Mount Timpanogos – Wasatch Mountains – Utah
Mt Timpanogos is an 11,752 ft peak in the Wasatch Mountain Range that rises above the surrounding Utah and Heber Valleys. Even though the shortest hike to its summit is more than 14 miles, it is one of the most hiked mountain peaks in the Rocky Mountains. The two primary trails to it summit are from Aspen Grove via Provo Canyon and the Alpine Loop near Sundance Resort, and the Timpooneke Campground in American Fork Canyon.
The mountain derives its name from a Native American tribe that inhabited the area around the mountain at the time of the arrival of the Mormon pioneers in Utah.
In addition to being a designated wilderness area, the mountain also hosts a national monument near its base, that was setup to protect beautiful cave system discovered by various individuals between 1887 and 1921.
It has been said that the mountain resembles a sleeping indian princess, and that its a legend that came from local tribes, but its more likely the tale as its known today came from Eugene Lusk “Timp” Roberts, a professor at Brigham Young University, who was trying to promote the mountain to the world. Roberts was also the creator of an annual one day hike that attracted thousands of people between 1911 and 1970. The hiking event was ultimately cancelled due to the damage being done to the mountain over the years.
- A view of Timpanogos from Silver Glance Lake.
- A view of Mt. Timpanogos in winter from Deer Creek Reservoir, near the town of Heber.
- A view of the start of the Aspen Grove trail near Sundance Resort in October, with fall colors near their peak.
- A view of Timpanogos from Squaw Peak Road in the Fall, above Utah Valley and Provo Canyon.
- At the base of Mt Timpanogos in Fall, with Sundance Resort in the distance. Near Aspen Grove Trailhead.
- Wildflowers near Emerald Lake below the summit of Mount Timpanogos near sunset.
Additional Resources:
- Complete Timpanogos Gallery
- Timpanogos Cave National Monument
- Aspen Grove Trailhead Hiking Guide
- After 1,000 trips to the summit of Timpanogos, Ben Woolsey is king of the mountain – Deseret News