Chad Hunter looks at Mount Timpanogos from Salamander Flat in 1999. Original trail review July 12, 1999 by Bruce. Latest update August 14, 2018.
Salamander Flat Loop
(AKA Timpooneke Loop)The Salamander Flat Loop is a long-time classic for bikers in northern Utah County. This trail
is great for a quick after-work ride in the cool alpine splendor of the
ridges near Mount Timpanogos.
Because it originates at the Timpooneke trailhead, some riders call it
the Timpooneke loop.
The loop follows the Salamander Flat Trail 150 (part of the Great Western Trail) from the Timpooneke
trailhead at the base of Mount Timpanogos up the Pine Hollow trail, then
on to Ridge Trail
157. It drops down the Ridge Connector trail to Salamander Flat, where
it catches the western
end of the Willow Hollow trail back to the Salamander Flat trail.
Timpooneke trailhead. Popular spot! There are two large parking lots, both of which may be full on Saturdays.
Grinding uphill through huge trees as we climb away from Timpooneke.
The ride is around 5.1 miles round trip. The trails are intermediate technical -- a grunt climb
in Pine Hollow and the switchbacks and root-drops on Ridge Connector may
challenge some riders.
The absolute elevation gain is 600 feet. The total climbing will come
to around 900 vertical
feet, as the trail is an up-and-down rather than a sustained climb. With
a few stops to admire
the scenery, the ride is easily completed in 90 minutes.
The Salamander Flat trail, the Timpooneke trail, and the Timpanogos Perimeter section of the
Great Western begin together at the Timpooneke trailhead within the Timpooneke
campground at
7000 feet elevation. Go straight south from the parking lot on the Timpooneke
Trail, then turn
left across a footbridge that crosses the creek onto Salamander Flat Trail
#150. (Note that
bikes are NOT allowed on the Timpooneke Trail as it enters the wilderness
area!)
Trail signs are excellent in American Fork Canyon. But in case you didn't see it, you're supposed to fork to the left across the creek.
Climbing through a mixed forest of aspen and conifer on the Salamander Flat trail.
The trail climbs through deep pines, then rolls up and down through aspen, spruce, choke cherry,
and elderberry trees with a riot of wildflowers. Almost all of this ride
is in deep forest,
with only a couple of short breakouts where there are views.
At mile 1.0, the trail crosses the Alpine Loop road. Shortly afterward, keep straight as the
Snow Gauge trail joins you on your right.
Zipping around the turns in the aspens just north of the spot where Salamander Flat 150 crosses the Alpine Loop road.
Rare view of the mountains, on the way back just after rejoining the Salamander Flat trail.
After climbing to a ridgeline -- with a view of Timpanogos behind your right shoulder -- keep
straight as the Willow Hollow trail forks away on the right around mile
1.4. On this part of
the ride, you'll skirt Salamander Flat to the west. When the trail drops
down to the creek
0.1 miles later, turn left (away from Salamander Flat) and cross the creek
to the continuing
trail.
At mile 2.2, the Salamander Flat trail ends on the Pine Hollow trail. Keep to the right at
the trail fork and begin a stiff climb. When the trail levels out, it
will skirt a big meadow
before climbing up to Ridge Trail 157 at mile 2.8.
Powering uphill over roots on the tough climb in Pine Hollow.
Joining the Ridge Trail after climbing Pine Hollow. Right for Salamander Flat, left for Tibble Fork, South Fork, or Mill Canyon.
Turn right on Ridge 157. After a quick gentle descent, you'll begin climbing again. After around
1/2 mile on Ridge 157, you'll reach a trail fork on a ridgeline. Fork
to the right on the Ridge
Connector trail.
The Ridge Connector hustles quickly downhill to the meadow at Salamander Flat. Speedy traverses
connect through a series of switchback turns.
The trail gets meaner as you approach the bottom. There some steeps, with root-drops and dodge-ems.
Intermediates may need to walk through a few spots.
Rolling a switchback on the Ridge Connector.
Drone view of the Salamander Flat area as we approach the Willow Hollow trail from the Ridge Connector.
At mile 3.8, the Ridge Connector ends on the Willow Hollow trail. Keep to the right (ignoring
the smaller trails leading to campsites) and drop down across the creek
westbound. Cross the
parking area to continue uphill on Willow Hollow.
Willow Hollow ends on Salamander Flat trail 150. Turn to the left (south) and begin your trip
back to the trailhead.
Zooming through dense forest on the way back to Timpooneke.
Chad shows off for the camera. Real men ride in the snow. Without a coat. On one wheel. November 20, 1999.
Off-season riding!This trail is good for late-season riding. After the Alpine Loop road is closed
(usually November 1), just park at the Pine Hollow trailhead and ride your bike 1.9 miles
up the Loop road, turning right into the Timpooneke Campground to catch the trail. The
trail provides a good riding surface even with a few inches of snow. Once
the deep snow hits, the Salamander Flat trail is groomed for fat biking.
As spring comes, occasional snowdrifts and mud will persist among the deep pines.
Therefore the Forest Service closes these trails until conditions allow
them to be ridden without damage. If you're thinking of riding before
June, check on-line to see if the trails are open!
Other riding options!For a great 12-mile ride, take the GWT to
Ridge 157 as above, but
turn LEFT. After 1.6 miles, turn right onto the
South Fork
trail at the 4-way intersection with the Tibble Fork Trail. Loop down-and-back
to the
Alpine Loop summit, then head north on Ridge 157 back to the Pine Hollow
trail fork and
roll down to Timpooneke.
Another variation is to pass the Ridge Connector (caution, steep climbing ahead) and continue
on Ridge 157 to the Summit parking area. Descend Willow Hollow all the
way to Salamander Flat.
Other nice trails in this area include
Timpanogos Perimeter
,
Ridge 157
,
Deer Creek South Fork
, and
Tibble Fork
.
View down the Willow Hollow "Summit" Trail (optional return above). Box Elder peak is in the background. September 20, 1999.
Riding notes for the loop:
0.0 Trail next to bathroom
N40 25.890 W111 38.343
Keep left (R = Timp
Perimeter)
0.1 L across bridge (straight = wilderness)
N40 25.791 W111 38.354
0.85 Left N40 26.058 W111 37.896
0.9 Cross road N40 26.103 W111 37.830
1.0 Keep straight (R = Snow Gauge)
N40 26.156 W111 37.746
1.4 Straight (R = Willow Hollow) N40 26.411 W111 37.719
1.5 4-way, go L across creek N40 26.471 W111 37.629
2.2 R on Pine Hollow N40 26.751 W111 37.650
2.8 R on Ridge 157 N40 26.680 W111 37.022
3.2 R on Ridge Connector N40 26.500 W111 37.189
3.7 Join Willow Hollow, keep R N40 26.435 W111 37.549
3.8 L on Salamander Flat trail N40 26.409 W111 37.720
5.2 Back at trailhead
Map of the Salamander Flat loop.
Getting there: From I-15, take the
Alpine-Highland exit and drive 7 miles to the mouth of American Fork Canyon. Pay your
$6
fee (as of 2018) there. Five miles later at the fork in the road, go along the south fork of the river.
About 4 miles up, there's a T in the road. Turn right into the Timpooneke Campground road.
The parking area is on your left about 1/4 mile later.
Camping: Timpooneke
Bathroom: Trailhead
Water: Trailhead
