Scout Falls is a glorious fingered waterfall in American Fork Canyon on Mount Timpanogos. It is especially impressive in June.
Directions
The Timpooneke Trailhead can be accessed from American Fork Canyon, Provo Canyon, or Midway.
Parking
*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, but mornings are busy during peak wildflower season (end of July and August). The weekend/holiday parking cost is $10 plus a $2 reservation fee and you sign up at Recreation.gov.
Timpooneke Trail
The trail begins at the Timpooneke Trailhead. Right away it separates into three trails. It splits left on Salamander Flat Trail to Island Meadow and splits right on Chris Flat Trail for Julie Andrew’s Meadow and Scout Falls Viewpoint. You will want to continue straight on Timpooneke Trail towards Scout Falls and Mount Timpanogos.
Kids can do this hike if you take your time. The views are so beautiful!
Be sure to stop and look out at the views behind you. they are spectacular!
This is really a beautiful trail in all directions.
There are often wildflowers along the trail! This is only a small sampling!
Up higher on the trail there are a few small waterfalls and water crossings. There are a usually flat rocks to step over the wettest parts. If it’s later in the summer or in the fall it won’t be a problem.
In June there may still be patches of snow, but usually by the time the trailhead is open, there will only be small parts that are easy to cross.
When you are nearly to Scout falls the trail splits for a viewpoint of the falls. It is a beautiful view and certainly worth the small detour (unless it is September or October. Scout Falls becomes small enough that you can’t see it well from below by then).
There are small logs blocking the path so people will know it’s not the trail. Some hikers are confused and scale up the rocks and shale from this spot, but I don’t recommend it. Go to look at the stunning view of the falls from below and then backtrack to the trail.
Continue up the trail one more switchback to give you a higher view of multiple falls.
There is a large tree with huge roots that you will need to climb over to get to the falls. Here is my seven year old for perspective. At the top of the tree roots is the path to the falls, next the rocky ledge.
Alex found a little photo spot under the outcropping. The second photo shows this spot from closer to the falls, looking back towards the tree.
The falls are magnificent!
If the water is flowing strong, you can still walk over to the closer falls if you don’t mind a bit of spray.
Here was my view looking down the canyon standing next to the falls in mid-June. Can you see the drops spraying over me?!
These photos below were taken in late September. You can see that several of the waterfalls dry up and there is only the closer one left.
The falls aren’t as spectacular in fall, but the fall leaves sure are!
Sometimes moose, deer, and small rodents can be seen. There are also mountain chickadees, butterflies, and tent caterpillars.
It used to be that I had never had cell service on this trail or most of American Fork Canyon, only much higher on Mount Timpanogos. Now I have much better service for calling and spotty service for texting (I have Verizon).
If you want to add on to your hike, an additional half mile farther beyond Scout Falls is the first meadow, or this can be a small 5-10 minute detour on your hike up Mount Timpanogos. You could also extend it dramatically to the Upper Meadow. Other hikes nearby are Scout Falls, Viewpoint, Island Meadow and Julie Andrew’s Meadow.
Stats: Distance – 3.0 miles roundtrip
Approximate hiking time – 2 to 4 hours
Elevation gain – 825 feet
Difficulty – Moderate
Trail – well maintained trail of dirt and rocks.
Bathrooms – At the trailhead
Seasons to hike – May – October
Permits needed – $10 fee paid online or at ranger booth (or National Parks pass) and additional $2 fee to reserve weekend or holiday parking
Pets allowed – Yes
Map to Timpooneke Trailhead
