North Arm Trailhead

Pineview West Trail

Welcome to the trail!

It felt fitting that my first featured trail of this newsletter be the first hike I discovered after moving to Eden in 2015. Callie was not quite 2 and “Baby Dos” was still cookin’. We strolled on the bike path from our house to the trailhead and instantly fell in love. She threw rocks in the river and ran along the boardwalk and I basked in the feeling of being in the mountains while actually remaining in “town”. Since then, our family has hiked here countless times in every season and there’s always something noteworthy to see or hear along the way. It absolutely falls in the favorite category for me, and I hope you and your tykes will enjoy it, too.

So, without further ado, I present to you: the “North Arm Trail” (you’ll hear it called that most often, though the technical name is the Pineview West Trail from the North Arm Trailhead).

How to get there

The parking lot for the trailhead is located here, immediately after the Y intersection off Highway 158 when you’re coming from the Valley Market in the middle of Eden. It’s a big lot and I’ve never seen it full, so you shouldn’t have to worry about parking. There are two vault toilets available at this trailhead.

Trail at a glance

Total distance: 0.6 miles one way (1.2 miles round trip out and back)

Destination: bench overlooking the reservoir

Tyke perks: boardwalks, bridges, snail shells, acorns, stick hut, branch “tunnel”, bench, overlook

Notable flora: aspens, scrub oak, bluebells, dandelions

Fascinating fauna: chipmunks, butterflies, dragonflies, birds (robins, chickadees, geese, ducks, pelicans, herons, cranes, owls, osprey), snakes (garter), frogs

Watch out for: mountain bikers, runners

While you’re hiking

The trail starts at the South end of the parking lot. (Note: if you’re looking toward Pineview Reservoir, you’re looking South.) Start walking along the the trail and cross the short boardwalk. (Note: just past this first boardwalk the trail conditions vary from dry to muddy to ankle deep standing water when runoff from the mountains is high. People usually rig up rocks or drag logs to bridge across when it’s puddly, but just be aware, you may get wet feet!)

Soon you’ll come to the first bridge 0.1 miles from the start. (Note: this was recently raised and leveled but does not as yet have railings, so just hold little hands as you walk across the stream.) Follow the trail through some trees till you come to the big bridge across the North Fork of the Ogden River. This is a beautiful new bridge that was installed in 2019 after the old one was washed out a couple of years before that. Depending on the season, you’ll find nearly dry ground underneath or a rushing river swelling the banks (there are often sandbags to keep things flowing in a productive direction). This could be a fun place to play a quick game of “Poohsticks”.

After you cross the bridge, follow the trail to the longer, winding boardwalk. (Note: watch out for loose or decaying boards along the edges, but as long as you stay in the center, you’ll be just fine.)

At the end of the boardwalk you’ll turn toward the South and start a slight incline on a dirt trail. In about 0.2 miles the trail will bend to the right and you’ll see a log retaining wall on the uphill (right) side of the trail. You’ll see your first views of the lake right about now. This stretch from boardwalk to bend is a great place for your tykes to put their detective skills to work by searching the ground on the uphill side of the trail for empty snail shells.

You’re now entering my favorite stretch of the hike! Keep walking another 0.1 mile and you’ll encounter a stick hut built by some crafty hikers downhill to the left of the main trail. The hut makes a fun spot to play and rest in the shade for a moment, or maybe your crew is ready to make this their destination. That’s perfect! Follow your kid’s lead; there is no single right way to hike with a tyke, and I’ve learned when the tyke is a happy hiker, the parent is, too.

If you choose to continue hiking after your pit stop at the hut, you’re only about 0.1 mile from the overlook bench. There’s even one more bridge to cross before you get there! Soon you’ll see a short trail branch left to a wide area with a fairly open view of the North Arm of Pineview and a bench nestled near a tree. You made it! Break out the snacks and have a seat while you enjoy the wildlife on and around the water. On our latest visit to this spot, we heard and/or saw frogs, songbirds, great blue herons, pelicans, osprey, ducks, geese, and butterflies! Also see if your Valley Elementary students can spot their school across the way.

When you’re ready, head back the way you came to the parking lot. Way to go! I hope you and your tyke have caught the hiking bug, and I hope to see you back here next time for another adventure! Happy trails!