Discovery

The Timpanogos Cave System story 

begins with the discovery of the fi rst 

cave, later named Hansen Cave, by 

Martin Hansen in October 1887. 

Hansen discovered the cave entrance 

by following mountain lion tracks in 

newly fallen snow.

In 1913, fourteen year old boys, 

James W. Gough and Frank Johnson 

discovered Timpanogos Cave. The 

boys were exploring near Hansen Cave 

when they cleared an area around a rock with mineralization 

on it and the rock fell into the void that was the entrance to 

Timpanogos Cave. However, the entrance location was lost 

until rediscovered by Vearl J. Manwill on August 14, 1921. After exploring the cave with his group, they formed the Payson 

Alpine Group that evening around the campfi re, resolving to 

protect the cave.

In October, 1921 Middle Cave was discovered by Heber and 

Wayne Hansen, the son and grandson of Martin Hansen 

while exploring the area around the known caves. After 

fi nding the cave, they reported their discovery to the family, 

including Martin Hansen, who accompanied the group on 

their next visit. 

Becoming a National Monument

The U.S. Forest Service was well aware of Hansen Cave, but 

it wasn’t until 1921 when Timpanogos Cave was rediscovered 

and Middle Cave discovered that something to protect the 

caves had to be put into place. Forest offi cials and others had 

toured Hansen Cave, noting the damage caused by uncontrolled access and were concerned about the future of the 

other caves. President Warren G. Harding issued the proclamation creating the monument, which included all three caves 

on October 14, 1922. Government reorganization in 1933 led 

to the transfer of the monument to the National Park Service 

in 1934, and the agency still manages the caves today.

First Cave Tours

The fi rst cave tours were given by Martin Hansen from 1888-

1891 for a nominal fee, but only of Hansen Cave. Much of 

Hansen Cave was closed to the public until 1998 when the 

Introduction to Caving Tour began. Still available today, for 

the same price per person-$15, reservations are required, but 

this is the tour to see how and why Hansen started it all.

Cave Tour Turnaround

Tours of 

Timpanogos 

Cave began in 

May, 1922 and 

were led by 

guides hired by 

the Timpanogos 

Cave Committee. 

Because the connecting tunnels 

did not exist yet, 

all tours made a loop through the lower passage off of Chimes 

Chamber. 

One-Way Cave Tours

The fi rst one-way cave tour through all three caves was given 

on April 30, 1939. The construction of connecting tunnels 

from 1936-1938 forever changed cave tour operations. Also at 

this time the Last Chance Restroom at the entrance to Hansen 

Cave was completed. 

Talking to Each Other

Communication between rangers at the caves and the canyon 

fl oor ticket sales staff has always required ingenuity. In the 

1920s, a system of car honking alerted rangers that visitors 

were on the way. Soon, this gave way to a handcrank telephone, known to give a shock to the caller during bad weather. In 1976, the telephone was taken out and radios allowed 

for monument wide communication. Today, radios are still in 

use, as well as a landline phone and cell phones.

First Superintendent’s Legacy

Tom Walker, from 

American Fork, 

Utah, and longtime 

monument employee, was the fi rst 

Superintendent of 

the monument from 

1946-1969. In fact, 

signage from his time 

still exists-look closely 

at the cave trail signage just above the Visitor Center. That 

wooden background, though painted over many times, still 

shows evidence of the old routed cave trail orientation sign.

Timpanogos

Reflections

Visitor Guide - 2012 National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Timpanogos Cave National Monument

UTAH’S PUBLIC LANDS

Continued on page 2

Forest Service

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National 

Forest

What’s New 3 Go Underground 5 Lend A Hand 6

T impanogos Cave National Monument turns 90 this year. It’s been a wild ride 

from cave discovery to today’s Introduction to Caving Tour and everything 

in between. Here are a few moments that share the story of this special place.

Wherever you see this symbol, 

you’ll know your recreation dollars 

are hard at work helping to fund 

this project. Thank you for helping 

to make a difference in your parks 

and forests.

Thank You!

ts.

Ninety Memorable Years

Visitors enjoy cross-country skiing Cave Tour in Chimes Chamber, 1958 Volunteers repair sections of trail NPS

USFS

NPS

INSIDE:

Welcome! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Canyon Passes . . . . . . . . . . 2

Your Fees at Work . . . . . . . 3

Plan Your Canyon Visit . . . 4

Wasatch Mt. State Park . . . 4

Visiting Timpanogos Cave . 5

Cave Research . . . . . . . . . . 6

Lend A Hand . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Become a Jr. Ranger . . . . . . 7

Canyon Kids . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

American Fork Canyon 

Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Emergency: 911

Sheriff: (801) 375-3601

The fi rst Visitor Center was dedicated 

under Walker’s tenure in 1964. It was a 

Mission 66 structure that contained a 

museum, auditorium, offi ce space, ticket 

sales, restrooms and adjoining snack bar 

and gift shop. On February 3, 1991 an 

overloaded extension cord and heat tape 

on the roof started a fi re that destroyed 

most of the building. Today, the Visitor 

Center is still housed in a modular building installed in 1991. West of the Visitor 

Center, the snack bar and bar gift shop 

NPS

y

Visitors at the entrance to Timpanogos Cave

Superintendent Walker at cave trail sign

Martin Hansen
2 2012

Timpanogos Refl ections Timpanogos Refl ections

are all that is left of the original facility. 

Staffi ng 

During WWII school teachers and students were 

hired as cave tour guides out of necessity. Today 

that tradition partly continues because of compatible schedules. Sherma E. Bierhaus became the fi rst 

female superintendent in the National Park Service at 

Timpanogos Cave National Monument from 1974-

1982. Think you could bring something to the monument staff ? All openings for the monument are posted 

on www. usajobs.gov.

to Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest and Timpanogos Cave National Monument! 

