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Spawn Creek, 28 September, 2025

Fourteen Cache Hikers left Logan shortly after 8 AM for a fall hike: Bruce, Brent L., Dave P., Jane, Jim, Kamren, Laurel, Linda, Nancy, Ralph, Richard, Sue, Susan (leader), and Teresa. The group began the hike from the Worm Fence / Spawn Creek trailhead parking area. An additional hiker stayed behind to
perform weed management in the Temple Fork area.

The forecast called for a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon, but skies remained mostly cloudy with some sun for the duration of the hike. Temperatures overall were pleasant.

Beavers had been busy upgrading some of the pond dams along the trail making each trip to this trail a delightfully different experience! 

Bigtooth maple and aspen as well as mountain ash (in fruit) and other shrubs were well into their yellow, orange, and red fall colors. Berries were abundant along the trail. These included chokecherries, elderberries, and some tasty but shriveling serviceberries. As usual, we stopped briefly to look at the old mill site.

Evidence of mountain bike trail enhancements was observed. Several jumps had been established, and vegetation cleared along the trail edges. No other hikers or bikers were encountered during this hike.

Upon arrival at Temple Aspen Spring, a few hikers climbed down into the drainage and noted water seeping from the spring. Hikers ate lunch next to the trail above the spring. The return descent was through lovely fall foliage along a sequence of beaver ponds with views of distant slopes covered with great fall color.

Overall, a lovely fall hike!

Trip Summary:
  • Fourteen hikers: Bruce, Brent L., Dave P., Jane, Jim, Kamren, Laurel, Linda, Nancy, Ralph, Richard, Sue, Susan (leader), and Teresa
  • Left Logan about 8:05 AM and drove 19 miles to the trailhead with a brief delay at the lower canyon construction traffic light
  • Began hiking about 8:55 AM,  lunch at Temple Aspen Spring from about 11:00-11:25 AM
  • Arrived back at the trailhead at 1 PM and in Logan around 1:45 PM following a short delay at the lower canyon construction traffic light
  • Mostly cloudy with a few patches of sun and calm with occasional light breeze, mild temperatures at the start and a bit warmer at the finish
  • Hiked about 6 miles with about 1700 feet ascent and descent
  • Great fall color

Thanks to Susan for the narrative and photos, Jane, Brent, Dave W, Richart and Dave P for photos, and Ralph for photos and GPS data.


Spawn Creek trailhead
Did the dry summer cause these aspen leaves to turn red?  (Aspen leaves usually are yellow-gold in fall). 

Hiking up the trail, along the buck-and-rail fence that keeps cattle away from Spawn Creek


Spawn creek has many beaver ponds 
On the Spawn Creek Trail

Trail improvements help hikers cross this wet area
Maple trees provide trailside color


Familiar sights:  the "tuning fork tree" (left) and "castle rocks" right

Inspecting equipment footings and anchor bolts at this historic sawmill site

Lunch near Temple Aspen Spring
Several hikers (left) went down to see where water emerged from the ground at Temple Aspen Spring (right)

The Forest Service cut these conifer trees to improve habitat for aspens 


Bigtooth maple
 Hoary aster


Showy goldeneye
 Chokecherry


Elderberry
 Geranium
Woods rose
 Colorful leaves

Our GPS track shows about 6 miles and 1700 feet of ascent.
You can look at our route using Google Earth or download our GPS file.