| Smithfield
Canyon's a hidden recreational treasure
By Kathryn Kemp
September 25, 2005 | SMITHFIELD --
Camping, hiking, biking, and bonfires
are all common activities here in Cache Valley where
you can get to three or four different canyons with
just a 15 minute drive. But there is one small canyon
that a lot of people may not think about when they're
deciding on an outdoor adventure, and that is Smithfield
Canyon.
"It's kind of a hidden canyon," said Tailona Johnson,
a resident of North Logan and a Utah State University
student. The trailhead is located at Center St. and
300 East in Smithfield and there are homes along the
road on the way up to it, so there isn't an obvious
entrance like there is in Logan Canyon.
"A lot of people go there to party," Johnson said,
but Mark Rasmuson, a resident of Smithfield who lives
near the canyon, says that there is probably more partying
in Logan Canyon, simply for the fact that there are
more places and campsites to go to in Logan Canyon.
And there are many more things to do in the canyon than
just party.
Rasmuson enjoys camping there, and said he probably
camped there about five times this past summer. "The
best camp spots are way far up, past the mines," he
said. He does, however recommend the use of a truck,
because smaller cars don't handle the rough road very
well. He said there are fewer campsites, and they aren't
as big as the ones you might find in other canyons,
but most of them run along a creek, which makes them
just as nice. "And it's usually not as crowded," he
said.
There is also a mountain biking trail that is approximately
16 miles long, round trip. As far as hiking goes, there
is a trail that allows you to hike (or horseback ride
if you prefer) all the way from Tony Grove in Logan
Canyon to Smithfield Canyon. It's a long hike, Rasmuson
says, but it can be fun.
Clark Johnson, a USU student from Delta, Utah, goes
to Smithfield Canyon to shoot clay pigeons. "It's the
only legal place that I know of to do it," he said.
Shooting clay pigeons is the only activity Johnson has
done in Smithfield Canyon, and says that although he'd
probably choose Green Canyon for his other activities,
"it's a pretty nice place."
Just like any other canyon though, Smithfield Canyon
has its downfalls and dangers. The road through the
canyon is small, and it is windy, bumpy, and dangerous.
"You have to watch; the curves just jump out at you,"
said Tailona Johnson. She and Rasmuson both said that
there have been injuries and deaths on the roads due
to people driving too fast, or trying to jump their
car across the road instead of following a curve, what
Johnson called, "jumping the gap." It's just important
to be careful and be smart.
Finally, if the camping and hiking don't appeal to
you, if you don't like to shoot clay pigeons, and if
the lack of crowds doesn't convince you that it's worth
checking out, maybe this will: Rasmuson says that in
Smithfield Canyon you still get cell phone service.
NW
MS |
