Cascade Springs

Approaching the upper Springs from below

Directions:  Alpine Scenic Loop up American Fork canyon ( or you can come up from Provo Canyon), take the Cascade Spring turn off, If you have not been on the Alpine loop be forewarned that it is veryt narrow in some places, while a great motorcycle ride sometimes you may be cut off by trucks, cars or vehicles with trailers (which over 30 feet - not recommended)
this road is a popular scenic road /Sunday drive type road that is especially popular in the fall. If you or others in your car are prone to motion sickness, you may want to prepare for the possibility of someone getting sick as it is also very a very winding road.
There is an upper and lower parking lot.
Cost: National Parks pass or current fee ($6.00 per Sept of 2013)

waterfalls in the lower Spring area

Difficulty: Easy, Wheel chair accessible ( for the most part flat and a bit steep in a few places).
Mostly paved or boardwalk. (some of the asphalt is a little broken up by some trees and it is narrow in some places. There are some rock stairs - which are beautiful.
Overall this is a wonderful hike for people of all ages and abilities.

Duration:  .6 miles, minimal elevation
Stay however long you want as you can be as hurried or leisurely as you want.
If you park at the upper parking lot you will come in on the wide open end at the top of the spring.  This part is very serene and relaxing.
If you come up from the bottom parking lot the terrain is a little more uneven and the falls are spectacular and make a wonderful gurgling, rushing sound.
The whole trail is marked with educational plaques so you can learn much of the area, flora, fauna and wildlife, history, geology and other interesting information.
You will be able to see the brown trout in the clear waters and maybe some mink, birds, squirrels or other little critters. There are abundant flowers and plants of all kinds.

Sunday afternoon visitors early fall on the Boardwalk

Tips: This is a good one to do in conjunction with some other Alpine Loop trail or if you are in the area, camping or ATV'ing since its such a short hike to just drive up for that alone.  It is a beautiful  little hike and well worth it to go in and of itself.
Its a very relaxing place and nice to take pictures.
Bridal Veil Falls is on the way if you are coming up from or going back through the Provo area.

lower Springs area looking up through some trees

Bug spray would be advisable and the park closes at dusk!
No picknicking in the area, no fishing and no wading allowed.
This is a very beautiful area as noted by the numerous photographers we saw there, but you can enjoy it for its relaxing nature, beauty and pure water.
Drinking fountains available with delicious water!

delicious spring water (pretty sure about that)

If you want to take a longer scenic drive you can continue to head East, up and over into Heber Valley, visiting Midway on the way home or go back the way you came enjoying the Alpine Loop.

Cecret Lake (Secret Lake)

Directions: Top of Alta / Little Cottonwood Canyon, parking by the Albion Basin Campground.

Difficulty: Easy, dirt and rock path up to a mountain lake. No swimming, pets or fishing. 1.2 miles, 450 elevation. While its pretty simple, well maintained trail, it is challenging enough to give you a basic workout and make the kids feel like they got a really good mountain hiking adventure.

Durations: from parking lot to parking lot - about 1 1/2 hour, with a stop at the top for snacks and pix. if you go on a weekend or holiday you may have to park a little further out and walk up the campground where the trail head starts by a little footbridge.

Tips: Good picnic place, good family hike, awesome in mid to late summer, may still be some snow and lots of beautiful mountain wildflowers. Beautiful also in the fall, be prepared for really cool temperatures up in the higher elevations, be prepared with layers, sunscreen, water, treats - depending on the time of year.

What may look like a terrible day in the valley could possibly be an awesome day in the mountains....
likewise ...
what looks like a great day in the valley might be kind of dangerous weather up in the higher elevations. Check weather before heading out and be prepared with appropriate clothing and supplies... even for short hikes.


Pictures coming later this week !

Huntington Lake, Miller Flat and Joe's Valley

Miller Flat Lake  // waterful nearby.... Skyline Drive Trail - late June

Mountain flowers with small spider... a trail with summer flowers... liatris flowers

Directions: Fairview 16 miles East on UT 31, South on Miller Flat Road, park anyhwere or pick a campsite and stay a couple days. Campsites are open, roomy and plentiful. There are ample places and trail to ride bikes, ATV's, fish and hike. The whole area is very beautiful. 
Distance: trail -  as long or short as you want them to be. Hooks into Skyline Drive trail.
Fishing available in several lakes
Difficulty: pretty normal
High Altitudes in even late june can be cold (see the snow on the upper picture - if out on an ATV plan to have appropriate clothing (windbreaker, fleece, wool, coat, gloves, hat would be good)
lower elevations are warm so layering is good. 
If you like flowers and trees, bring a book to identify them - they are plentiful as are small lakes and ponds throughout.

