The Julie Andrew’s Meadow is a high meadow in American Fork Canyon that looks a bit like the meadow in The Sound of Music, because of the majestic mountains all around. There are a few different paths to get there, so let me tell you more about each route.
If you prefer the most beautiful and direct path, I recommend parking along the side of the road just 100 feet beyond the pavement at the Timpooneke Campground. There is a small pullout there by trail #180 (also part of Equestrian CG Loop), which you will take heading off to the left. This is the same shortcut to the Scout Falls Viewpoint. Soon you will come to a sign that shows you connected to the Chris Flat Trail.
If you want to add a beautiful one mile round trip to your hike, begin at the Timpooneke Trailhead and hike along the Chris Flat Trail from there. Here are a few images of the beauty you would see.
Either way you go, when you get to that sign you’ll want to head up the hill. This isn’t too steep, but will continue uphill for most of the way.
The views of the mountains are spectacular! You can look across at Scout Falls, but with this drought it is nearly dried up (sad sigh).
These two photos were taken six weeks apart, but you can see that nearly all the snow has melted and the aspens are fully green.
The trail continues up the hill through pines and aspens with partial shade and beautiful views until you reach the meadow at the top!
Here are a few of the views from the meadow.
My favorite view is to walk partway through the meadow and then turn around behind you.
Along the side of the meadow there are aspens where you could sit in the shade for a picnic.
From the shortcut by Timpooneke Campground, this is 1.3 miles up. From the Timpooneke Trailhead it’s about 1.8 miles. This is quickest as a there and back, but you can also make it a loop. The trail continues through the meadow and through the pines on the other side.
The flowers are beautiful on this end of the meadow!
This is still the Chris Flat Trail heading back down the hill. After a bit you come to a junction, where you will head right along the Bear Canyon Trail. If you had continued straight, you would end up on the dirt road way above Timpooneke Campground. This end of of the Chris Flat and Bear Canyon Trails are mostly pine trees, but unfortunately the spruce bark beetle and mountain pine beetles have gotten to many of the pines in this area (even sadder sigh).
Eventually the Bear Canyon Trail crosses the dirt road. Honestly, I would probably take that way rather than continue along the loop. It has a road, but the trees along that last section of Bear Canyon Trail and Bear Canyon Spur are almost completely dead. Also, it’s downhill and then back uphill, so it’s a great workout, but with so much beauty around, it seems like a waste to spend as much time here. If you do it then you get a nice view on the Bear Canyon Spur just moments before it connects back with the Chris Flat Trail (or if you want to see it, just walk one minute along that trail and retrace your steps).
At least we got to see more spectacular views and mostly healthy forests on our way back down the Chris Flat Trail to our car.
Stats: Distance – 2.6 – miles roundtrip
2.6 from Trail #180 shortcut
3.5 from Timpooneke Trailhead
3.7 for loop
Approximate hiking time – 2 to 4 hours
Elevation gain – 990-1017 feet
Difficulty – Moderate
Trail – well maintained trail of dirt and rocks.
Bathrooms – At the trailhead or campground
Seasons to hike – May – October
Permits needed – $6 fee paid at ranger booth (or National Parks pass)
Pets allowed – Yes
Other trails nearby are Scout Falls, Island Meadow, and Mount Timpanogos from Timpooneke.
