Timpooneke Trail #053
Timpooneke Trail to Emerald Lake
Timponeeke trail is a beautiful 5.8-mile 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 hike, 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.
Specific Trail Information
Trail Number
Trail Type
General Information
Snow covers the trail until mid-summer causing extremely hazardous snow conditions in spring and early summer. Sliding down the snowfield above Emerald Lake is dangerous and not recommended.
High Elevation-Alpine Environment
Connecting Trails: Timpanogos Summit #054, Mount Timpanogos #052
Trail Grade: Trail grades range from 10 to 30 percent
Trail Considerations: 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. As this hike does enter the Mount Timpanogos Wilderness area, keep group sizes fewer than 15 people.
Wilderness Considerations: As with any Wilderness trails, please be prepared for trails that have received little to no maintenance. Have a map and compass and know how to use them, and have the ability to be self-sufficient as these are truly some of the most remote areas in the Wasatch Mountains. 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.
For further information about the Mount Timpanogos Wilderness and Leave No Trace, please go to http://www.wilderness.net/ and Search Mount Timpanogos.
Getting There
Trailhead/Starting Points
Timpooneke Trailhead
Directions
Access #1: From I-15, take the Orem 800 North Exit 272. Travel east on 800 North, Highway 52, to the mouth of Provo Canyon. Take a left turn onto Highway 189, Provo Canyon Scenic Byway. Then left onto Highway 92, Alpine Scenic Loop/Sundance turnoff to the North Fork of Provo Canyon. This section of the road is narrow and winding which requires caution.
Access #2: From I-15, take the American Fork/Alpine Exit 284 and turn east onto Highway 92. This takes you through American Fork Canyon. Continue on this road, making a right turn onto the south fork.
