This evening my daughter Liesel (9) and I hiked the Tibble Fork Trail Loop (counter-clockwise) to the meadow and then back along the Tibble Fork Trail. I’ve hiked the full loop before, but I didn’t want to risk it taking us too long and it getting dark. Also, if you go clockwise on the loop, then the first part is the Mill Canyon Trail, which is popular with dirt bikers. You can hear them coming, so it’s easy to step off the trail, but they kick up dirt so the trail has quite a bit of dirt covering the nearby plants.
Both trails begin at Tibble Fork Reservoir.
The Tibble Fork Trail begins at the dam and the loop trail begins at the far end of the lake at the bridge that crosses the river. It heads up the back side of Tibble Fork resevoir. This part of the trail has beautiful pines and a reddish-brown trail.
The trail was beautiful and green, although it will be even more stunning in a month when all the leaves have filled in. As you get to the west side of the lake, the trail opens up so that you can look across at the majestic mountains across.
As the trail continues there are wildflowers are lots of snail shells my daughter liked to look at (although she didn’t keep them).
The trail gets a little steeper and then opens up with more quaking aspens. The meadow and most of the trail are so lovely on this hike! I wanted to snap a million photos!
You’d have to take it slowly with young kids and it is a little steep in parts. The route we went was about 4.5 miles, but you can get to the meadow faster if you only do the Tibble Fork Trail. This is such a pretty trail this time of year, you could just walk it until you’re done and turn around.
This trail is also beautiful in the fall and winter. Micro-spikes are needed in the winter.
Another nearby trail is the Silver Flat Lake Trail.
Stats: Distance – 3.5 miles roundtrip (Tibble Fork Trail) 4.6 miles loop (loop trail)
Approximate hiking time – 2 to 4 hours
Elevation gain – 1,115 feet
Difficulty – Moderate
Trail – well maintained trail of dirt and rocks.
Bathrooms – At the Lake
Seasons to hike – May – October (year round with spikes)
Permits needed – $6 fee paid at ranger booth (or National Parks pass)
Pets allowed – Yes
Tibble Fork Trail
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/utah/tibble-fork-trail
Tibble Fork Loop Trail
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/utah/tibble-fork-loop-trail