Over 300,000 acres await your exploration and enjoyment in American Fork Canyon. From 

an elevation of 4,500 feet at the entrance to the 11,750 foot summit of Mount Timpanogos, American Fork Canyon off ers an experience of unmatched sights, sounds, and solitude. We trust that you will have a wonderful time as you explore 

and experience this great canyon. While you are here, take time to relax and set aside your cares for a while. As you drive through 

the canyon, hike to the cave, ski or snowshoe a wintry trail or watch wildlife foraging in the brush, we hope you will lose yourself 

in the power of this beautiful landscape.

Famed naturalist John Muir once noted that “change is the only constant in the universe”, and American Fork Canyon is not immune. As the population of the Wasatch Front grows each year, so does visitation to the canyon and the surrounding lands. As 

public land managers, we are challenged every day to provide for as much appropriate use and enjoyment of these lands as we 

can while still ensuring their protection today and in the future. It’s a diffi cult balancing act, and we cannot do it without your 

help. Timpanogos Cave National Monument and the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest belong to us all, and as such, we have 

a shared stewardship role. 

There are many ways to help, from sharing the fi nancial costs through your recreation fees to volunteering your time on a trail 

restoration project, the county search and rescue team or the Timpanogos Cave trail patrol program. Stay informed and engaged 

as we develop plans and seek public input. The easiest, and most important, is simply to be responsible and respectful of the 

land and other people while you are here. So again, Welcome! These are your public lands to enjoy, protect, and pass on to future 

generations. We hope you will be refreshed and restored during your visit, and stay connected to 

this magnifi cent landscape long after you have returned home. 

90 Years of Memories (cont.)

Sylvia Clark

WEB SITES

National Park Service

Timpanogos Cave National Monument ......www.nps.gov/tica

National Park Service .......................................www.nps.gov

Western National Parks Association. ...... www.wnpa.org NPS 

Campground Reservations ..................... www.recreation.gov

National Park Foundation ................. www.nationalparks.org

Forest Service - U.S. Department of Agricuture

Uinta National Forest ......................... www.fs.fed.us/r4/uwc/

Forest Service .................................................www.fs.fed.us

Forest Service Campground Reservation www.recreation.gov

National Forest Foundation ...................www.natlforests.org

Smokey Bear ..................................... www.smokeybear.com

Other

Public Lands Information ....................... www.recreation.gov

State of Utah ................................................ www.utah.gov

Utah Department of Transportation ....... www.udot.utah.gov

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources .... www.wildlife.utah.gov

Utah State Parks ............................www.stateparks.utah.gov

FREQUENTLY REQUESTED TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Law Enforcement

EMERGENCY .................................................................... 911

Division of Wildlife Resources .........................(801) 491-5678

Highway Patrol ...............................................(801) 374-7030

Poaching Hotline ............................................(800) 662-3337

Utah County Sheriff Dispatch .........................(801) 851-4100

Ranger Stations

Timpanogos Cave National Monument ..........(801) 756-5239

Pleasant Grove Ranger District .......................(801) 785-3563

 Timpanogos Cave Visitor Center ....................(801) 756-5238

 Wasatch Mountain State Park .......................(435) 654-1791

Nearby National Parks

Arches ...........................................................(435) 719-2299

Bryce Canyon ................................................(435) 834-5322

Capitol Reef ..................................................(435) 425-3791

Glen Canyon .................................................(928) 608-6200

Golden Spike .................................................(435) 471-2209

Grand Canyon ...............................................(928) 638-7888

Grand Teton ..................................................(307) 739-3300

Great Basin ....................................................(775) 234-7331

Yellowstone ...................................................(307) 344-7381

Zion ...............................................................(435) 772-3256

Other

Avalanche Information ..................................(888) 999-4019

Recreation Reservation Service .......................(877) 444-6777

Road Conditions ............................................(866) 511-8824

Utah County Convention & Visitors Bureau ....(800) 222-8824

Utah Travel Council........................................(800) 200-1160

Weather ........................................................(801) 524-3057

Jim Ireland

Timpanogos Refl ections is published yearly by the 

National Park Service, Timpanogos Cave National 

Monument, and the U.S. Forest Service, UintaWasatch-Cache National Forest, to enhance visitor 

experience.

Editor-in-Chief:

 Michael Gosse, Chief Ranger

Layout & Design:

 Karissa DeCarlo, NPS Ranger

Writers:

 Michael Gosse, NPS Chief Ranger

 Kathy Donnell, Wasatch Mt. State Park

 Cami McKinney, NPS Chief of Resource Mgmt.

 Geri Larsen, US Forest Service

 Jeff Sorenson, US Forest Service

 Karissa DeCarlo, NPS Ranger

 Cheryl Butler, US Forest Service

Feature Story:

 Karissa DeCarlo, NPS Ranger

Photographers:

 Andrew McKinney, NPS Ranger

 cover photo: Silver Lake

 Cheryl Butler, US Forest Service

Illustrator:

 Karissa DeCarlo, NPS Ranger

Cartographer:

 Leah Smith, US Forest Service

Please address comments to:

Editor, Timpanogos Refl ections

Timpanogos Cave NM

RR 3, Box 200

American Fork, UT 84003-9800

TICA_Ranger_Activities@nps.gov

Help preserve natural resources. Please return this 

paper to a fee station or Visitor Center.

Welcome! Bienvenue!

Bienvenidos! Wilkommen!

Sylvia Clark Jim Ireland

Pleasant Grove District Ranger Superintendent

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache NF Timpanogos Cave NM

Canyon Passes

Interagency Access Pass 

- Free

This is a lifetime pass for 

U.S. citizens or permanent residents with 

permanent disabilities. Documentation is required to 

obtain the pass and must be obtained in person. The 

pass provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation 

sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity 

fee. Non-transferable.

