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Nielson's Well, 24 May, 2026

Nineteen hikers departed Smith's around 8:10 a.m. and met at the Blind Hollow trailhead shortly after 8:30 a.m.  The relatively cool temperature and partly cloudy skies were welcomed as the group climbed the steep embankment across from the trailhead to reach the meadows leading to Blind Hollow.  Part-way up the hollow, the group unexpectedly picked up an extra hiker who had driven from Bear Lake to meet the group on the trail - making a group of 20.

Despite the dry winter, water was seen flowing intermittently in the creek much earlier in the hike than some expected.  Some wild flowers and shrubs were in bloom, including bluebells, larkspur, waterleaf, chokecherry, spring beauty, a couple glacier lilies, Clematis, and a few small patches of snow.  As the group ventured further into the hollow, they began to see evidence of recently downed trees; small and large, that were the result of recent wind events in Logan Canyon.  Some were sheared off of their base while others were downed at their roots.  The group had to duck under, climb over, or skirt around many of the trees that had fallen across the trail.  These "trail acrobatics" worsened when the group turned off the main trail towards the ridge.  Detours around trail blockages became more frequent and more difficult.  One hiker was eager to visit Nielson's Well, but was short on time.  A few veterans of the hike ventured ahead to show the location of the well to the individual so they could return to the trailhead early.

Hikers re-grouped at the meadow on the ridge around 11 a.m. and met with the small group that had ventured ahead.  The time-constrained hiker took their leave from the group and the remainder took a quick detour to admire Nielson's Well before stopping for lunch.

At 11:30 a.m., the group chose the familiar rock outcropping just west of the meadow on the ridge as their lunch spot.  Clouds were clearing and the temperature was now 71 degrees.  The group finished lunch at 11:50 a.m. and packed up to return to the trailhead.  Four hikers decided to stay behind to explore areas on the ridge while the remainder of the group descended the hollow to the trailhead.  The group reached the trailhead at 1:40 p.m. with a temperature of 77 degrees.

Keeping with the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988 (https://www.congress.gov/bill/100th-congress/house-bill/1975) we will not post GPS coordinates of this route.

Trip Summary:
  • Participants: Brent J, Brent L, Bree (& Khan), Bruce, Kamren, Dan, Darcie, Dave P, David, Deb, Jack, Jane, Jo, Madhavan, Michelle, Ocean, Ralph, Stephanie, Sue, Susan
  • Drove 15 miles to the Blind Hollow trailhead
  • Started hiking at 8:33 a.m. lunch 11:30 a.m., back at the  trailhead 1:40 p.m
  • Partly cloudy skies, temperatures ranged from 61 ºF to 77 ºF
  • 6.5 miles and 1900 feet elevation gain

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


On the lower Blind Hollow Trail

"Nielson's Well"

Lunch


Fallen trees over the trail
 Water running down Blind Hollow

Morel?
 Glacier lily

Serviceberry
 Valarian


Biscuitroot
 Paintbrush

Stoneseed Wallflower

Balsamroot
.Keeping with the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988 (https://www.congress.gov/bill/100th-congress/house-bill/1975) we will not be posting GPS coordinates of this route