Yes, the Ride Around Timp.
Sounds benign, but this is on a mountain bike on as many trails as you can ride, minimal pavement.
Map of our RAT route. Note 7 hours time (includes breaks)
Conrad and I decided to attempt this ride on the 4th of July, because we had the time and it required no money. We invited others, but when time came to ride it, only Conrad and I could find the time.
We left at 6:30 AM and rode up 1600 North in Orem to the road behind the Orem Cemetery, up to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST). Then we followed the water tank road all the way to where it drops down to Nunns Park. From there we took the Provo River trail to Vivian Park.
At Vivian park we went out on the Highway to Sundance, then up to Aspen Grove. There were many roadies making the climb up around the Alpine loop. We followed them up to Aspen Grove. Well, I followed them, even passed a couple, but Conrad, I think he passed all that were in site. That can be humiliating to some extent, especially when you're on some $5000 road bike and dudes on mountain bikes pass you. Makes you want to throw something in their spokes.
At Aspen Grove we started up the dirt trail. This is also a great place to eat a few calories and refill the water. That is one great thing about this ride, you have a few places with bathrooms and water; namely Vivian Park, Aspen Grove and the Timpanooke trailhead.
Starting up the dirt trail from Aspen Grove, you pass the shack and you share this trail from those hikers that are hiking Timpanogos, but shortly after passing the shack we turned right onto the Lame Horse trail.
The Lame Horse trail starts out with challenging switchbacks. They are not too steep, but the trail for the first 1/2 mile is covered with loose rock, the most technical aspects are created by the bigger mini boulders that vary from bowling ball size to baby head size. I had to walk portions, but I've seen many riders clean this section.
Soon the trail turns to rain-forest quality. Lots of shade provided by numerous trees and a very rideable trail that gains altitude gently for the most part. Rocks are a rarety on this part of the trail, but roots are common so be prepared to hop over them.
The next stop was the Summit. There is a bathroom there and I think there is water, we didn't need either because we were only about 30 minutes from the Timpanookee trail head, which had both.
The Summit trail head is a circular parking lot with the bathroom and a posted map in the middle. On the opposite side from where we came in is the trail to Salamander Flat. That is the trail we wanted. So we came into the trail head from the East and on the West side is the trail to Salamander flat.
Conrad on the trail To Salamander Flat
Salamander flat is an open area where camping is allowed. This day predictably there were a lot of people camping, being the 4th of July it was pretty crowded. Just on the other side of this is where you catch the rest of the trail. It climbs a small ridge and then meets the Timpanookee trail which turning right takes you to Pine Hollow and left takes you to Timpanookee. We went left to Timpanookee.
Conrad at Salamander Flat
We flew down that trail only to realized that the trail became a muddy creek at some points. Kind of fun, but sketchy; when you hit the mud the traction is negligible. So I hit the mud at good speed only to realize that I couldn't slow down to avoid obstacles once I was in the mud. Somehow we made it over the mud sections without any mishaps.
Arriving at the Timpanookee trail head, I asked the TERT host that was there if the trail to the right of the shack was the way to Julie Andrews meadow. He told me yes. So after filling up water and using the bathroom at the trailhead, we headed off to Julie Andrews meadow.
Me at the Fake Julie Andrews Meadow
The trail to Julie Andrews meadow was very tough. By now my legs were really tired and the ride at this point was push the bike up to the next rideable section, ride a bit, fall. Pick up the bike and my pride. Push the bike up to the next rideable section. Repeat.
At least the trail was clear, no fallen trees blocking our way. But the climbs were steep and covered with debris. Rock, limbs, more rocks, etc.
Some of the trail was awesome, big trees for shade, soft forest floor trail and sweet pine smell.
A good section on the way to Julie Andrews Meadow
The views here were spectacular. There was a meadow before Julie Andrews Meadow which I actually thought was Julie Andrews Meadow, but we still had a lot of climbs before getting there. I call this the fake Julie Andrews Meadow because it faked me out. I thought we were there, but no, lots to go.
Conrad at the Fake Julie Andrews Meadow
Julie Andrews Meadow was actually smaller than the first meadow we stopped at but the views were awesome. We met a forest service man and woman who were toting a chainsaw. They asked us if the trail was clear of fallen trees. We told them it was. Ironically the trail we were about to hit was really badly blocked by numerous fat tree trunks; tree trunks up to 3 feet in diameter.