Interagency Senior Pass - $10.00

This is a lifetime pass for U.S. 

citizens or permanent residents 

age 62 or over. The pass provides 

access to, and use of, Federal 

recreation sites that charge an 

Entrance or Standard Amenity fee. Non-transferable.

The majority of fees collected remain in American Fork Canyon/Alpine Scenic Loop Area to improve visitor services, 

maintain recreation facilities, enhance wildlife habitat, and protect natural and cultural resources. The Uinta-WasatchCache National Forest, Timpanogos Cave National Monument and our partners appreciate your support. The following passes are available at the fee stations and Forest Service and Park Service offi ces. Cave tour fees are additional.

Canyon Recreation Fee 

Allows recreating and use of facilities in American Fork Canyon, 

along the Alpine Loop and at Mirror Lake. May be purchased at the 

fee stations or the Pleasant Grove 

Ranger District Offi ce.

Three-day pass - $6.00

Seven-day pass - $12.00

Annual Pass - $45.00

For more information or to purchase the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, Senior Pass or Access Pass online, 

visit the Internet at http://store.usgs.gov/pass or call 1-888-ASKUSGS, Ext. 1.

All Golden Access and Golden Age Passports will continue to be honored according to the provisions of the pass. Only paper 

Golden Age and Access Passports may be exchanged free of charge for new plastic passes.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. To fi le a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Offi ce of Civil 

Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

Price of A Cave Tour

You might think that the fi rst cave tour fee increase 

probably happened pretty quickly. In fact, ticket prices 

were the same for 60 years! That’s right, starting in 

1922 an adult cave tour ticket was fi fty cents. Prices 

rose for an adult cave tour ticket in 1982 to $1. Learn 

more about how your fees have been hard at work on 

page three.

Partners for the Future

We all have a role in the future of Timpanogos Cave 

National Monument. Visitors, volunteers, staff , and 

other agencies all can help protect and preserve the 

legacy that the discoverers and caretakers left in these 

fi rst 90 years. 

Children can 

become Junior 

Rangers, teenagers can become 

volunteer Behind 

A Tour Specialists (B.A.T.S.), 

and adults can 

become trail 

patrol volunteers 

or numerous other roles. All of us working together 

and caring for the monument will leave a resource to 

be treasured for many years to come.

America the Beautiful—

National Parks and Federal 

Recreational Lands

Annual Pass- $80.00 

This pass is available to the general public and provides access 

to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance 

or Standard Amenity Fee for a year, beginning from the date of 

sale. Non-transferable.

Monument brochures: 1965 in back, 

modern in middle and 1954 in front.

Feature story photos from NPS.

Sincerely, 

Annual Pass for Military - Free

This is an annual pass available 

to active military personnel and 

their dependents. A Department of Defense ID (CAC card 

or DD Form 1173) is required to 

obtain the pass and must be obtained in person. The pass 

provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that 

charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity fee. Non-transferable.
3

American Fork Canyon

UTAH’S PUBLIC LANDS

Your Canyon Fees at Work

American Fork Canyon off ers a wide array of diverse 

recreational opportunities. Whether you prefer 

fi shing, hiking, camping, cycling, or taking leisurely 

drives along the beautiful winding roads–American 

Fork Canyon has it all. Many of the amenities that 

make this canyon so appealing to 1.2 million recreationists annually are made possible by your canyon 

fees. The majority of canyon fees are applied directly 

toward projects within American Fork Canyon. 

Keep reading to fi nd out where your fees have been 

hard at work.

Historic Highlight: Theater-in-the-Pines Amphitheater Cared for by Your Fee Dollars

Youth and student groups from Brigham Young 

University began the use of Aspen Grove as a staging area for hikes up Mt. Timpanogos beginning in 

1906. By the 1910s, 10,000 hikers a year ventured up 

the long and diffi cult trail to the peak. A wooden 

platform built in the 1910s served as the only meeting place for the large groups hiking up to Mt. 

Timpanogos. With the help of Forest Service architect George Nichols who created the blueprints for 

the theater, young men with the Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration constructed the 2,000 seat amphitheater you see today. 

Theater-in-the-Pines amphitheater was built between 1934 and 1936, at the height of America’s 

Great Depression. The unique starburst design 

overlooking the stage does not appear in other Forest 

Service amphitheater designs. After the designation 

of the area as the Mount Timpanogos Wilderness in 

1984, the Forest Service set group size limits to 15 

people in order to protect the fragile environment of 

the area. 

The Forest Service continues to maintain this 

historic theater, and completed stabilization eff orts 

in 2010. Visitors are encouraged to experience this 

piece of canyon history.

Extreme Snowfall and Wet Spring Lead to 

Multiple Campground and Road Repairs

Record snowpack that was 172% above average for 

Northern Utah set the stage for potential American 

Fork Canyon fl ooding. The Forest Service and Utah 

Department of Transportation initiated preventative mitigation projects to protect SR-92 and canyon 

facilities. Riverbanks were reinforced, log jams that 

inhibited water fl ow were removed and sand bags 

were prepared. 

Summer heat arrived in July, bringing down torrents of water into the canyon as the upper elevation 

snowpack quickly melted. The Forest Service, Utah 

County Sheriff ’s Department and volunteers placed 

walls of sandbags to keep riverbanks intact, protect facilities and direct water off of SR-92. Mount 

Timpanogos Campground campers were evacuated 

as the river overfl owed its banks severly damaging a 

campground bridge. Mitigation eff orts prior to the 

fl ooding and multiple repairs following the fl ooding 

and were made possible by fee revenue. Thanks to 

your support, all the damage from 2011 fl ooding has 

become a memory.

