| Beus Trail begins with a moderate two-mile hike which changes into a steep, difficult climb from the foothills east of Ogden to the ridge south of Mount Ogden. This is a full day hike.The trail leaves the trailhead towards the mountain. This lower part of the trail climbs to the mouth of Beus Canyon where it intersects with the Bonneville Shoreline Trail going north to Weber State University. The trail continues along Beus Creek until it reaches a small meadow where the canyon forks. This meadow is locally known as Fern Valley for obvious reasons. From here the trail continues on the south fork of the stream until it begins the climb to the ridge between Beus Canyon and Birch Canyon to the south. The trail continues to climb at a steep pitch of 15-percent. It stays in the dry, hot oakbrush hillsides until it reaches timberline. Then the trail goes north into the head of Beus Creek. Rock cairns, mark a route to the saddle south of Mount Ogden with its prominent radio tower. At this saddle, hikers can follow the summer access road into Snowbasin Ski Area.This hike is for visitors enjoy spectacular views! The area has outstanding geologic formations and a bounty of wildflowers throughout the spring and summer season. The local Shoshone Tribe utilized edible plants as well as roots found along this trail. Some of the harvests of the season were dog-tooth violets, Indian potato, wild onions, and camas. The tool used for harvesting roots is a pointed stick called a "Poton". These Native Americans were referred to by the white pioneers as "root diggers".Hiking through the dry scrub oak (Gamble Oak) will give visitors the opportunity to see a variety of birds such as the house finch, rufous-sided towhee, scrub jay, white-crowned sparrow and an occasional hawk or falcon hunting the mountainside. Watch out for rattlesnakes!This difficult 5.6 mile trail gains 4,220 feet in elevations and receives light use. This is an all day hike, so bring plenty of water. |
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