Lisa Falls to Tanner’s Flat is a shady trail that has views of Little Cottonwood Creek. There are occasional hikers and mountain bikers, but is mostly a quieter trail.
I saw lizards, birds, butterflies, and squirrels along this trail.
Directions
This trail begins across the street from Lisa Falls. It is only 0.3 miles to visit the falls.
For this trail you will go to the pullout on the south side of the road. Once you walk past the cars you will see the trailhead and a few stairs to get down to it.
almost right away you can head to the right and head towards the creek or go straight. Many people head right and just make the water their destination.
Little Cottonwood Canyon is a watershed so you cannot play in the water. In the spring and early summer the water is flowing too quickly to be safe anyway. Little Cottonwood Creek is beautiful!
Continue around the loop through the trees.
This path joins the main trail.
if instead you had opted to go straight, here is that trail.
After the two trails merge it continues up a gradual incline.
Soon you come to the ruins of a power plant. There is some info attached to a tree.
The trail heads up and gets higher, with some boulders.
The river is below you.
There is a waterfall in Little Coytonwood Creek at this part.
The trail goes uphill through the trees.
This trail is so shady almost the entire way! At this point it heads left further away from the water
Right near the other end there is a shallow stream of water. There are rocks to step over it.
Tanners Flat Campground isn’t an exciting destination, but this is still a nice trail throughout.
You can turn around and return the way you came. Here are a few more pictures from this hike.
Stats: Distance – 3.4 miles roundtrip (easily shortened)
Approximate hiking time – 1-2 hours
Elevation gain – 777 feet
Difficulty – Moderate
Trail – well maintained trail of dirt and rocks
Bathrooms – Yes, at Tanners Flat Campground
Seasons to hike – May-October
Permits needed – None
Pets allowed – No
Other trails nearby are Gloria Falls, Albion Meadows, Rocky Mouth Falls, and Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge.