Cave Tours and Ranger Programs

Timpanogos Cave National Monument hired 3 

National Park Service rangers with support from fee 

revenue to increase visitor safety and programming 

options. These rangers provided additional cave 

tours throughout the season. The increased staffi ng 

also provided free guided walks at Cascade Springs 

and the Timpanogos Cave Canyon Nature Trail. 

Enhanced safety messaging was also implemented 

on the cave trail with the addition of a new safety 

stop for all trail hikers. Finally, local school children 

continued to be the focus of free outreach programs 

with rangers being provided for classroom presentations.

Maintenance and Improvements Made Possible 

by Your Fees in 2011

• Maintained 90 miles of trails open to: hiking, 

biking, equestrian use, and motorized vehicles. 

• Operated and maintained 7 picnic areas, 2 interpretive sites, 2 fi shing sites, 1 observation site, 

7 dispersed camping sites, 2 cross country ski 

trails, and 14 trailheads.

• Conducted security, compliance, education and 

information patrols.

• Completed slurry seal and asphalt repair at 

Granite Flat Campground.

• Completed re-routing the Tibble Fork Trail.

• Initiated a one-mile re-route along the South 

fork of the Little Deer Creek Trail to protect 

resources.

• Installed a new “Smokey Fire Prevention” sign 

near the Aspen Grove Information Station.

• Provided winter snow plowing, trailhead and 

facility maintenance, and grooming of cross 

country ski trails.

• Repaired and installed new signs at trail junctions and trailheads that were damaged during 

the winter.

• Replaced or repaired ~200 linear feet of post and 

rail fence throughout the canyon.

• Installed ~200 linear feet of barrier rock all over 

the canyon to protect forest resources.

• Supplemented an extensive volunteer program 

in American Fork Canyon.

• Maintained and fostered the recreation fee 

partnership with the National Park Service, Utah 

County Sheriff s and Utah Country Search and 

Rescue, Utah Department of Transportation, 

and Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation.

• Provided interpretive tours twice a week at Cascade Springs in partnership with Timpanogos 

Cave National Monument.

• Groomed 35 miles of snowmobile trails in 

American Fork Canyon and the Alpine Loop 

Recreation Area in partnership with Wasatch 

Mountain State Park.

• Conducted 4,171 cave tours during the season 

for 59,869 visitors.

• Presented 58 evening programs for 1,011 visitors.

• Conducted 21 guided walks at Cascade Springs 

for 2,200 visitors.

• Led 2 guided walks on the Canyon Nature Trail 

for 54 visitors.

• Presented 30 educational outreach programs for 

3,250 people.

• Presented 33 Junior Ranger programs for 1,725 

children.

Upcoming for 2012

Timpooneke Trailhead Reconstruction

The Timpooneke Trailhead is one of the main starting points for hiking Mount Timpanogos. For years it 

has been a goal to reconstruct this trailhead in order 

to accommodate increased visitor demand for parking capacity. Through a state of Utah non-motorized 

trail grant, recreation fee dollars and volunteer assistance this project will be implemented this year.

Construction to expand trailhead parking will begin 

in mid-August to early September. The construction 

will impact access to the Timpooneke trail and other 

popular trails in the area. In a typical year, the Timpooneke Trailhead cannot accommodate the high 

use that occurs on Saturdays and holidays. We recommend planning your hike Monday through Friday 

or Sundays to avoid the extra congestion. More 

information on where to park during construction 

will be available at canyon information booths and at 

the Pleasant Grove Ranger District offi ce.

Ranger Programs

Junior Ranger programs at the Timpanogos Cave 

Visitor Center will continue this year every Saturday 

and holiday from Memorial Day through Labor Day. 

Meet at 10:00 a.m. for this free, one-hour program. 

Free evening ranger program presentations will 

continue to be off ered every Friday and Saturday 

evening from 7:00-8:00 p.m., Memorial Day through 

Labor Day. Free ranger guided walks at Cascade 

Springs will be off ered at 10:00 a.m. beginning in 

mid-June through mid-August.

Thank you for your support. For additional information or comments, please contact:

Pleasant Grove Ranger District

390 North 100 East

Pleasant Grove, Utah 84062

(801) 785-3563

Timpanogos Cave National Monument 

RR 3, Box 200

American Fork, UT 84003

(801) 756-5239

A backhoe at Mount Timpanogos Campground removes 

debris from clogged culverts during Spring 2011 fl ooding.

USFS

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, June-August 2012

Where: Meet at the Gazebo in the 

 lower parking lot

All ages are invited to attend this free accessible program. Be prepared with water, sunscreen and walking shoes. Please call (801) 756-5238 or visit www.

nps.gov/tica and click calendar of events for details.

Free Ranger-Guided Tours of Cascade 

Springs

Learn about Cascade Springs with a ranger. Learn about Cascade Sp

NPS

Theater-in-the-Pines in the 1930s.

USFS

The Theater undergoing rehabilitation in 2010.

USFS
4 2012

Timpanogos Refl ections Timpanogos Refl ections

Make the Most of Your Canyon Visit

A Few Hours

Explore the Canyon Nature Trail. Start this 

easy, paved trail at Swinging Bridge Picnic area 

or across from the Timpanogos Cave Visitor 

Center. Along the 1/4 mile trail, new waysides 

highlight the habitats, plants and animals found 

in the Canyon. 

Take in an Evening Program or Junior Ranger 

Program. Join a Ranger at the Timpanogos Cave 

Visitor Center on Friday and Saturday evenings 

from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. for presentations about 

the park and surrounding area.

Pack a Lunch. Picnic areas with tables, grills, 

water, and restrooms are available at Swinging 

Bridge Picnic Site at Timpanogos Cave, along 

Highway 92, and Route 144 to Tibble Fork 

Reservoir.

