mount timpanogos - 11752' - class 2
may 2021
On my way up to a work obligation in Montana, I made a quick overnight stop to hike up Mount Timpanogos which towers above the northern suburbs of Provo. I drove up the Highway 92 East Alpine Loop road along the north side on the mountain up until I reached the closure gate and parked. With my 4 season tent and overnight gear packed, I hiked up the road a couple miles until I reached the Timpooneke Road and after a few more minutes walking up this spur road, I reached the Mount Timpanogos North Trailhead. The road was all dry, certainly was not necessary for it to still be closed.
I began up the trail in mid afternoon, but after just a quarter mile it started to be snow covered. After just 300 feet of elevation gain, at the 7600 foot level a flat basin was reached. Here I continued following the trail and switchbacked around eventually nearing Scout Falls. After 400 feet I veered right and up to go around the waterfall then emerge onto another flat spot at 8400 feet. This was probably the crux of the entire trip as I had to climb some wet class 3 at the very top. Whereever the trail is in this area it wasn't useful covered in snow.
I then continued ascending more or less directly up near the watercourse another 1800 feet to the upper basin and pitched my tent at a flat sheltered spot next to some of the highest trees. I had a platform dug and the tent up with about an hour and a half of daylight to spare. It was a quiet lonely night as no one else was up there. At twilight the following morning, I left my overnight gear and continued up firm snow to the saddle, 900 feet above my camp at the low spot in the NW ridge of Timpanogos. Once on the ridge the Utah Valley opened before me and it was a gorgeous stroll on the narrow ridge to the summit. Views from the little "summit shed" were amazing. The Salt Lake Valley metropolitan area is huge. The descent was quick and I was back at the truck and on my way to Bozeman by early afternoon.
I began up the trail in mid afternoon, but after just a quarter mile it started to be snow covered. After just 300 feet of elevation gain, at the 7600 foot level a flat basin was reached. Here I continued following the trail and switchbacked around eventually nearing Scout Falls. After 400 feet I veered right and up to go around the waterfall then emerge onto another flat spot at 8400 feet. This was probably the crux of the entire trip as I had to climb some wet class 3 at the very top. Whereever the trail is in this area it wasn't useful covered in snow.
I then continued ascending more or less directly up near the watercourse another 1800 feet to the upper basin and pitched my tent at a flat sheltered spot next to some of the highest trees. I had a platform dug and the tent up with about an hour and a half of daylight to spare. It was a quiet lonely night as no one else was up there. At twilight the following morning, I left my overnight gear and continued up firm snow to the saddle, 900 feet above my camp at the low spot in the NW ridge of Timpanogos. Once on the ridge the Utah Valley opened before me and it was a gorgeous stroll on the narrow ridge to the summit. Views from the little "summit shed" were amazing. The Salt Lake Valley metropolitan area is huge. The descent was quick and I was back at the truck and on my way to Bozeman by early afternoon.
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