 | AF Canyon Overlook Trail The Overlook Trail is a nice out-and-back ride to a viewpoint high above the confluence of the South Fork and North Fork of American Fork Canyon. From here, you can look straight down at Mutual Dell, south at Mount Timpanogos, west down American Fork Canyon all the way to Utah Lake, and northwest at the granite peaks bordering Lone Peak and Little Cottonwood.From the Timpooneke trailhead, this is an intermediate-technical ride most of the way, with upper-intermediate the last mile or so. It's 9.6 miles round trip, with 1200 feet of elevation change. |
| The actual Overlook Trail branches off the Mud Springs trail at its highest point, about 1/2 mile from where it branches off Ridge 157. I like the ride from the Timpooneke trailhead, which I describe here, but you can get there by starting at Pine Hollow, Salamander Flat, the Alpine Loop Summit, South Fork, or if you're crazy enough, you can even climb up Mud Springs from the bottom end. At the trail's end, there's a flat area with an abrupt cliff on your left. You can look almost straight down on camp Mutual Dell. Walk or ride up the tiny steep hill to the west, and you're looking straight down American Fork canyon, across the lake, and into the west desert. |
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| Riding notes, from Timpooneke Trailhead: 0.0 Go south (toward the mountain) 0.1 Left across bridge N40 25.798 W111 38.337 1.0 Cross paved road N40 26.085 W111 37.845 1.1 Horse Flat Loop trail in from R N40 26.151 W111 37.726 1.4 Keep L (R=Salamander Flat) N40 26.442 W111 37.672 1.6 Fork L across small bridge N40 26.471 W111 37.629 | 2.0 Keep R (L = Pine Hollow) N40 26.735 W111 37.639 2.6 Hard L onto Ridge 157 N40 26.668 W111 37.018 3.5 L to Mud Springs (R =Ridge 157) N40 27.119 W111 37.366 4.1 At far end of meadow, fork L N40 27.462 W111 37.850 If you descend, you missed it! 4.8 Overlook N40 27.480 W111 38.514 |
| Getting there:
From I-15, take the
Alpine-Highland exit and drive 7 miles to the mouth of American Fork
Canyon. Pay your $6 (as of 2009) 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 Timpooneke Campground road. The parking area is
on your left about 1/4 mile later. Start your ride by heading past the
bathroom, then straight into the small canyon along the creek. You
can also Get to the Mud Springs and Overlook Trail via Pine Hollow,
Salamander Flat, the Summit parking area (Ridge 157), or even by coming up
from South Fork and heading south on 157 to the Mud Springs junction. Copyright 2006 Mad Scientist Software Inc. Use this trail guide at your own risk. |
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