A Half Day

Drive the Loop. The 20-mile Alpine Loop offers terrifi c views of Mount Timpanogos and 

other glacier-carved peaks. The narrow, winding 

route connects American Fork Canyon to Provo 

Canyon. A drive during autumn colors is truly 

breathtaking. Motorhomes and trailers longer 

than 30 feet are not recommended.

Visit Cascade Springs. This beautiful site is 

located 7.5 miles off the Alpine Loop on Forest 

Service Road 114, and consists of boardwalks 

over springs cascading down the mountain slope 

in a series of limestone terraces and pools.

Hike to the Cave. Stop at the Timpanogos Cave 

Visitor Center and purchase your tickets to an 

underground wonderland. The Timpanogos 

Cave System is a series of three caves connected 

by two man-made tunnels. Panoramic views of 

the valley dazzle you as you climb the 1,092 feet 

to the cave entrance.

Ride a Bike or a Horse. Enjoy the multiple use 

trails available in the National Forest and enjoy 

a bike ride or horseback ride where no cars can 

go.

A Whole Day

Sleep Under the Stars. American Fork Canyon 

has four developed campgrounds. Each site offers a table, grill, and access to water and restrooms during the 

summer.

Take a Hike. Over 

50 miles of hiking 

trails in the canyon 

range from level 

and easy to steep 

and arduous. Stop 

and ask a Ranger 

at the Timpanogos 

Cave Visitor Center 

or Pleasant Grove 

District Offi ce for 

recommended 

hikes, maps and 

guides.

Volunteer. Numerous opportunities are available to volunteer your time for a day to help 

other visitors out, maintain trails and facilities, 

and protect our natural and cultural resources.

Mt Timpanogos Wilderness

Bird’s eye view of a golf course at the park. UTDNR

Wonders of Wasatch 

Mountain State Park

Wasatch Mountain State Park lies just 

east of American Fork Canyon and 

although only an hour drive from the 

valley, people are pleasantly surprised 

when they stumble across it.

Wasatch Mountain State Park is proud 

to off er four 18-hole golf courses. But 

that isn’t all we off er. The 23,000 acres 

of Wasatch Mountain off ers something 

for everyone in every season. 

Enjoy the alpine terrain, rich landscapes and picturesque views while 

hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, 

or snowshoeing on its 29 miles of 

non-motorized trails. The park has 30 

miles of motorized trails connecting 

to National Forest Service land where 

visitors can ride four-wheelers and 

snowmobiles. 

UTDNR

Fall scenery is especially stunning.

To top off your experience, the park 

off ers camping, picnicking, horseback 

riding, fi shing and an opportunity to 

pick apples in the fall from the 1880’s 

historical homestead site all within a 

mile of the visitor center. 

Call (435) 654-1791 or visit 

www.stateparks.utah.gov/parks/wasatch

for details on the apple harvest and 

other activities you 

can enjoy at the 

park.

Evening Program at Timpanogos Cave Visitor Center

Slow Down, Save a Life

Good dispersed campers would never 

leave a site like this!

A perfect site to try out dispersed camping! 

Please leave all sites better than you found 

them.

Dispersed camping is the term used 

for camping anywhere in the National Forest outside of designated 

campgrounds. Dispersed camping 

means no toilets, no treated water, and no fi re pits are provided. 

Dispersed camping is not allowed in 

the vicinity of developed recreation 

areas such as campgrounds, picnic 

areas or trailheads. There are extra 

responsibilities and skills that are 

necessary for dispersed camping. 

It’s your responsibility to know 

these before you try this experience. 

Regulations:

•Dispersed camping is allowed up 

to 150 feet from a designated Forest 

Service Road 

•Dispersed camping is not allowed 

within 100 feet of water (we recommend 200 feet)

•Certain locations in the American 

Fork Canyon-Alpine Loop Recreation Area are not open to dispersed 

camping. Pay attention to signs that 

explain where dispersed camping is 

allowed.

•For dispersed camping you may 

occupy any general undeveloped 

area of National Forest Land for 

14 consecutive days in any 30 day 

consecutive period.

Responsible Dispersed Camping 

Includes:

Having a plan to deal with the disposal of human waste:

•Use a self contained system (portapotty, trailer, camper etc.) or,

•Follow the Leave No Trace principle 

of burying human waste in catholes 

6-8” deep at least 200 ft from water, 

camp or trails and then cover and disguise the cathole when fi nished.

•Using already established fi re rings 

instead of creating your own.

•Using sticks and logs found on the 

ground for your fi re instead of snapping branches off of live, dead or 

downed trees or cutting live trees.

•Camping on bare soil if possible, to 

avoid damaging or killing plants and 

grass.

•Avoiding the leveling or digging of 

trenches in the ground at your campsite. Select a campsite with good natural drainage.

•Packing out all of your trash, and 

leaving your campsite better than you 

found it.

Dispersed

Camping Over 1.2 million visitors annually recreate in American 

Fork Canyon. It is a wonderful area for visitors to enjoy 

hiking, biking, horseback 

riding, rock climbing, fi shing, 

cave tours and a myriad of 

other activities. However, the 

narrow, winding road, heavy 

traffi c and limited parking in 

the canyon presents some challenges for 

land managers and the Utah Department 

of Transportation (UDOT). 

Many Timpanogos Cave 

National Monument visitors have to walk across the 

highway or along the road 

shoulder to access the visitor center and cave trail. 

Pedestrian safety for canyon users is vitally important to all of us. In order to 

better protect our canyon 

visitors Timpanogos Cave is working 

with UDOT to increase driver awareness 

of pedestrians on the roadway, posted 

speed limits and congested areas.