Stewart Falls - American Fork Canyon

Directions:Trailhead is up American Fork Canyon Alpine Loop road by the Mt. Timpanogos trail head. there are several trails so follow the signs
Duration: 1.5hr -2  hours
Distance: 4 miles out and back
Difficulty: Easy/Medium - June thru October
This is a fun and easy day hike and the falls is refreshing to sit by and very beautiful.
Makes a great picnic day hike.

link: http://www.utah.com/provo/hiking_trails.htm

Lake Blanche, Lily and Florence and Sundial Peak - Big Cottonwood Canyon

Directions: park at the S curve on the road up Big Cottonwood Canyon/trailhead is here (about 4.5 miles up the canyon)

Duration: 2.5 hours - or about 3 if hiking with smaller hikers - or if you are really sick thinking you have allergies and don't want to admit it that you are - really sick -  and  have to stop a lot.

Distance: about 2 3/4

Difficulty: Medium if you are in reasonably good shape.

It is mostly uphill with a little climbing over rocks toward the top. Lots of people had hiking sticks and it would be a good idea if you have knee issues as there is a lot of uphill on the way up and amazingly enough.. lots of downhill on the way down.

Tips: we took lots of water and drank it all. It was July and freakishly hot...even in the mountains (aorund 100 the day we did the hike) We took a water purifier and were really glad to have it. Take a nice picnic, its a beautiful place to lunch.
While going up I thought... I will never do this again. But after seeing how amazingly beautiful it was ...I probably will. Just not when I am sick!
Definitely want to bring your camera. Bug spray is a good idea since there are some mosquitoes just before the lake (don't remember being bugged by any while at the lake though. Lots of flies during the summer - which was a blessing (kept us moving) and a curse (annoying).
The extra distance to Lake Lilly and Florence just beyond was well woth it and even though you are probably going to be tired, take a breather and press on. Sundial peak is wonderfully beautiful, the other lakes are also amazing, peaceful and picturesque. there is a great waterfall between Blanche and Lilly and lots of places to relax and enjoy the day.
When I do it again I am going earlier in the day and spend a little more time up there.

Day Hike - Donut Falls - Big Cottonwood Canyon

This is a fun, fairly easy hike that many families do as a tradition. It doesn’t take too long and it’s pretty amazing without too much effort.

stinging nettles - don't touch! /yarrow - good for cuts / sticky geranium / wild carrot

Distance: ¾ mile

Duration: about 30 minutes

Difficulty: easy/medium – there were people with babies in packs, small children and lots of grandparents there with their grandkids. Some climbing involved in a couple of places and some elevation at the beginning of the trail, but otherwise fairly flat.

Climbing to the falls may be tricky as the rocks or dirt areas are often slippery and can also be unstable but most people climb up and go in to view the falls as it comes through the “donut”.

Directions: about 9 miles from the bottom of Big Cottonwood Canyon turn off at Jordan Pines and follow the road up past the private property signs to the parking lot trailhead

along the trail/ your feet will get wet... these were the perfect shoes!/ some pretty plants by the falls/ going straight up

on the bridge/good shoes-plan to get wet or go barefoot/the mouth of the falls cave/ inside

view from the top/the top of the falls/ looking down/ pretty but don't eat - black twinberry

Tips: A picnic is popular. There are some flies (deer flies and horse flies but while annoying they aren't too bad). The trail has lots of wildflowers but also stinging nettle (see above picture for identification if you don't know what it is- tall skinny plant with serrated knife shaped leaves and white tassel flowers) next to some parts of the trail so watch out for it and make sure your kids don’t touch it.

Here is a link to more info: http://www.utahoutdooractivities.com/doughnutfalls.html

Katherine Pass Day Hike

Place:  Little Cottonwood Canyon – end of the canyon by Albion Basin Campground

Location: there is a trail head by a ski lift as you go to the top of Little Cottonwood canyon, past the booth and up a dirt road (not open until July 4^th so if you go early.. less hikers but you will have to walk further)

What to do: Hiking, nature, flowers, picnic

Time of Year: mid spring to fall

Fees: no

Camping:   Albion  Campground is nearby and very nice. You will probably see moose!

Picnic area: yes – anywhere along the way.. favorite resting/picnicking spots – top of Katherine or by Mary or  Martha   Lakes

We hiked to the top from the paved parking lot and it took us 4 hours up and back. We are in pretty good shape but we did stop a lot... first big hike of the year

If you plan on hiking up and going to the lakes (good fishing if you have a license) it will be pretty much all day.

I have done this with Grandpa and little kids and everyone can do it.. it may take longer.

Don't forget water and snacks, sunscreen and hats. Hiking sticks are a good idea and a camera is a must!

pictures from the trail and a tiny White Crested Sparrow nest on the ground! bonus!

If you park a car at Brighton you can hike all the way over.. then you have to go back and get the car but its a nice hike. It will take all day

early spring flowers