Emerald Lake of Mount Timpanogos

Emerald Lake is a small lake that sits approximately 10,350 feet elevation next to the huge prominence of Mount Timpanogos' main summit.  It is fed mainly by a dwindling glacier along the north slope of the summit ridge that separates the main and south summits.  A moraine basically bisects the lake – which may appear to be a perfect spot for spending the night, yet wilderness regulations prohibit camping within 200 feet of the shoreline.  Though climbing the glacier provides a shorter route to the main summit than the Timpooneke route, it is not recommended without the use of crampons and an ice axe – along with the skill of using them.  Not far from the northwest shore of Emerald Lake is a shelter that was constructed in 1960 for the masses of people that used to hike Mount Timpanogos.  Since this practice has now ceased and the area was designated a wilderness, the shelter sees much less use today.  It still, however, provides better protection from storms and the elements than the metal hut at the main summit does.  Be prepared for sudden changes in weather and keep in mind that temperatures at the lake and summits are often much cooler than at the trailheads.  This post describes the Aspen Grove Trail, or eastern route up Mount Timpanogos.

To reach the Aspen Grove trailhead from I-15, take the Orem 800 North exit (Exit 272) and turn east along 800 North (SR 52) to the Provo River (about 3.7 miles).  Take the left ramp onto U.S. Highway 189 towards Provo Canyon (northeast) and continue another 6.9 miles to the SR 92 turnoff just past the Provo Canyon Tunnels.  Turn left (northwest) onto SR 92 and continue approximately 4.8 miles, where you will pass the Sundance Mountain Resort.  The road to the parking area is just past the fee station on the left (south) next to the Theater-in-the-Pines Campground in Aspen Grove.  Again, this area can get quite congested with vehicles, especially on weekends – so plan accordingly.  Be sure to pay any associated day use fees to avoid fines and possible vehicle impounding.

The main summit of Mount
Timpanogos along the
Aspen Grove Trail

The small glacier on Mount
Timpanogos that feeds
into Emerald Lake

Beginning near the northwest corner of the parking area, the trail makes a gradual climb near the bottom of the canyon for about 0.9 miles before reaching the switchbacks to Primrose Cirque.  Depending on seasonal runoff, it's not uncommon to see small waterfalls cascading over the cliff bands in this area.  At just over 2.0 miles, the trail makes a general southwest traverse across the upper part of the cirque to more switchbacks of shorter length that seem endless.  Eventually the terrain levels out into a basin with small lakes at approximately 4.1 miles – where wildflowers often blanket the landscape during the late summer season.  Another 0.9 miles brings you to Emerald Lake and the shelter nearby.  Though in a wilderness area, the shelter is a historic structure that should be preserved for protection on the upper part of the mountain.  For a non-technical approach to the main Timpanogos summit, continue westward along the trail – maybe a third of a mile past the shelter to a junction on the north-facing slope.  The trail on the left (south) is a shortcut to the ridge saddle versus taking the trail on the right (north) that connects with the Timpooneke Trail.  Snow, however, often blocks this shortcut route well into the summer months, which may necessitate taking the longer route for a safe ascent to the saddle.  It's about one mile from the Emerald Lake shelter to the saddle using this north face shortcut route.  A lesser visited summit that offers spectacular views of the landscape below is Roberts Horn, which was named after the late Eugene L. Roberts – often nicknamed "Timp" Roberts.  While there is no clearly established trail to this summit, the easiest approach is along the southwest ridge for about a half-mile just past the shelter.  Distance from the Aspen Grove trailhead to Emerald Lake is approximately 5.0 miles one-way with an elevation gain of about 3,450 feet.  To the 11,749-foot main summit of Mount Timpanogos; the distance is around 6.9 miles one-way via the non-technical route with an elevation gain of approximately 4,850 feet.

The Emerald Lake shelter provides
protection and rest for hikers

Mountain goats hug the rocky slopes
on the ridges of Mount Timpanogos