We flew along this trail only to stop and scale big tree trunks with our bikes on our backs. The footing was a little dangerous because the trunks were not bare. Their limbs formed a picket fence-like barrier that required dexterity to fit you and your bike through. Then stepping on limbs that threaten a twisted ankle, bike and biker descend to the trail on the other side. Carefully we crossed many of these obstacles.
An easier way to get through this is to take a dirt road that parallels the trail. We chose the more challenging trail because it looked fun and we are gluttons for punishment.
After much of this punishment and beauty and lovely stress induced endorphins, we rounded the corner to see Utah Valley below. We were above Grove Creek Canyon and starting into Sagebrush flat.
The trail through Sagebrush flat is awesome if not well worn. It is almost indistiguishable in places, yet more than obvious in others. If you can make it to Sagebrush Flat, you are in for a treat because it is a reprieve for tired legs, a few little blip climbs but you hardly have to pedal at all through this section. There are a few endo opportunities though, where the overgrowth covers boulders, so stay alert and look for those boulders lurking for your front tire.
View from Sagebrush Flat looking down to Grove Creek trail which you can see in the distance.
Soon we hit the crossroads where trail 48 to Grove Creek crosses 151. We debated whether to stay the course and climb Big Baldy or bail out at Grove Creek. It was 12:30, we'd been riding for 6 hours and I was feeling it. Any small exersion was feeling painful. I really wanted to continue on, but I had a picnic at home that was supposed to start at 2:30 and that coupled with my fried legs pushed me to opt for the Grove Creek option.
So we decended Grove Creek. There are several places to get lost. The decent to the stream crossing is one of them. Make sure you cross at the footbridge. Conrad was ahead of me and I ended up at the stream but unable to cross because the stream was raging down a steep rock face, not a good place to cross, but that is where a false switchback had led me. I called Conrad on my cell phone. He told me to look for the footbridge. I backtracked and found where I had mistakenly taken the wrong switchback and crossed the footbridge to the north side of the stream.
Sounds benign, but this is on a mountain bike on as many trails as you can ride, minimal pavement.
Map of our RAT route. Note 7 hours time (includes breaks)
Conrad and I decided to attempt this ride on the 4th of July, because we had the time and it required no money. We invited others, but when time came to ride it, only Conrad and I could find the time.
We left at 6:30 AM and rode up 1600 North in Orem to the road behind the Orem Cemetery, up to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST). Then we followed the water tank road all the way to where it drops down to Nunns Park. From there we took the Provo River trail to Vivian Park.
At Vivian park we went out on the Highway to Sundance, then up to Aspen Grove. There were many roadies making the climb up around the Alpine loop. We followed them up to Aspen Grove. Well, I followed them, even passed a couple, but Conrad, I think he passed all that were in site. That can be humiliating to some extent, especially when you're on some $5000 road bike and dudes on mountain bikes pass you. Makes you want to throw something in their spokes.
At Aspen Grove we started up the dirt trail. This is also a great place to eat a few calories and refill the water. That is one great thing about this ride, you have a few places with bathrooms and water; namely Vivian Park, Aspen Grove and the Timpanooke trailhead.
Starting up the dirt trail from Aspen Grove, you pass the shack and you share this trail from those hikers that are hiking Timpanogos, but shortly after passing the shack we turned right onto the Lame Horse trail.
The Lame Horse trail starts out with challenging switchbacks. They are not too steep, but the trail for the first 1/2 mile is covered with loose rock, the most technical aspects are created by the bigger mini boulders that vary from bowling ball size to baby head size. I had to walk portions, but I've seen many riders clean this section.
Soon the trail turns to rain-forest quality. Lots of shade provided by numerous trees and a very rideable trail that gains altitude gently for the most part. Rocks are a rarety on this part of the trail, but roots are common so be prepared to hop over them.
The next stop was the Summit. There is a bathroom there and I think there is water, we didn't need either because we were only about 30 minutes from the Timpanookee trail head, which had both.
The Summit trail head is a circular parking lot with the bathroom and a posted map in the middle. On the opposite side from where we came in is the trail to Salamander Flat. That is the trail we wanted. So we came into the trail head from the East and on the West side is the trail to Salamander flat.
Conrad on the trail To Salamander Flat
Salamander flat is an open area where camping is allowed. This day predictably there were a lot of people camping, being the 4th of July it was pretty crowded. Just on the other side of this is where you catch the rest of the trail. It climbs a small ridge and then meets the Timpanookee trail which turning right takes you to Pine Hollow and left takes you to Timpanookee. We went left to Timpanookee.
