Update 2023: The Alpine Poppies are back and are more beautiful than ever thanks to a restoration project! The poppy field is located in Lambert Park, which is a wilderness area in Alpine with walking and biking trails. For the best directions scroll down.
Alpine Poppy Field Restoration Project
I went to check on the status mid-week before Memorial Day and met Jessica Smuin, who is a member of the Alpine City Council and heading up the project. She explained all the hard work that has gone into building the fences, benches, arranging the stones, raking the sand in the pathways and petitioning for the grant. Hopefully this will help preserve this treasure of the Alpine poppy fields!
Have you ever seen poppy fields? In Alpine, Utah poppies bloom for three to four weeks at the end of May and beginning of June. Ever since World War I, poppies have been a symbol of peace and remembrance of those who served. It’s perfect that they are in bloom over Memorial Day.
A lot of thought has gone into this project. The new benches were constructed from Linden trees planted during the pioneer era that had to be cut down to widen Linden’s Main Street. They have been placed with photo opportunities in mind. (Photos below taken 6/2/23)
The fences, pathways and benches were designed to reduce the accidental trampling of the poppies. The new homes have encroached into the natural space, but this much-needed project has helped to keep it beautiful.
This year they have a guest book to write your name and where you live. They also explain the significance of the poppy symbolism.
Ever since World War I, poppies have been a symbol of peace and remembrance of those who served. It’s perfect that they are typically in bloom over Memorial Day.
This year’s long winter delayed the poppies that usually peak around Memorial Day. In 2023 they should be in bloom the first week or two of June. Out of the whole field, I could only find one that is just starting to open in late May.
By June 2, 2023 there were lots blooming!
Please be careful when you visit to leave it nice and not pick any poppies.
Lambert Pioneer History
George Cannon Lambert and Mary Alice Needham Lambert owned a summer home on this property they built in 1910. Over the years it has deteriorated and this winter a large chunk fell off the remaining corner.
In addition to the poppies, the Lamberts also planted English roses. The yellow blooms are beautiful!
You still have views of the surrounding mountains and of Utah Lake from the trailhead.
You might see some birds too! The blue and grey ones are Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jays and the orange and black is a black-headed grosbeak.
If you go on weekday mornings, it shouldn’t be too busy. It mostly just gets crowded on the weekends and evenings. There is hardly any shade, so try to go when it’s cooler.
Motorized vehicles aren’t allowed in the park, but there are mountain bikers, so please share the trail courteously.
Directions to the Alpine Poppies
It can be confusing if you get on the wrong trail, so below are a few maps. Also, look for these homes because the poppy field is directly in front of them.
Park in the Lambert Park South Parking Lot or in the church next door:
Then take “Middle” Trail to either “Ruin” or “Poppy” to the Poppy Fields. (Middle and Ziggy are slightly longer possibilities). Here is the route I recommend. Parking is in the green, the poppy field in red and the trails marked in blue.
This is the view from the South Parking by the restroom, which are nice flush toilets. You can take the bridge to the right or head straight over the little rise.
The first photo below is looking back towards the parking lot so you can see the bridge and the little water to step over.
Head to the left side where there are trail markers. The left one says “Middle” and will take you to the “Poppy” or continue to “Ruin” trail. The right sign says “Zag Ziggy”. There is a new bike section along that trail, so that will be more popular for bicyclists.
Here are some views along Middle, Ruin and Poppy.
Even though the Lambert Estates Roads are nearby, you would have to cross though private property, so don’t park to the east.
Alternately you can park at the Lambert Park West Trailhead or along the road on Box Elder Drive, but there are fewer trees and the longer paths aren’t very scenic. Take Lambert Luge. These are a few photos from the other routes.
In addition to the poppies there are also other beautiful wildflowers in Lambert Park. Here is flax, milkweed (just before it blooms), Sego Lily (Mariposa Lily), spotted stickweed, vetch, snapdragon, desert paintbrush, and more.
Here are a few more Alpine poppies!
Stats: Distance – 0.9 – 1.5 miles roundtrip
Approximate hiking time – 30-60 minutes
Difficulty – Easy
Trail – well maintained trail of dirt and rocks.
Bathrooms – In the south parking lot
Seasons to hike – May -June
Permits needed – none
Pets allowed – Yes
The poppy field is located in Lambert Park, which is a wilderness are in Alpine with walking and biking trails. Since they are in bloom for under a month, it gets a little crowded on the weekends.
I went on a Wednesday morning about 9:45 am with my kids and some neighbors. When we arrived there were two artists with easels and a couple and photographer taking engagement photos. Otherwise we had the place to ourselves. We did see a few other people on the trails when we walked back to the car.
**For updated maps see this post:
Motorized vehicles aren’t allowed in the park, so here is a map of where to park: https://goo.gl/maps/ZgqHmkGr96b4GFHT7
Once you walk into the park, here is a map of how to get to the poppies: https://goo.gl/maps/k5BhXco6r6Umv8NW7
Here are the walking directions through the park:-Walk directly south along the dirt road. The road will curve to the right. When you get to the intersection of two dirt roads, turn left so you are headed south again. Turn left at the next intersection of dirt houses, heading east towards the new homes under construction. Walk until you see a marked trail on the right. You will pass an unmarked one earlier, but the one to take is called “Lambert Luge”. Follow it until you are directly below the last house from the construction above. You will find a grove of trees, ruins of an old house, and all of the beautiful poppies!
Stats: Distance – 1.2 miles roundtrip
Approximate hiking time – 30 minutes
Difficulty – Easy
Trail – well maintained trail of dirt and rocks.
Bathrooms – None (but nearby gas stations)
Seasons to hike – May -June
Permits needed – none
Pets allowed – Yes
Other nearby hikes are Three Falls, Horsetail Falls, Horsetail Falls Northside Route, Highland Glen Nature Loop, and American Fork Canyon.