Timpanogos Cave has increased enforcement of the posted speed limits throughout the park. Speed-display trailers will 

be used to notify drivers of their current 

speed, solar powered driver feedback 

signs may be installed, and active enforcement implemented. We hope that 

through a variety of methods drivers will 

slow down in the canyon and be more 

aware of the heavy pedestrian use along 

the roadway. 

Take a tip from a turtleslow down!
5

American Fork Canyon

UTAH’S PUBLIC LANDS

Monument Bookstore

You’ll fi nd many interesting materials to enhance your canyon experience at the 

Western National Parks Association Bookstore in the Timpanogos Cave Visitor 

Center. We offer books, posters, postcards, maps, gift items, and a whole lot 

more. Be sure to come see us while you’re here!

Please contact the Visitor Center for hours of operation at (801) 756-5238.

The Western National Parks Association is a nonprofi t cooperating 

association of the National Park Service. Through book sales the association 

helps support the interpretive activities at Timpanogos Cave National 

Monument. For more information please visit the Western National Parks 

Association web site at www.wnpa.org.

Visiting Timpanogos Cave

National Monument

Cave Tours

Tours of the 3 adjoining caves are offered from early-May through earlyOctober, weather permitting. 

Guided by National Park Rangers, these 

1-hour tours are limited to 16 people. 

Plan on spending about 3 hours roundtrip to hike up, tour the caves, and hike 

back to the Visitor Center. For your 

safety and the safety of others, pets and 

wheeled vehicles (baby strollers, etc.) 

are NOT allowed on the cave trail.

Bring plenty of drinking water, as no 

water is available along the trail or at 

the caves. Come prepared with hiking 

shoes and a light jacket (cave temperatures average 45oF [7oC]). Cameras and 

fl ashlights are welcome.

Inside the Caves

The three highly decorated limestone 

caves are known for their abundance of 

helictites—spiral, worm-like formations. 

Along the 1/3 mile tour deep inside the 

mountain, you’ll discover many other 

interesting, colorful features. Anthodite 

crystals, stalagmites, stalactites, cave 

drapery, and fl owstone are among other 

formations that adorn the rooms and 

winding passages.

Cave Access Trail

To reach the Timpanogos Cave System, 

which is located 6,730 feet above sea 

level, visitors must hike the 1.5 mile (2.4 

kilometer) hard-surfaced cave trail. The 

trail, which rises 1,092 feet (325 meters), 

is considered a strenuous hike. Anyone 

with heart trouble or breathing problems should not attempt the hike. Those 

under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Introduction to Caving Tour

The Introduction to Caving Tour takes 

visitors back to Hansen Cave Lake. This 

off -trail tour is a strenuous hike that 

requires bending and crawling through 

tight passages. Group size is limited to 

5. Participants must be at least 14 years 

old. Call (801) 756-5238 for details. 

Junior Ranger Program 

and Patio Talks

Children who visit the caves can earn 

a Junior Ranger certifi cate and badge 

at the Visitor Center. Patio talks are on 

Saturdays and holidays, Memorial Day 

through Labor Day at the Visitor Center. 

These free ranger programs are for kids 

of all ages!

Cascade Springs Walks

Meet a ranger for a free guided walk 

June-July 2012 at the gazebo in the 

lower parking lot at Cascade Springs. 

Call (801) 756-5238 or visit www.nps.

gov/tica and click calendar of events 

for specifi c days and times.

Evening Programs

Join a park ranger every Friday and 

Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. at the Visitor 

Center for free evening programs. These 

informative programs are educational 

and entertaining. Activities range from 

the study of local wildlife to canyon 

history and campfi re singing. Call 

(801) 756-5238 or visit www.nps.gov/

tica and click calendar of events for 

details.

Visitor Center Hours

The Visitor Center is open from 7:00 

a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily during the cave 

tour season (May through Labor Day). 

Hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

after Labor Day until the visitor center 

closes for the winter.

Picnic Area and Nature Trail 

The Swinging Bridge Picnic Area is 1/4 

mile west of the Visitor Center. A selfguided 1/4 mile Canyon Nature Trail will 

lead you there. Cooking grills, drinking 

water, and fi re rings are available at the 

picnic sites. Parking is also available. A 

small, shaded, streamside picnic area 

is also located directly across the road 

from the Visitor Center.

Parking

Because of the limited parking and 

congestion in the canyon on Saturdays, 

we strongly encourage visitors to see the 

caves other days of the week for a more 

enjoyable visit. Please do not park along 

the narrow highway 92 roadway.

Gift Shop and Snack Bar

Food, snacks, beverages, fi lm, clothing, souvenirs, a shaded eating area and 

parking are located next to the visitor 

center. For more information call (801) 

756-5702.

Planning A Visit?

For more information on any of the 

activities off ered at Timpanogos Cave 

National Monument, please call the 

Visitor Center at (801) 756-5238, visit 

www.nps.gov/tica and click calendar 

of events or follow us on Twitter or 

Facebook. Check our Twitter feed for 

the latest updates on ticket availability, 

parking and emergency closures. 

Tickets are sold at the Visitor Center 

and may be purchased up to 30 days 

in advance with a credit card by calling 

(801) 756-5238.

Ages 16 & older . . . . . . . . . .$7.00

Ages 6 to 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . .$5.00

Ages 3 to 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$3.00

Ages 2 & under . . . . . . . . . . .FREE

Senior/Access Pass . . . . . . . .50%

Introduction to Caving Tour .$15.00

 Cave Tour Pricing

Curly helictites are found throughout 

Timpangos Cave. NPS

NPS

NPS

Junior Ranger program Take a cave tour.