Conrad at Salamander Flat
We flew down that trail only to realized that the trail became a muddy creek at some points. Kind of fun, but sketchy; when you hit the mud the traction is negligible. So I hit the mud at good speed only to realize that I couldn't slow down to avoid obstacles once I was in the mud. Somehow we made it over the mud sections without any mishaps.
Arriving at the Timpanookee trail head, I asked the TERT host that was there if the trail to the right of the shack was the way to Julie Andrews meadow. He told me yes. So after filling up water and using the bathroom at the trailhead, we headed off to Julie Andrews meadow.
Me at the Fake Julie Andrews Meadow
The trail to Julie Andrews meadow was very tough. By now my legs were really tired and the ride at this point was push the bike up to the next rideable section, ride a bit, fall. Pick up the bike and my pride. Push the bike up to the next rideable section. Repeat.
At least the trail was clear, no fallen trees blocking our way. But the climbs were steep and covered with debris. Rock, limbs, more rocks, etc.
Some of the trail was awesome, big trees for shade, soft forest floor trail and sweet pine smell.
A good section on the way to Julie Andrews Meadow
The views here were spectacular. There was a meadow before Julie Andrews Meadow which I actually thought was Julie Andrews Meadow, but we still had a lot of climbs before getting there. I call this the fake Julie Andrews Meadow because it faked me out. I thought we were there, but no, lots to go.
Conrad at the Fake Julie Andrews Meadow
Julie Andrews Meadow was actually smaller than the first meadow we stopped at but the views were awesome. We met a forest service man and woman who were toting a chainsaw. They asked us if the trail was clear of fallen trees. We told them it was. Ironically the trail we were about to hit was really badly blocked by numerous fat tree trunks; tree trunks up to 3 feet in diameter.
We flew along this trail only to stop and scale big tree trunks with our bikes on our backs. The footing was a little dangerous because the trunks were not bare. Their limbs formed a picket fence-like barrier that required dexterity to fit you and your bike through. Then stepping on limbs that threaten a twisted ankle, bike and biker descend to the trail on the other side. Carefully we crossed many of these obstacles.
An easier way to get through this is to take a dirt road that parallels the trail. We chose the more challenging trail because it looked fun and we are gluttons for punishment.
After much of this punishment and beauty and lovely stress induced endorphins, we rounded the corner to see Utah Valley below. We were above Grove Creek Canyon and starting into Sagebrush flat.
The trail through Sagebrush flat is awesome if not well worn. It is almost indistiguishable in places, yet more than obvious in others. If you can make it to Sagebrush Flat, you are in for a treat because it is a reprieve for tired legs, a few little blip climbs but you hardly have to pedal at all through this section. There are a few endo opportunities though, where the overgrowth covers boulders, so stay alert and look for those boulders lurking for your front tire.
View from Sagebrush Flat looking down to Grove Creek trail which you can see in the distance.
Soon we hit the crossroads where trail 48 to Grove Creek crosses 151. We debated whether to stay the course and climb Big Baldy or bail out at Grove Creek. It was 12:30, we'd been riding for 6 hours and I was feeling it. Any small exersion was feeling painful. I really wanted to continue on, but I had a picnic at home that was supposed to start at 2:30 and that coupled with my fried legs pushed me to opt for the Grove Creek option.
So we decended Grove Creek. There are several places to get lost. The decent to the stream crossing is one of them. Make sure you cross at the footbridge. Conrad was ahead of me and I ended up at the stream but unable to cross because the stream was raging down a steep rock face, not a good place to cross, but that is where a false switchback had led me. I called Conrad on my cell phone. He told me to look for the footbridge. I backtracked and found where I had mistakenly taken the wrong switchback and crossed the footbridge to the north side of the stream.
Now the decent was on a precarious narrow slate covered trail which offered no protection from the 300 to 500 foot drop to the creek bed below. After decending that trail for 30 minutes we were finally down to the pavement for a 10 minute ride home.
Grove Creek trail after crossing the footbridge. One slip and you're in big trouble
Conclusion
Although we did ride around timp, we bailed before the final climb up Big Baldy. That would have been fun, but time and my wasted state didn't really allow it. There is always next time. The only part of the trail that I would love to avoid is the section from Timpanookee to Julie Andrews. Aside from that, this was an epic ride not to be missed.
