Bonneville
Shoreline Trail (includes the Deer Fence Trail)
- 2 miles from Green Canyon to Logan Canyon
- 3 miles from Dry Canyon to Providence Canyon ("Deer Fence Trail")
- 2 miles from Providence Canyon to Millville Canyon ("Deer Fence Trail")
- 3 mies from Millville Canyon to Blacksmith Fork Canyon ("Deer Fence Trail")
The Bonneville Shoreline Trail system is a "work in progress". The BST is envisioned as a continuous route along the shoreline of prehistoric Lake Bonneville, from the Idaho border to southern Utah county. Since about 2010, local governments have improved existing routes along the Logan foothills as official BST sections. Other sections, like the "Deer Fence Trail" have not been upgraded, but they still are viable routes (see the BST website for more information about plans for these trail sections).
A "true" shoreline trail would be absolutely level, but in Cache Valley the BST follows artificially straight lines running north and south along the foothills, resulting in a vertically undulating path as it cuts across the terrain. The BST is a great alternative hike for spring and fall seasons when upper-elevation trails are muddy, and winter snow depths on the BST seldom are deep enough to require snowshoes or cross-country skis. Cache Valley BST hikers are rewarded with great views of the Wellsville Mountains and interesting rock formations on the hills above.
Four Cache Valley BST sections are described here, from north to south. Hikers must pass through occasional gates on the Deer Fence sections:
1. Green Canyon to Logan Canyon (2 miles). There are three trailheads on this section:
- Green Canyon Trailhead- in North Logan, drive east on 1900 north in Logan to the parking area at mouth of Green Canyon, then hike south on the BST)
- Lindstrom Park Trailhead(Logan) - the access trail starts on the east end of the park, about 1300 N and 1800 E, then uphill across Aspen Drive to the BST
- Logan Canyon Trailhead - starting at Canyon Entrance Park (AKA "First Dam"), walk across Canyon Road and pass through the pedestrian tunnel under US-89
2. Dry Canyon to Providence Canyon (3 miles)
- Dry Canyon Trailhead - drive east on Logan's Center Street, continuing uphill as it changes to Mountain Road to the parking area at the mouth of Dry Canyon, then hike south on this recently-signed BST section (but still known as the "Deer Fence Trail")
- Providence Canyon Trailhead - in Providence, drive south on 100 East and continue as it turns east and changes to Spring Creek Road, on to the parking area at the mouth of the canyon, then hike north on the Deer Fence Trail
3. Providence Canyon to Millville Canyon (2 miles)
- Providence Canyon Trailhead - in Providence, drive south on 100 East and continue as it turns east and changes to Spring Creek Road, on to the parking area at the mouth of the canyon, then hike south on the Deer Fence Trail
- Millville Canyon Trailhead - in Millville, drive east on 300 south, then south on 500 east to the mouth of Millville Canyon, park at the canyon gate, then hike north on the Deer Fence Trail
4. Millville Canyon to Blacksmith Fork (3 miles)
- Millville Canyon Trailhead - in Millville, drive east on 300 south, then south on 500 east to the mouth of Millville Canyon, park at the canyon gate and cross the pole fence to the south, then hike south on the Deer Fence Trail
- Blacksmith Fork Canyon - drive east on the Blacksmith Fork Canyon Road, UT 101, and park in the designated area on the north side of the road, just after crossing the Blacksmith Fork. Walk north through the pole fence, carefully step over the spring-fed stream, go through the metal gate and hike north on the Deer Fence Trail.