The mountain is the second highest peak in the Wasatch Front, after mount Nebo. Mount Timp is 11,752 feet. The hike is 16 miles round trip. We started at about 8:00 am. We took the Aspen Grove Trail (the more intense, steep route.) We had plenty of food, water, our water filter and of course our camera devices. The trail was beautiful. The landscape had so much to offer us. Mountains, flowers, waterfalls, interesting little creatures that scattered across the path. Unfortunately, we didn't see any moose or the mountain goats that everyone assures you'll come across. Huge bummer, because I get overly excited about wildlife.
We came across a couple of waterfalls, but some were also drained out. They look like they would be amazing if they would of had water to fulfill in them. The waterfalls that were running though, were amazing. There were moss beds growing up the sides of them and it was very peaceful. You definitely cant get enough pictures next to a waterfall.
There were also a couple of lakes up on the top of the climb. Emerald lake, which in my mind I thought was going to be a tad bit bigger and I don't recall the name of the second lake. We filtered water out of the second lake and Gabe claims its the best water he has drinken in a long time. I don't know about that. He's such a nature man. ;)
When we finally got to the summit, STORMS started rolling in. Dark Dark Clouds. Now, if you know me, You know i hate storms. So double the anxiety I would have in a normal storm and just imagine how frightened I was. Yup, pretty much shitting my pants. I could see the lightening bolts flash what seemed to be "right in front of me." But no one else really was paying attention to that, we just climbed a huge ass mountain. There were dark clouds just heading, well what I thought was, straight for us. Ah! We got down pretty quickly, I was scramming down so we could at least descend a little bit and not be standing on the highest peak in the storm . I didn't want to get hit by lightening. I know we don't have tornados here, but people do get hit by lightening. Hey, I am still here today, writing this blog entry right? We ended up catching rain towards the lower half of the hike down, witnessed a few small rock avalanches, nothing too serious.
Anyways, it was quite the experience. We got back down around 5:30pm. We then proceeded to the Bar for a nice refreshing beer and snack. We went to Sundance resort. If you have never been there, I highly recommend it. The decor brings you back to the ol' days of ol' photos and a cabin feel. Its a small resort, I have never skiied there, but I have been there for lunch. And its in a canyon!!
One more thing I would like to address, is the question, "Is Mount Timp more difficult or Mount Olympus?" I can now answer that because I have done both hikes. I have been eagerly waiting to write about this. It's a question I have been asking myself for some time. Mount Olympus is way harder. Mount Olympus is not an enjoyable hike, IT IS A REWARDING HIKE. You make it to the top, feel good about yourself. Its the most difficult hike I have ever done in my life. Its a constant staircase to the top, constant climbing. There is no shade and no water sources. The landscape is desolate and dry. Once you get to the top, the views are amazing, through the whole hike actually, the views are pretty cool. But still its HARD! But with mount timp, its not hard, its just LONG. The hike is beautiful, like I said above, and there are plenty of water sources and places for shade. The landscape is also really diverse and you see so much. I highly recommend Mount Timpanogos!!!!
