Trail Details

Emerald Lake from Timpanooke Trailhead
via Timp Glacier

Hike Time (roundtrip): 6.5 to 11.0 hours Distance (roundtrip): 16.2 miles Elevation Gain: 3000 feet	Main Aspect: North Climb Rate: 370 feet per mile Average Grade: 7%
Notes: People who get to the peak and still have energy often return by way of the Timp Glacier. If the snow hasn’t melted away from the top of the saddle, it’s a real rush glissading down it. The first few hundred feet are uncontrolled speed and fear, but after that your speed and direction are very controllable. It’s very cold though; keep bare skin (legs, arms, hands) off the snow if at all pos
Trail shortcuts: Waypoints Destination Maps/Aerial Photos

Trailhead
Timpooneke TH
Trailhead Elevation: 7360 ft Trailhead Outhouse: Yes Distance from Fee Station: 8.4 miles	Area: Alpine Loop / Timpanogos Area Location: Starts in American Fork Canyon or Provo Canyon Area Fee: $6 Dogs Allowed: Yes
Notes: Mt. Timpanogos is the most popular mountain hike in all of Utah. After Aspen Grove, the Timpooneke (timp-u-nee-kee) trail is the next most popular way to get there. The trail starts 500ft higher than the Aspen Grove Trail. As a result, it is not quite as steep. There are a lot of great destinations along the way though.

Waypoint 1
Giant Staircase
Elevation: 8650	Feature: Cirque
Notes: The Giant Staircase is a series of large shelves on the way to Timpanogos Basin.
Waypoint 2
Timp Basin
Elevation: 10170	Feature: Basin
Notes: Many calendar and postcard photos have been shot from the basin. The wildflowers are astounding. The Timpanogos Massif is huge. And the alpine scenery can be overwhelming.
Waypoint 3
Timp Saddle
Elevation: 11055	Feature: Saddle
Notes: When you get to the saddle itself, be prepared to have you breath taken away. You’re walking up the trail from Timp Basin and all of a sudden all of Utah Valley opens up to you. On a clear day, you can see from Mt Nebo south of Payson to the Great Salt Lake. You are now above 11,000 feet.
Waypoint 4
Mount Timpanogos
Elevation: 11751	AKA: Mount Timp Feature: Peak
Notes: Mt Timp is not the highest mountain in Utah or even the highest in Utah County, but it’s certainly the most visited peak in the state. Making it to the summit is exilerating. You are now close to 7000 feet above the valley floor. Make sure you take enough water.
Waypoint 5
Timp Glacier
Elevation: 11260	Feature: Cirque
Notes: Glissading down the glacier is often a highlight of a Mount Timpanogos hike. Both Negative and positive memories can result. Wear gloves and cover your arms and legs to reduce snow burn (you get going pretty fast).

Destination
Emerald Lake
Elevation: 10360	Feature: Lake
Notes: I love the color of Emerald Lake. I could just stare at it for hours. The lake is at the base of the Timp Glacier, so depending on the time of the year, it might be turquoise blue, or green. It often has red streaked snow (watermelon snow) around it. During busy times of the year, TERT will station volunteers at the shelter to aid others who might need help.