 |
Aspen Grove Summit Trail The Aspen Grove Summit Trail joins the Aspen Grove recreation area (in the North Fork of Provo Canyon) to the Alpine Loop Summit of American Fork Canyon. The trail is narrow singletrack: mostly smooth aspen cruising, but with a good spattering of rocky rooty technical stuff. Elevation gain is 1200 feet over the lower 2 miles, for an average 12% grade. View west at Mount Timpanogos, on the ridge overlooking Aspen Grove. Photo October 4, 1999 by Bruce Argyle |
|
UtahMountainBiking.com is your source for bike trail info, repair instructions, feature articles, first aid, fitness, and goodies. |
The trail is 2.9 miles in length, and is done as either an up-the-highway and down the trail, or as an out-and-back on the trail. The uphill isn't horrible - a strong intermediate rider can do it with a couple of brief rest stops. You can begin the ride either at the Alpine Loop Summit parking lot (GPS N 40° 25.837' W 111° 36.837'), or at the Aspen Grove trail parking area at GPS N 40° 24.350' W 111° 36.307'. (The Stewart Falls Trail and Aspen Grove nature trail also begin at the Aspen Grove lot.) From the Aspen Grove end, find the trail on the west side, and follow the "Aspen Grove Trail" sign. After 0.35 miles, you'll cross a footbridge. Here the trails split. Turn right off the main trail, and begin climbing. As you might guess, the Aspen Grove trail features tons of quaking aspens. Here a carpet of giant ferns has turned brown as the aspens turn gold in the fall. Photo October 4, 1999 by Bruce Argyle |
|
 |
The trail climbs through oak brush and maple to the first ridge, after
which you're in quaking aspens and spruce. Ferns, thimbleberry, currant, and wildflowers
of every type fill the spaces between the quakies. Squirrels, grouse, and deer are common along the trail. A pine cone bobs in the breeze in front of golden quaking aspen leaves. Photo October 4, 1999 by Bruce Argyle |
| At 1.45 miles, turn left at a trail intersection (straight ahead takes you
to a pullout on the Alpine Loop road). At two miles, the slope of the trail lessens. You
roll, twist, and turn among the quaking aspens -- a truly delightful ride. View above the bike, of towering pines and golden aspens. October 4, 1999.
|
|
 |
Portions of the trail are often snowbound until mid June. In more dry
years, the trail is rideable in May. Snow usually closes the trail again in late October.
Late September is an excellent time to ride this trail, as the fall colors change.
At 2.8 miles, you'll pass the Deer Creek South Fork trail on your right. Continue on to the Alpine Loop parking area at 2.9 miles. To extend your ride, take a cruise on Ridge Trail 157, which starts here. View over the aspens into the North Fork of Provo Canyon. Photo October 4, 1999 by Bruce Argyle |
| Getting there: From I-15, take the Alpine-Highland exit
just south of Point-of-the-Mountain. Go east towards the mountains on UT-92 and continue
up American Fork Canyon. There's a $3 fee. About 6 miles up the canyon, turn right at the
North Fork junction. Drive up to the summit of the Alpine Loop. To reach Aspen Grove,
continue 3 miles down into the North Fork of Provo Canyon.
|
|
| [ Current Conditions, top of American Fork Canyon ] |
| Riding resources for this trail: Single-page riding guide GPS track files and route (right-click and "Save as..."): Garmin National Geographic Google Earth GPX High-res topo (160 KB): View |
[Trails Options
Page] |
|
For lodging in the American Fork Canyon
area, as well as travel guides and information on other activities, may we
suggest: |
|
Page views since 2/15/07: |
