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Julie Andrews meadow, with the Wasatch Mountains as a backdrop

Timpanogos Great Western
The Great Western Trail skirts Mount Timpanogos on its way from American Fork Canyon to Provo Canyon. This section is also called the Mount Timpanogos Perimeter Trail. This is a narrow singletrack with some steep climbs and many rough sections, but with beautiful scenery that makes it all worth while. We'd rate this trail advanced technical and strenuous aerobic. Altitude gain is 1300 feet. Because the trail intersects the Timpanooke Road at three locations, you can bail out any time for a shorter ride. The ride we describe here is 15 miles round trip. The trail is usually clear of snow by late June.
The Timpanooke Trail and the Great Western begin together (GPS N 40° 25.891'  W 111° 38.402') in the Timpanooke Campground. But about 40 feet from the parking lot, the narrow Great Western turns right (west) uphill away from the Timpanooke Trail. (Bikes are NOT allowed on the main Timpanooke Trail beyond the border of the wilderness area!)
After one mile comes your first chance to bail out onto Timpanooke Road. Just catch a trail heading right when you reach the bridge over the small creek. To continue the ride, keep left.
At 1.8 miles, you'll cross a meadow on the ridge top that rivals any postcard of the Austrian Alps. Cue "The Sound of Music" as you enjoy (real name) Julie Andrews Meadow. From here, you'll drop down to cross the Timpanooke Road (mile 2.2). There are a couple of forks here, but all lead down to the road.
You may need to peddle south (left) a short distance along the road. Look for the descent into Rock Canyon at GPS N 40° 26.061'  W 111° 39.937' on your right. Don't worry, it's not as steep coming up the other side.
You'll cross the Timpanooke Road again at GPS N 40° 25.939'  W 111° 40.877', mile 3.8. The trail climbs the bank directly across from you, but it isn't very easy to see. From here, you'll climb briskly through the pines, then after a mile of fairly level biking, descend to the Timpanooke Road again. The trail merges with the road at GPS N 40° 24.132'  W 111° 41.029', mile 7.5.
To complete a loop, ride back on the rocky Timpanooke Road. You'll have to regain 700 vertical feet to the summit. Or, ride the singletrack back.

Getting there: From I-15, take the Alpine-Highland exit and drive 7 miles to the mouth of American Fork Canyon. Pay your $3 fee there. Five miles later at the fork in the road, go along the south fork of the river. About 4 miles up, there's a T in the road. Turn right into the Timpanooke Campground road. The parking area is on your left about 1/4 mile later.

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Copyright 2002 Mad Scientist Software Inc
Trail conditions change, and the layout of a trail may change without notice. Use this trail guide at your own risk.