The Upper Meadow on the backside of Mount Timpanogos has some of the most glorious wildflowers and adorable mountain goats.
Preparation
Before hiking, be sure to prepare, especially for long hikes like this. Here is a packing list.
-Water/Electrolytes
-Snacks (High energy/high protein)
-First Aid
-Repellent
-Sun protection
-Headlamp/Flashlight
-tissue/toilet paper
-Ziplock bag to carry out trash
-Hiking backpack or pack
(Optional items include: hiking poles, navigation tools, phone charger, camera, multi-tool/pocket knife, bear spray, Walkie-Talkies, fishing pole)
For more specifics about what to pack, check out this list. Also, be sure to trim your toenails or you may lose them.
Directions
The Timpooneke Trailhead can be accessed from American Fork Canyon, Provo Canyon, or Midway.
Parking
During wildflower season it’s especially popular. I arrived at 6:20 am on a Friday in mid-August and saw a car pull into the last spot. I was able to park in the pullout just below the Timpooneke junction, but that added 0.3 mile each direction.
*Saturdays, Sundays and major holidays starting June 29-October late October there is a reservation system to park in the Timpooneke parking lot. Reservations begin at midnight and run through the next afternoon. In the later afternoons and evenings it will still be first come-first serve, but of course you’d have to be gone before the next reservation period. Weekdays are still first come first serve. The cost is $10 plus a $2 reservation fee. Sign up at Recreation.gov.
Timpooneke Trail
The Timpooneke Trailhead is the starting point for many gorgeous hikes, including the most popular route to the top of Mount Timpanogos. Other trails from this trailhead include Island Meadow, Julie Andrews Meadow, and Scout Falls. This trail is a more popular for hiking Timp than the Aspen Grove trail because less steep. This trail is basically moderate difficulty to the meadow just below the backside of Timp, but of course it is long, 10-11 miles, so that’s why is rated as difficult. Up to the saddle it becomes difficult and even more so to the summit, so if your goal is wildflowers , views and wildlife, the Upper Meadow is probably far enough.
Timpooneke Trail
You follow the same path as Scout Falls through the aspens and periodically have beautiful vistas. It is beautiful right away!
In the summer it’s dense green! If you go in September or early October, then you get the beautiful fall foilage.
There are some small falls near the trail.
Near those little falls you may need to step over water along the trail, but there are rocks to step on. Hiking poles are helpful for balance, but it’s not too deep even if you just walk through it.
Timpooneke is also great for wildflowers. These are some from the first few miles of the trail.
Scouts Falls
This route has Scout Falls. If it’s in July or August when the wildflowers peak, the falls start to slow.
In another half mile you come to the first meadow.
You can only go about this far in early June. Be cautious about when you reach snow drifts. The patches of snow are actually snow bridges. Water runs beneath the snow melting it from below, so it can collapse. I love seeing the contrasts in colors looking up at the snowy parts!
Depending on the year, hiking Mount Timpanogos is usually July-October, but it depends on snowfall. The trail winds back and forth around the large slabs and then up the next level.
There are several sections where the trail crosses shale.
As you get higher and higher the views get more impressive!
Wildlife
You may se wildlife along the Timpooneke Trail. We saw several moose, deer, birds, and rodents, like chipmunks and pika.
The higher you get, the more glorious the wildflowers.
You can start to see part of Mount Timpanogos.
As you come over the rise you can see the meadow. The top sign was missing last time I went. The one there shows a route to Emerald Lake and Mount Timpanogos heading straight, but the top sign is supposed to point right to the Saddle and Mount Timpanogos. For the best wildflowers, you will probably want to head right.
Upper Meadow
The meadow is filled with wildflowers in late July/early August (depends on snowpack).
Mountain Goats
I have hiked this and only seen a few mountain goats in the distance, but last time I lucked out saw several mountain goats in the wildflowers near the base of the incline and others on the rocks. I did have a zoom lens. The mountain goats aren’t aggressive (except occasionally with dogs), but don’t approach wildlife.
The meadow is fairly flat with a few gentle inclines. It is pretty big though, so it will take some time to cross all of it. Here is a view of it from above. See all the vibrant colors!
Here are a few more of the wildflowers because they are so gorgeous!
To go to the close side of the meadow is 5 miles one way and about 5.5 miles to the far side, so 10-11 miles round trip. If you want to extend, you can go up to the Saddle or Summit of Mount Timpanogos. If you arranged a shuttle car you could extend it heading down the Aspen Grove Trail.
Stats: Distance – 10-11 miles to Upper Meadow (close and far side)
Approximate hiking time – 5-8 hours
Elevation gain – 3025 feet
Difficulty – Difficult
Trail – well maintained trail of dirt and rocks, narrow rocky trail at the end
Bathrooms – At the trailhead
Seasons to hike – Late June – October (depending on snow fall)
Permits needed – $10 fee paid online or ranger booth (or National Parks pass) and $12 parking reservation on weekends from Recreation.gov
Pets allowed – Yes (sometimes mountain goats can be aggressive with dogs, so be cautious)
Julie Andrew’s Meadow and Pine Hollow Loop are nearby trails. Here are other hikes if you love wildflowers.
