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SALT LAKE CITY — The Fernwood-Adams Canyon section of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail is popular with local hikers, mountain bikers and trail runners — and for good reason. This moderate trail offers spectacular views of Davis County and the Great Salt Lake, alternating with up-close views of picturesque creeks and wildflowers.
This trail cuts across the mountain from north to south, beginning at Fernwood Picnic Area and connecting with the Adams Canyon Trail about two miles away. The dirt trail is mostly flat and wide, with occasional hills. There is about 200-foot difference between the minimum and maximum elevation.
The trailhead is located just east of Highway 89 in Layton. Heading north on Highway 89, turn right onto Cherry Lane, then left onto Valley View Drive. After about .5 miles, turn right onto Fernwood Drive. Follow Fernwood Drive up the hill, turning right at the fork. Fernwood Drive ends at Fernwood Picnic Area. Fernwood Picnic Area is known as Fernwood Recreation Site in Google Maps.
Inside the picnic area, follow the road up and to the left to reach the main parking lot. The lot accommodates about 20 vehicles. Some additional parking and trailer parking can be found elsewhere in the picnic area. This trail can be done in reverse from Adams Canyon. The Adams Canyon trailhead has its own parking about 2 miles south. This lot is visible from Highway 89.
The first part of the of the trail is shaded by Gambel Oak and Bigtooth Maple, which will likely make this an especially lovely path when the leaves change in the fall. The trail crosses three small creeks in the first half-mile. There are bridges over the first two, but no bridge over the third. This creek is slow and shallow by May, and hikers can avoid wet feet by crossing on the rocks in the water.
The trail then climbs to the top of a small hill and into a meadow, where the terrain is mostly flat. From here, all of Layton, as well as surrounding communities and the Great Salt Lake can be seen. The trail looks down on several neighborhoods. It's easy to spot Hill Air Force Base to the north and it can be fun to watch jets take off and head across the lake to the desert. Much of this section of the trail is exposed, which will make it more challenging on hot days. Be sure to wear sunscreen and carry adequate water.
In the spring, wildflowers of many types can be seen along the entire Fernwood-Adams Canyon trail. Shades of yellow, purple, blue, pink, red and white decorate the landscape with both gentle and vibrant hues.
The Bonneville Shoreline Trail is a trail system in progress, which may eventually stretch 280 miles from the Utah-Idaho border to Nephi. The route roughly follows the bench along the mountainside that was created by ancient Lake Bonneville. Currently, about 100 miles of trails have been designated as part of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.
For more information about the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, visit www.bonnevilleshorelinetrail.org.
Allison Laypath is an expert on family travel and author of the family travel blog tipsforfamilytrips.com. With her family, Allison especially enjoys road trips, national parks and local field trips. Email Allison at allison@tipsforfamilytrips.com.
