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Run up the Giant Staircase among beautiful wildflowers and mountain wildlife, towards Mt Timpanogos.


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Map Key

5.8

Miles

9.4

KM

74%

Runnable

10,527' 3,209 m

High

7,366' 2,245 m

Low

3,175' 968 m

Up

14' 4 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

28%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

If you camp, be aware that NO CAMPFIRES are allowed in Timpanogos Wilderness. Extreme caution should be used around any steep snow field, snow with water moving underneath, waterfalls, and/or cliffs.

Runner Notes

Trail users should be aware of the high level of use that this trail receives, and should expect to see each type of user group on any given day. It is possibly the most used trail on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache NF and as such, Saturdays and holidays can be prohibitively busy. Users are encouraged to use this trail on weekdays and Sundays if possible.

Description

Timpooneke trail is a beautiful trail that climbs steadily up the Giant Staircase to connect in with both the Timpanogos Summit trail and the Mount Timpanogos trail. A couple of waterfalls can be seen from this trail. The Timpooneke Trail begins at the large parking lot and stock loading ramp in Timpooneke Campground in the South Fork of American Fork Canyon, Highway 92, Alpine Scenic Loop. It begins in an aspen forest and goes past a beautiful forest meadow and mountain stream. Approximately 1-1/2 miles from the beginning, the trail passes Scout Falls where there is a rustic overlook. For those desiring only a short run, this is a good turnaround point.

The trail continues up the Giant Staircase, passing a number of small falls and open meadows. As the trail climbs higher, it crosses a number of rocky slopes, eventually entering a large open basin below the final ridge to Emerald Lake where it joins the Aspen Grove and Summit Trails. The trail provides numerous vistas to the north, including Silver lake Flat and the Lone Peak Wilderness. Much of the Timpooneke Trail is wooded and while it is longer than the Aspen Grove Trail, contains fewer steep sections.

Flora & Fauna

This delightful environment with breathtaking views and its profusion of wildflower color waits all who venture up these mountain trails. Visitors will see gorgeous blue lupines, penstemons, bluebells, and forget-me-nots; yellow alpine buttercups, daisies, owl’s clovers, and monkey flowers; red paintbrush and skyrockets; and white columbines, bistorts, Jacob’s ladder, and yarrow, as well as many other native flowers including the unique Elephanthead lousewort.

There is also an excellent chance of spotting Rocky Mountain goats in the Emerald Lake area.

Contacts

Shared By:

Nicholas Shannon

Trail Ratings

  4.9 from 9 votes

#477

Overall
  4.9 from 9 votes
5 Star
89%
4 Star
11%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
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1 Star
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Trail Rankings

#52

in Utah

#477

Overall
3 Views Last Month
2,160 Since Jul 30, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
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Photos

Mountain goat grazing in Timpanogos Basin. We came face to face with him on the way down along the forest trail as we all sought cover from the hailstorm.
Jul 20, 2017 near Cedar H…, UT
Just getting started on Timpooneke Trail
Feb 3, 2020 near Cedar H…, UT
Looking down from the summit to the lake.
Jun 24, 2015 near Cedar H…, UT
Exploring Timpanogos Mountain
Feb 3, 2020 near Cedar H…, UT
Resting on the way down from Timpanogos
Feb 3, 2020 near Cedar H…, UT
Mt. Timpanogos looms over the the last snowfield crossing before a hiker and his dog reach Timpanogos Basin.
Jul 20, 2017 near Cedar H…, UT

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