By Tyillere Hansen

Whether students are stuck in Provo because they have to finish up a few classes or they have the summer to play, Utah County mountains have more to offer than is expected. Hiking is among the most popular of outdoor activities in Utah.

One of the biggest deterrents for many people is that they don't know where to hike. Within the Utah County limits, there are seven hikes amid the mountains commonly referred to as "the Seven Peaks of Utah County."

Mount Nebo

With a name stemming from the Bible, Mount Nebo is the highest and southernmost mountain in the Wasatch mountain range and stands at the south end of Utah Valley.

The summit ridge has three distinct points: the north, south and central summits. Each peak is higher than 11,800 feet.

The trail is generally easy to follow; however, it is steep in places and has no reliable water. Most people hike Mount Nebo as a day hike.

Until many years ago, the south summit was believed to be the highest, and most routes led to that point. But new surveys place the north summit higher, and a number of recent routes to the north summit have appeared.

The best time to climb Mount Nebo is from June to October. The Nebo Scenic Byway is not plowed in the winter, making it difficult to access as the snow falls.

Mount Timpanogos

Mount Timpanogos is one of the most popular mountain hiking destinations in Utah, standing as the second highest in the Wasatch Mountains.

The caves of Mount Timpanogos is the most famous attraction.

"I have enjoyed hiking to Mount Timpanogos Cave, both as a child and an adult," said Colleen Cook, an avid hiker from Salt Lake City. "It's a fairly easy hike, and the scenery is just beautiful."

The name Timpanogos comes from a Native American legend and has survived as the name of one of the most popular hikes in Utah. The mountain is busy during the summer, especially on Saturdays and holidays.

Timpanogos can be climbed starting from two different trailheads. The Timpooneke trailhead starts from the American Fork Canyon side on the north, and is accessed from I-15. The Aspen Grove trailhead is located slightly past the Sundance ski resort in Provo Canyon.

Although Timpanogos may look like an easy climb, doing it under the hot summer sun may sour the experience.

"I thought I was going to die," said Lisa Briscoe, a BYU graduate in recreation management. "When I saw all the switchbacks, I thought, 'if this is what hell is like, then I will never sin again.'"

The best time of year to hike Mount Timpanogos is late spring through late fall. Winter hiking involves more risk, thus requiring a higher level of experience.

Lone Peak

Lone Peak is another mountain that rises higher above 11,000 feet in elevation and is said to be one of the more difficult trails. The elevation gain on any of the routes is about 5,000-6,000 feet.

Combine the rapid elevation gains with unpredictable weather, and Lone Peak makes for quite a challenging climb.

But sacrifice brings forth blessings in the form of breathtaking views of the Utah and Salt Lake valleys, as well as at least a dozen different peaks.

It is best to hike Lone Peak from June through September. Climbing in the winter is possible but may require more than just a day trip and better planning.

Provo Peak

Provo Peak is book-ended by the two highest peaks of Utah County, Nebo and Timpanogos. At 11,068 feet, Provo Peak is still one of the highest mountains on the Wasatch Range.

There are several possible routes to climb the peak, and most of them originate from the Squaw Peak Road.

The trails go across the ridgeline with a few side trails up the west face of Provo Peak. The trail offers little or no switchbacks, making the hike more difficult.

Once on the peak, it provides incredible views in all directions.

"If you are on the peak on a clear day, the view is pretty incredible," said Neal Ballew, a senior from Houston.

The best time to climb Provo Peak is June through September. You may, however, climb during the winter, but the trail is only accessible from the valley through Rock Creek.

Cascade Mountain

Cascade Mountain is the next major mountain south of Timpanogos, located directly south of Provo Canyon. It's the home of Bridal Veil Falls. It is a difficult mountain compared with others on the Wasatch Front and is mostly climbed by seasoned hikers.

The highest point is a 10,908-foot peak on the northern side of the ridge. The northernmost peak is 10,874 feet, with another middle peak about 10,680 feet just south of the main summit. The southern peak rises to a height of 10,761 feet.

"Cascade Mountain is pretty gnarly," said Garrett Smith, a hiking and climbing enthusiast from Salt Lake City. "You can make it an easy hike if you want, but you can also get into some pretty intense stuff."

Like many other peaks in Utah County, the best time to hike Cascade Mountain is June through September. During the winter, climbing the mountain is extremely dangerous and not recommended because of high avalanche risk.

Santaquin Peak

Although many of the peaks along the Wasatch Front are higher than Santaquin Peak, most people say there are few other peaks whose hikes are as scenic as this one. Santaquin Peak and the Loafer Mountain site next to it can easily be climbed in the same hike.

Because of its location to the north, Santaquin boasts incredible views of the valley.

According to the Web site utahtravelcenter.com, "The trail is especially beautiful in the fall, as it passes through numerous groves of maple and aspen on its way to Loafer Ridge."

To the south, a vista of Mount Nebo and the Payson Lakes is visible. Mount Timpanogos and Utah Lake are breathtaking from this peak as well.

The recommended time to hike Santaquin Peak is June through October during most years.

"The upper parts of the trails are usually covered with snow from mid-November through late June," the Spanish Fork Ranger District reported.

Spanish Fork Peak

Spanish Fork Peak is located between the Cascade and Provo Peaks to the north and the Santaquin Peak to the south. Though it is 1,500 feet lower than Mount Timpanogos or Mount Nebo, it still rises 5,500 feet above the valley floor.

The most popular route leading to the peak is the trail leading up the right fork of Maple Canyon. According to the Uinta National Forest Web site, some sections of the trails are steep, and parts of the trail are shaded by box elder, Douglas fir and aspen trees, becoming more open at the upper elevations.

The best time to hike Spanish Fork Peak is June through October. Spots of snow are likely if the peak is hiked early in the season, especially on the north and east faces.



Copyright Brigham Young University 26 Jun 2008