Birthday Hike to Stewart Falls!

On August 1st, my lovely friend Erin and I decided to celebrate my birthday with a hike to Stewart Falls. I figured if I have to turn 26 years old, I might as well do it while feeling good about life and enjoying the outdoors!

Stewart Falls turned out to be the perfect hike. It wasn’t overly difficult, but it was long enough that I still felt accomplished by the time we finished. Having lived in Florida and Arizona, my birthdays are usually spent melting in extremely hot weather. This year I got lucky! Beautiful overcast skies and about 85° weather. It honestly couldn’t have been more perfect.

To get to Stewart Falls from Orem, we headed north up East Provo Canyon Road. Just after passing through the small tunnel, we took a left onto Alpine Loop Scenic Highway. From there it’s about a 10-minute drive to the trailhead.

We parked at Aspen Grove Trailhead, which requires a $6 park fee for a 3-day pass. If you’re using Google Maps or GPS, simply search “Aspen Grove Trailhead.” Once you arrive, the trailhead starts directly behind the restroom building, making it very easy to find.

I absolutely loved this hike. One of the best parts was how the scenery kept changing. It felt like every twenty minutes we were in a completely different environment. At one point you’re walking through a forest, then suddenly it feels like a lush jungle, then a meadow full of butterflies and finally you arrive at the beautiful waterfall.

Another thing I loved was how accessible the trail was for everyone. Along the hike we saw everyone from newborn babies to grandparents in their 70s making their way to the falls. It really is a great trail for all ages and skill levels, with a gorgeous destination waiting at the end.

All in all, it was the perfect way to spend my birthday.