With White Baldy Mountain looming above, start hiking through a forest of aspens near a creek. After crossing the creek several times, the trail veers away for a short distance. A series of long swithbacks start, and the trail goes back across the creek for the last time. As you approach the creek, waist-high ferns suddenly appear from nowhere. Enjoy this cool area because the terrain will change drastically to a more arid environment. With fewer trees, you can see Mount Timpanogos in the distance. As you hike the switchbacks, you encounter a sealed mine and waterfalls, which flow into a marsh with beaver ponds. At Silver Lake, the water is crystal clear with three waterfalls raging off the mountain from the White Baldy Peak mountains.

Getting there: From Highway 92 in Utah County, drive up American Fork Canyon. The road splits after Timpanogos Caves. Turn left for Tibble Fork Reservoir. Drive past the reservoir and turn left for Granite Flat Campground. Just before the campground, you will turn right onto a gravel road. Drive 3 miles to the trailhead parking area.

 

-- - Photo, text and graphic by Steve Baker (baker@sltrib.com)