“This byway provides spectacular scenery and access to great recreational areas. It begins at the mouth of the canyon on the east edge of Logan, Utah. Visitors to this picturesque northern Utah town will also find the fully operational turn-of-the-century Jensen Farm, as well as modern cheese factories, and the resident Utah Festival Opera Company. Logan Canyon is host to summer and winter recreationalists alike who find activities like hiking, camping, fishing, snowmobiling, skiing, and hunting.

Deeply cut, nearly vertical limestone walls and rock formations laden with fossils greet travelers entering the canyon. The Logan River, popular for trout fishing, parallels the route, offering yet another reason to stop and spend some time. As autumn approaches, lush greens of this high mountain passage tipped with brilliant gold, red and yellow can be seen throughout the route. The route explores the spectacular Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

A steady climb to the summit results in a sweeping view of the unique turquoise water of 20-mile-long Bear Lake.” *

Postcard of Ricks Spring, Logan Canyon, 1935

Ricks Spring

Ricks Spring 

About 16 miles from the entrance of Logan Canyon you’ll find Ricks Spring just off the side of the road. This small spring is a popular stop for many on their way to Bear Lake. Being the more well-known of the other springs in the area, Ricks Spring is not a natural or artesian source spring. The water originates from the Logan River farther up the Canyon.

When this spring was first found, many drank of its water freely assuming it was clean of impurities. However, this attitude changed when those that drank came down with giardia. If not from an underground aquifer, then how did they discover that the river was feeding the spring.

The mystery started coming clear in the 1950’s when hydrogeologists noticed similar water fluctuations when comparing the spring with the Logan River. Furthermore, a harsh winter and the observed melting of the river ice lead to increases speculation of the connection between the two.

Finally, dye tracing was used to confirm everyone’s suspicion. The Logan River was the source of Ricks Spring. Further dye tracing lead to the discovery that the water leading to the spring was not just from the Logan River but actually a mass of smaller streams including Tony’s Grove Lake feed into the underground network of water.

Much of the underwater network of tunnels can be accessed with scuba gear. One such diver gives us a first-person perspective of the watery maze:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4dDyPVBd7c