Hiking the Timpanogos Trail

Recently I hiked the Timpanogos trail with two of my sons. The trail to the summit from the Timpooneke Trailhead is about 7 miles one way with about 4500 feet elevation gain. I was hoping to also go with my husband but his knee started hurting him the day before so he decided not to go. I met my boys at a parking lot near the mouth of the American Fork Canyon at 6am and we drove up together. Scott and I had reserved a parking spot at the Timpooneke Trailhead a few weeks before ($12) so when we arrived about 6:30, we were happy to be able to drive right in. We were hiking in the dark for first 20-30 minutes but after that we didn't need our flashlights. It was cooler weather than we've had in a long time so we were happy to have warm jackets. I think temperatures were in the 40's for most of the day.

After a mile or so, we saw a moose! We were so close to him, I was a little scared he might charge us so the picture I got was not great. He crossed the trail right after we passed him. After we had hiked up a little ways, I got a better picture of him in a more open area.

We had really beautiful weather. We were worried about potential rain, especially because a 19-year-old young man had gotten struck by lightning the previous morning and died at the summit. Very sad. Fortunately, we saw some clouds but no rain or lightning.

After going a little more than 4 miles, I decided I didn't want to try to make it to the summit but the boys did, so I sent them ahead and hiked by myself. I went another mile and made it to the Timpanogos basin. I saw the saddle another mile away and the summit another mile after that, but decided this was a great time to turn around so I wouldn't be too crippled that night or the next day. I think I went about 10 miles total.

I think this is the summit from my view in the basin.

My boys sent me a picture when they made it to the summit. It looks like they're above the clouds which they kind of were. These two guys were giving out free hats to everyone at the summit. They're starting some new company and this was a promotion.

Meanwhile, I was enjoying the colors and views lower down, eating Sour Patch Kids, and listening to audio books while trying to ignore my tired feet and hips.

I got back shortly before 3pm and the boys arrived about an hour later. It was a good hike!

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