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| | Mount Timpanogos Loop, UT | | | |
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Mount Timpanogos Loop, UT
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| Hiking | 19.00 Miles |
5,800 AEG |
| | Hiking | 19.00 Miles | 8 Hrs 27 Mns | | 2.39 mph |
| 5,800 ft AEG | 30 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Mount Timpanogos has been on my mind and with summer winding down I decided the time was right. I booked a flight for a long weekend and flew to Salt Lake City. I would rent a car and got an Airbnb in Murrary, UT. I woke on Friday morning around 6am Mountain Time and headed for the Timpooneke Trailhead. You need a permit on the weekend but it’s open during the week. I would arrive just before 7am and I geared up and headed in. My plan was to summit via the Timooneke Trail and then descend the Mount Timpanogos Trail, which leads to the Aspen Grove Trailhead, and then piece together a loop with some side trails. This worked out splendidly!
The trail starts with a steady climb as you follow a well defined trail. The trees were turning and fall colors were sporadic throughout the entire day. I headed up and this section of trail reminded me of Mount Wrightson in southern Az. It’s very steady as you work your way up switchbacks and have big views along the way. There were a lot of people out but I never felt overwhelmed by the crowds. I would continue up and things levels off when I reached the Timpanogos Basin which sits at roughly 10,400ft. You’re above the tree line and can see the saddle up ahead. Just below the saddle is the junction with the Mount Timpanogos Trail. My route I’ll be returning on later.
I would continue up and eventually hit the saddle where a few groups were taking a break before starting the final push to the summit. I kept at it and absolutely loved the final stretch. The trail has some exposure as it winds and has switchbacks as you climb up. There are a few easy scrambles but nothing overwhelming. With some effort I topped out and enjoyed the views. It was cold and windy and the views were incredible! I got my summit pic and then decided to start my return. I took a slightly different route down as I stayed on the ridge for a bit and then took the trail the rest of the way. I would pass the saddle and then connected onto the Mount Timpanogos Trail.
The descent went well as I dropped down and initially passed through a rocky section. Route finding would be difficult in the dark but not an issue at this time. I arrived at the shelter by Emerald Lake and was delighted to see a family of Mountain Goats that were grazing and didn’t care about the people in the area. I would continue down and then start the large switchbacks in the Primrose Cirque. This section took some work and I was glad I wasn’t climbing up this. I took my time as I descended and passed Timpanogos Falls.
Soon after I arrived at the junction with the Lame Horse Trail and would head left on it to start the final stretch of my loop. I did some hasty research beforehand and just found out this section is dirt bike friendly. I thought that’s a good thing because I knew the trail should be free of deadfall and relatively easy to follow. Spoiler, I didn’t encounter any dirt bikes. I would continue on as this section climbs roughly 900ft. My legs were feeling it and I set a steady pace. I would take a break at the top and ate my sandwich. The rest of the hike blurred by and I found my way back to the Timpooneke Trailhead the end of my hike.
This was an amazing day and the loop turned out to be fantastic! I would highly recommend it because it adds a lot of variety and only adds about five miles onto the standard out and back. And on another note, you can park at the Horse Flat Trailhead. It can be an option on a busy weekend where you can’t get a permit.
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Route Editor
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