Timpanogos Cave tours are now 100% reservable, up to 30 days in advance. Every 

spot on every tour can be pre-purchased, making planning your visit easy. Visitors who 

purchase their tickets in advance will also have the added advantage of the monument 

being able to contact them if conditions change and their tour needs to be rescheduled. Interested? Please call 801-756-5238 to purchase advance tickets and have a 

credit card handy.

Didn’t get your tickets in advance? All available tickets for the day will go on sale at 

the Visitor Center fi fteen minutes after opening. Check our Twitter feed for the latest 

updates on ticket availability, parking and emergency closures. Rangers are happy to 

review availability for you, and assist you with purchasing tickets for another date if 

necessary.

Do your part to protect bats from a 

deadly fungus. Though it has not 

been found in this region, we want 

to keep it this way. All visitors taking 

a cave tour this season will be asked, 

“Are you wearing or carrying articles 

taken into ANY cave or mine at ANY 

time?” If a visitor has, they will be 

asked to see a ranger to discuss decontamination options. If not, enjoy 

your cave tour!

 Like us today! www.facebook.com/timpanogoscavenps

 Follow us today! @TimpCaveNPS

We’ve Gone Social! Like/Follow Timpanogos Cave 

A local group is forming a non-profi t “Friends of Timpanogos Cave” organization. 

Friends help parks in many ways, including organizing special events, sponsoring 

research, volunteering, and fund raising. In return, they often enjoy member only 

activities and a special connection to these amazing places. We invite you to join 

at www.friendsoftimpanogoscave.org!

Friends Group Start-up 

New! All Cave Tours are 100% Reservable

 

 

 White-nose Syndrome 

Screening Procedures
6 2012

Timpanogos Refl ections Timpanogos Refl ections

Lend A Hand

The Pleasant Grove Ranger District 

and Timpanogos Cave National 

Monument have hundreds of volunteers who come out and make a diff erence each year. Volunteers help reduce 

the cost of managing public lands, 

improve visitor facilities, and protect 

natural resources and recreational opportunities.

In 2011, volunteers helped accomplish 

a variety of projects including: fi nishing the Tibble Fork Trail #041 reroute, 

rerouting a section of the South Fork 

of Little Deer Creek Trail #252, installing a fl ag pole at the information 

station at the mouth of American Fork 

Canyon, removing sand bags from 

fl ooded picnic sites, installing fences to 

block illegal motorized routes, litter removal, clearing down trees off of trails, 

general maintenance of trails, support 

and education of Mount Timpanogos 

hikers and repairing fences. 

Lone Peak 4-Wheelers

The Lone Peak 4-Wheelers Club 

adopted the Mary Ellen Gulch Road 

#111 in the North Fork of American Fork Canyon in 2009. They have 

helped out annually with litter removal, signing, and inventorying their 

adopted road, as well as other roads 

in the North Fork of American Fork 

Canyon. In 2011 alone they contributed over 250 hours of volunteer work 

in the Canyon.

Timpanogos Cave Trail Patrol

Two groups of volunteers help ensure the trail to the caves is safe every 

day. First thing, early morning hikers 

sweep the trail, alert the monument 

to any issues such as trail damage or 

rockfall and they get a nice workout! 

Throughout the day, trail patrol volunteers answer visitor questions, off er 

encouragement, remind visitors of 

safe practices and assist rangers during 

emergencies. Some of our trail patrol 

volunteers are known to hike the cave 

trail several times in one day. 

Trail patrol volunteers list fi tness and 

helping people as perks of the job and 

receive training every year. More trail 

patrol volunteers are always welcome! 

Call Timpanogos Cave and ask to 

speak with the volunteer coordinator 

to set up a training day. 

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

•June 2nd, National Trails Day

•September 15 (trail project) and September 29 (North Fork 4x4 project) 

volunteer projects for National Public 

Lands Day

If you see any of our great volunteers 

out working, please take the opportunity to pass on a big thanks. Thank 

you to all 2011 volunteers, your time 

and eff orts are greatly appreciated.

For more information about how to 

get involved please call:

Pleasant Grove Ranger District

801-785-3563

Timpanogos Cave National Monument 801-756-5239

USFS

NPS

Cave Research Update

Middle Cave Lake Restoration

In 2011, Timpanogos Cave National 

Monument began a three year project 

to restore Middle Cave Lake. The 

majority of this 5 x 60 ft lake runs 

beneath a bridge that is crossed by 

approximately 70,000 visitors annually. 

Decades of accumulated debris has 

fi lled the lake fl oor with several feet 

of “muck”. Debris included not only 

mud and lint, but blasting rubble from 

tour development in the 1930s.

Rangers and volunteers worked to 

pull buckets of the debris out of the 

lake. They sifted through buckets to 

fi nd lots of surprises that visitors had 

left behind including: fl ashlights, baby 

bottles, and even a pocket watch! With 

each successive year of the project, 

visitors will see the lake water getting 

clearer, the color of the formations becoming more vibrant, and a healthier 

cave overall!

Tectonic Monitoring

While following a tour at Timpanogos 

Caves, it is diffi cult to miss the prominent faults that helped create the caves. 

This summer, a seismograph will be installed in the visitor center and crackmeters on the cave faults, this will help 

rangers not only see when the nearby 

Wasatch Fault moves but how and if 

it has any infl uence on the cave faults. 

Stop by later in the summer and see if 

you can make the seismograph move!

Ground Water Study

TICA is undertaking a project with 

the support of Ball State University 

in Muncie, Indiana to understand the 

scope and characteristics of the watershed that feeds into the many cave 

pools. Anytime you visit the caves, water is apparent everywhere- in pools, 

pouring off stalactites and even dripping on your head. And while it is easy 

to guess that the water comes from the 

surface, rangers want to know exactly 

where it is coming from. 

