Exploring Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Today we met up with our friend Erin to take on Timpanogos Cave! The cave is part of Timpanogos Cave National Monument, located just off State Highway 92 along the Alpine Loop.

One thing to know before going: you need to make reservations for the cave tour in advance, especially during the summer. Tours fill up quickly. The cave tour costs $8 per person, and the entire experience took us about four hours from start to finish.

The adventure actually begins with the hike up to the cave entrance. The trail climbs 1,100 feet straight up the mountain- and yes, it’s pretty much all uphill. We saw plenty of families with young kids and even a few grandparents making the trek, but it definitely kicked our butts! Be prepared for a long hike with a steady incline the entire way.

You’re allowed to hike up at your own pace, which was nice. They send groups up the trail about an hour and a half before the cave tour begins, and it took us about an hour to reach the top. We were definitely happy to have some time to relax before the tour started. Luckily, there are benches along the trail and near the cave entrance where you can catch your breath.

And the view from the top definitely makes the climb worth it.

Shane and I have done a few cave tours before, and each one is unique in its own way. One thing that makes this cave especially interesting is that it sits right on a fault line. In some areas you actually walk through narrow cracks in the rock where the earth shifted long ago.

Another fun part was that you really have to duck, squeeze, and twist your way through some of the tunnels, which made the whole experience feel like a real adventure. I swear I turn into a little kid every time I step inside a cave.

Inside the cave, the temperature stays around 45°F year-round. I wore shorts and a light jacket and felt pretty comfortable the whole time.

Our tour guide was fantastic and shared both the history of the cave and some of the folklore surrounding it as we explored.

One of the coolest formations we saw were the Aragonite Crystals. They have a green color because they contain the mineral nickel.

Of course there were also plenty of stalactites and stalagmites, along with some really unique formations like twisted calcite helictites that seem to grow in every direction.

It was almost impossible to watch where you were stepping because there was so much to look at all around us.

After the tour ended, we stepped back outside and looked down the canyon. Way down below we could see the tiny road we had started from earlier that day. Seeing it from that perspective really made us realize just how far we had climbed!

Thankfully, the hike back down was much easier. It was a little tough on the knees, but far more enjoyable than the uphill trek.

Overall, it was such a fun adventure and definitely worth the climb.

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.