  We stopped for lunch about noon at the fourth crossing about 2.25 miles from the trailhead. 

After lunch, five of the snowshoers turned around and made their way back to the trailhead. The other three snowshoers crossed the road to the south and worked their way up to the next crossing point at about the three-mile point.  After meeting the skiers and spending a few minutes enjoying the view, we all turned around and headed back to the trailhead. The skiers glided down the groomed road arriving at the trailhead long before the snowshoers. The snowshoers arrived at the trailhead at about 1:50 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, 2.25 miles from the trailhead at noon
  • At the turnaround location, 3 miles from the trailhead at 12:40
  • Est. 5.8 miles and 787 feet of elevation change
  • Back at the trailhead at 1:50
  • Cloudy skies, and light snow

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

Green Canyon trailhead

Three Cache Hikers traveled on cross-country skis (left) and seven went by snowshoe (right).  Another hiker successfully "booted" over the packed trail and Zinnia, the dog, went by paw. 


New snow on the trees created a wintry landscape


 The Green Canyon road (left) had been freshly groomed for "classic" and "skate" cross-country skiers, while the single-track trail (right) was groomed for snow bikes and other users

Pole fences and gates helps define the single-track trail

Skiers made a side trip to the Preston Valley trailhead
 A holiday "candy cane" (pipeline vent) near the  road

Lunch


Our GPS track for the single-track trail shows about 5.7 miles and 800 feet of ascent.
You can look at our route using Google Earth or download our GPS file.