Timpanogos Cave

Today we decided to meet up with our friend Erin, and tackle Timpanogos Cave!

Timpanogos Cave is a National Monument just off State Highway 92.

We did have to make reservations a few days in advance 

and tours fill up really fast in the summer.

The cave fee was $8.00 a person, and took about 4 hours.

The hike up is 1,100 ft. ALL GOING UP! I saw plenty of families with young kids and even a few grandparents, but It kicked our butts. Be prepared for a long hike up all at a steep incline. 

You get to go up at your own pace. I think they send you up about an hour and a half before your tour actually begins, and we made it up in an hour. It was nice to have a little time to relax before the tour because we were whooped! There are plenty of benches to rest and prepare yourself for the cave tour.

The view from the top isn't too bad either!

Shane and I have done a few cave tours, and everyone is different in it's own way.

One thing that was cool about this cave was that it's on a Fault Line.

Also you have to really squeeze and duck to get through some of the tunnels, which I thought was exciting!

I turn into a little kid every time I go in a cave.

The temperature in the cave was 45 degrees. 

I had a light jacket and shorts on and was pretty comfortable. 

Looking up, in a fault line. The formations just drape the sides 

of these walls going up into darkness.

Our tour guide was great and shared both history and folk stories of the cave on our tour.

Aragonite Crystals. 

There is mineral nickel in them that gives them the green color

Two good Stalactites and Stalagmites

Friends that cave together, stay together!

Twisted Calcite Helictites

Looking up!

Hard to watch your step when there is so much to see around you!

Erin!

Shane!

Can you see the fault line?

Me!

Friends! Shane took the picture and was focused on the rock haha

See that road wayyyy down in the center of the canyon. That is where we are hiking back down to. Just to once again put into perspective.. that is what we hiked up from! Whew! The way down was much better. A little rough on the knees but much more enjoyable than the way up!

Birthday Hike to Stewart Falls!

On August 1st, my lovely friend Erin and I decided to take a hike to Stewart Falls. I figured if I have to turn 26 years old, I should do it feeling good about life! Stewart Falls was the perfect hike because it wasn't too hard, but I still felt very accomplished. Having lived in Florida and Arizona in the past, my birthday is usually disgustingly hot weather. I was very grateful this year! We took our hike with some nice overcast and maybe 85 degree weather outside.What a perfect day!

To get to Stewart falls from Orem, we headed north up East Provo Canyon Road. Just after you go under the little tunnel you take a left onto Alpine Loop Scenic Highway. Follow that road about 10 minutes. We parked at Aspen Grove Trailhead. To park there you will have to pay a $6 park fee for a 3 day pass, and then it's about 100 feet ahead on your left hand side. If you want to put something into Google Maps or GPS, I would just punch in "Aspen Grove Trailhead".  From there, we parked and the trail head begins directly behind the restroom.

I absolutely loved this hike! Every 20  minutes the scenery was changing. You are in a forest, a jungle, a butterfly garden, and then at a beautiful waterfall! I saw everything from newborns to 75 year old grandparents on the trail. A great place to hike for anyone with a beautiful destination at the end!