Brighton, Silver Lake, and Stewart Falls

Playing a little bit of catch up! Shane and I had a full weekend off a few weeks ago, so we decided to spend it exploring the outdoors. We have been trying to enjoy as much as possible before everything freezes over.

Our first stop was Brighton. We had originally planned to hike out to several of the nearby lakes, but when we arrived we discovered there was a bike race happening that day. The road was scheduled to close at 1:00 pm and we arrived around 11:00 am, so we decided to keep things simple and take a relaxing walk around Silver Lake.

In the end, it was probably the right choice. The drive back later was already chaotic with bikers and traffic, so trying to squeeze in a longer hike would have been stressful.

Silver Lake is the perfect easy stroll. There is a well maintained trail that circles the entire lake. Half of the path is a wooden boardwalk over the water and wetlands, and the other half winds through the forest.

The wetlands area was especially beautiful. This trail really has a little bit of everything. We saw wildlife, wildflowers, and amazing mountain scenery all along the walk.

We spotted a little duck family enjoying the water.

At one point we saw a mama deer standing just off the trail. She actually had a baby hidden right underneath her, though I could not quite get the little one in the photo.

We also saw another deer along the trail and even watched a bird hunting for food in the wetlands.

And of course, the star of the area is Silver Lake itself, which is absolutely beautiful.

<3 p="">

After our walk around the lake, I decided to take Shane to Stewart Falls. I had hiked it a few weeks earlier with my friend Erin, but Shane needed to see it for himself.

The hike was just as beautiful the second time around, and Shane was definitely impressed once we reached the waterfall. It is one of those spots that makes the hike completely worth it.

The water was freezing, but of course I still had to test it.

On the way back down the trail we stopped for our usual “feet photo”, which has become a bit of a tradition for us.

On our way home we also made a quick stop at Sundance. By that point we were pretty worn out, so we just walked around for a bit before heading back to Orem.

Overall it was a great day outside and another reminder of how many beautiful places there are to explore here in Utah.

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.