Backpacking Mt. Timpanogos From Aspen Grove | Conquering the Difficult Trail
16.3 MILES OUT & BACK | ELEVATION GAIN 4,900 ft. | HARD OVERNIGHTER
OVERVIEW
Reaching the summit of Mount Timpanogos is an exhilarating experience. The peak stands as a majestic sentinel over Utah Valley, and its summit offers panoramic views that are nothing short of spectacular. The trail winds through beautiful alpine meadows, a cascading waterfall, and a picturesque alpine lake with vibrant jewel-toned water.
Accompanied by four moms and six kids, we embarked on a Tuesday afternoon adventure that would truly challenge our endurance, especially with the added physical challenge of carrying a backpack.
GETTING THERE
Aspen Grove Trailhead
From Highway 189, Provo Canyon Scenic Byway, turn left onto Highway 92, Alpine Scenic Loop/Sundance turnoff. Make a left turn after the Forest Service tollbooth into a parking lot. If the parking lot is full, park on the road. Pay the parking fee unless you have an America the Beautiful Pass. To access the trailhead follow the trail behind the pit toilet, then turn right at the Mount Timpanogos trail sign. The trail is paved for about the first mile.
NEED TO KNOW
Hiking from Aspen Grove to the summit of Mount Timpanogos is a strenuous hike! The elevation gain and distance vary greatly depending on the source. According to our GPS maps we covered 16.3 miles and an elevation gain between 4,900 to 5,400 feet.
The ages of the children ranged from 12-14 years. I wouldn’t recommend taking a child younger than 10 years, due to the strenuous climb and precarious rock-scrambling to the top.
You don’t need a permit it starting from the Aspen Grove side.
The popular trail is well-maintained and easy to follow. The seasons to hike the trail are summer and fall. We backpacked the trail in early October as Utah was experiencing unusually high temperatures which worked to our benefit.
There are two lakes along the basin, Emerald Lake and Hidden Lake. When we were there we could have filtered from either lake. But Emerald Lake is the most reliable source of water.
Filtering water at Emerald Lake
The best camp spots are near Hidden Lake and next to the Emerald Lake Shelter (which was destroyed in 2023). The Shelter is close to the trail making these camp spots less appealing.
What's left of the shelter near Emerald Lake
Some More Advice
The day before drink plenty of fluids and stay hydrated. Pack electrolytes and salted treats to stay hydrated during the trek.
Wear or pack in pants and a warm jacket. It gets cold and the terrain is rocky. Protect yourself!
OUR JOURNEY BACKPACKING TIMPANOGOS FROM ASPEN GROVE
Late Start
We started hiking at about 3 pm, later than we expected. But in the beginning, we kept up a good pace. Three and a half miles into the hike, my son began to have severe muscle spasms, a sign of dehydration. This slowed us down as we gave him time to rest and drink fluids.
Muscle Spasms
We hiked half a mile but the muscle spasms in his calves and thighs continued. It was starting to get dark, so the rest of the group went on without us, to get the kids safely to camp. Thankfully I got help and we both made it safely off the trail. Sadly we were unable to summit the Peak.
Camp
It was dark when the rest of the group made it to Hidden Lake. A friendly group of campers pointed them to a decent campsite. Exhausted they set up camp and quickly fell asleep. Our other friend and her children were planning to join us the following morning. Starting the trail at 3 am, they made it to the campsite at 7:45 am. By 8:15 everyone was ready to Summit the Peak.
Campsite Near Hidden Lake
The Summit
Leaving behind the heavy packs and gear, and carrying a day pack they journeyed on. Staying together, they reached the Summit at noon. Their smiles at the top reflect not just the triumph of reaching the summit, but also the growth they experienced along the way.
Glass Shack
The Descent
After summiting Mount Timpanogos, everyone hiked back to camp, packed up (took an hour with kids), and began descending the trail. The hike back is incredibly strenuous. The steep sections are even more challenging coming down than up and wearing a large pack made the journey even more technical. After an arduous and physically taxing adventure, everyone made it to the parking lot by almost 6 pm.
MY THOUGHTS
I am proud of these kids and the amazing women on this adventure. Each child carried their own pack filled with snacks and supplies which added an extra layer of difficulty to the journey. Knowing how hard they all pushed through fatigue was inspiring.
I felt the encouragement and support they offered to my son, and I felt their disappointment when he was unable to carry on. This adventure will be a moment we will all cherish, the good and the bad, as we all learn resiliency and newfound confidence in our abilities. That is what backpacking has done for me, and I hope you find the same joy as you tackle your adventure.
Journey on!!!
