The Wasatch Mountains are chock full of hiking trails, but not many of them are as full of history as Cardiff Fork. These mountains were used for mining in the 1800s instead of outdoor recreation, and the relics of those times still remain. If you know where to look in Cardiff Fork, you can see several artifacts, including one of the largest remaining structures at the old Cardiff Mine – the Ore Bin.
The hike to the Ore Bin shares a trailhead with Doughnut Falls. But instead of following the masses up the narrow Doughnut Falls trail, you instead hike up the old 4×4 road located on the west side of the canyon. The road contours under the east flank of Kessler Peak as it heads up the canyon. Along the way, you’ll pass mining history like ore tailings, tunnels and rusty metal overgrown with brush.
The Ore Bin is about 2.5 miles up the canyon, surrounded by massive mine tailings piled up along the trail. It’s an impressive structure and one of the few remaining buildings in the Wasatch from that era dating back to the late 1800s. It’s a good destination to end your hike, or you can keep going up all the way to Cardiff Pass, but the trail becomes more rugged and steep beyond the mine.
An unusual aspect about hiking in Cardiff Fork is that the trail crosses both public and private lands. There have been misunderstandings where outdoor enthusiasts who come to enjoy the mountains don’t realize when they see ATVs or pickup trucks in the backcountry that they are actually on private land and that those are private property owners. So a few years ago, the Forest Service and property owners came to an agreement that allows people to cross through, as long as they respect private property rights. But the agreement can be rescinded, as it’s on a trial basis. So be respectful so we can keep the canyon open for all to enjoy.
Hiking to the Cardiff Mine is rated as NTD. It’s 5 miles round trip with only 1,350 feet of elevation gain. To get to the Cardiff Fork Trail, drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon Road for 9 miles, then turn right at Cardiff Fork. From there, it’s about a mile to the trailhead.