In April 2012, researchers will be placing dyes in various locations on Mt 

Timpanogos above the caves, then wait 

and watch for when those dyes reach 

the caves. This will not only tell us 

where it is coming from but how long 

it takes to seep through the mountain 

to reach the caves. This will also be 

extremely helpful for cave managers 

should pollutants be identifi ed in the 

cave or are accidentally spilled in the 

cave watershed, or even if a wildfi re 

should occur changing the forest ecosystem above the caves. 

Cave tour fees may be waived for 

schools or other bona fi de educational 

institutions. For more information and 

the application for educational waivers 

check out our website fi lled with helpful tips for planning your visit at 

www.nps.gov/tica or call the 

Timpanogos Cave Visitor Center at 

(801) 756-5238.

Find Options for Your Class

Click the for teachers link on the left 

side of the homepage.

The right side menu links to the 

educational fee waiver application, 

Timpanogos Cave classroom packet, 

webranger activities, and more.

• Apply for fee waivers early; they 

are extremely popular.

• The classroom packet can supplement lessons all year long. Consider using these activities to prepare 

your class prior to visiting.

• Webranger on-line activities are 

fun games about the National Park 

System and those that complete 

required activities earn a patch! 

Visit www.nps.gov/webrangers

• Ranger visits to your classroom 

may also be arranged. Please call 

(801) 756-5239 to fi nd out more.

Teacher’s Tips

Volunteers made the South Fork Little Deer 

Creek Trail reroute possible.

Trail patrol volunteers offer help along the 

cave trail and throughout the monument.

Stop In for a 

Fill Up! 

Water bottles have grown in popularity in the United States for more than 

a decade. Americans are increasingly 

relying on them due to their convenience and portability. However, due 

to concerns over the safety, environmental impact, and cost of disposable 

plastic water bottles, more and more 

Americans and national parks are 

choosing other options such as multiuse water bottles.

Ever wonder where most of those 

plastic water bottles go that we knock 

back from every day? Into landfi lls, 

where they live on and on and on and 

on. Exempt from many state deposit 

laws, and most often used away from 

home many bottles are not recycled.

Not only do they accumulate and 

stress landfi lls, they are made from 

petroleum products and their manufacturing process uses oil, a nonrenewable energy source, and increases 

CO2 emissions. So kick the plastic 

water bottle habit. Timpanogos Cave 

National Monument installed a water 

bottle fi lling station in front of the visitor center in 2011.

We invite all canyon users to stop in for 

a cool drink of mountain spring water. 

That way you can save resources by 

drinking from refi llable container 

when you are on the go.

Swinging Bridge Canyon spring water supplies the water bottle fi lling station. NPS

Remember to fi ll up at the Timpanogos 

Cave water bottle fi lling station and keep 

plastic water bottles out of landfi lls. NPS

Top: Cleaning debris from Middle Cave Lake.

Right: Close up of cave “muck.”

Top: Dye is 

dropped on Mt. 

Timpanogos by 

helicopter. NPS

Right: Preparing 

to drop dye is 

messy work. NPS

NPS
7

American Fork Canyon

UTAH’S PUBLIC LANDS

Answers:

 2=B, 3=A, 4=C, 5=D. 1=E, Museum Match:

Never explore alone-stay with a buddy. Play it Safe Outdoors: 

Canyon Kids Become a Junior Ranger

NPS

UTDNR

Fun Fact:

Townsend’s 

Big-eared bats 

(Corynorhinus 

townsendii)

are known for 

their large, pink 

ears. To keep 

them warm, they 

role up their ears, 

and tuck them 

under each wing.

Funny Bone

Q: What runs but never walks? A: A river.

Q: How do trees access their email? A: They log in.

Timpanogos Cave Turns 90!

Can you imagine celebrating that many birthdays? This calls for a 

big party! Test your cave history knowledge below by matching the 

museum collection items to the descriptions.

Help Bat Get to the Cave

y

,

.

Home!

Remember...

Play it Safe Outdoors

Hint: Discoveries are more fun when shared with others!

Smokey

Only you can prevent wildfi res!

At Timpanogos Cave

Earn your choice of a badge or 

patch while you learn! Stop by the 

Timpanogos Cave National Monument Visitor Center and pick up 

your free Junior Ranger booklet. 

Take a cave tour, watch the monument video, ask a ranger for help 

and work with your friends, brothers, sisters, parents or guardians to 

complete the booklet. Bring your 

completed booklet back to the 

Visitor Center for a ranger to review and sign. Take the Junior 

Ranger pledge and receive 

your badge or patch.

Junior Ranger Programs

Every Saturday and holiday 

from Memorial Day through 

Labor Day, free Junior Ranger 

programs are held from 10:00 

to 11:00 a.m. on the Visitor 

Center deck.

At Wasatch Mountain 

State Park 

Earn your badge and 

certifi cate while you learn! 

Stop by the Wasatch 

Mountain State Park visitor center, 

call them at (435) 654-1791 or visit 

www.stateparks.utah.gov/parks/

wasatch for details.

Junior Ranger Programs

From Memorial Day through Labor 

Day, Junior Ranger programs are 

offered. Check with the park for 

more information.

1) Discovered Hansen Cave in 1887

2) Once sold at the 

cave entrance

3) 14-year old boys 

who discovered 

Timpanogos Cave

4) This cost 25 

cents per child 

in 1922

5) Early souvenir 

sticker

A) James W. Gough and Frank Johnson

C) Early cave tour ticket

E) Martin Hansen

D) Sticker

B) Soda bottle

• Always be careful with fi re.

• Never play with matches or lighters.

• Always watch your campfi re.

• Make sure your campfi re is completely out before 

leaving it.

Thank You,

fire

NPS NPS

NPS

NPS

NPS
8 2012

Timpanogos Refl ections Timpanogos Refl ections