Ebay J Hamilton

Timpanogos Cave and Trail

For my second hike of September I chose the Timpanogos Cave and trail. Timpanogos Cave is a national monument located in American Fork. I did this trail once when I was kid, almost 40 years ago. The trail is pretty steep, with a continuous incline, but you're treated to some really amazing views along the way. And the cave tour is worth it. Such a fascinating place. 

Tickets for tours sell out quick and it's recommended that you order yours online. There were many people at the visitors center that had assumed they could by tickets in person, only to discover that none were available. There are three types of cave tours you can choose from; an early morning 'Historic Lantern' tour, an Introduction to Caving Tour, and the standard Cave Tour, which is the one that I did (tip: the time on your ticket is when you meet at visitor center before hiking to the entrance). 

The hike is 3.8-miles out-and-back (when including the cave tour) with an elevation gain of 1,092 feet. It's a paved trail but pretty challenging at times due to how steep it is (16% grade at some portions). There are many sections of the trail with sharp drop offs, so be careful. Also many signs pointing out rock slides in the area. No pets are allowed. Bathrooms are available at the visitor center, and plenty of parking. Bring a jacket if you're doing the cave tour. It can get as cold as 45 degrees in the cave. There are also many narrow portions in the cave where you will need to duck down or twist a bit as you pass through spaces. 

I learned a lot on both the hike and the tour, and highly recommend it. Tours and trail are only open during the summer months (May-Oct).