What? There was a train in American Fork Canyon? 

Today’s visitors know the scenery is grand but are often astonished to learn the canyon was once served by railroad.

From 1872-1878 the American Fork Railroad Company, 

owned by the Aspinwall Steamship Company, operated a 

narrow-gauge (3 feet from rail to rail) line between American Fork City and Tibble Fork Reservoir.

In those days the need for a railroad in such a remote 

area was obvious. Prior to 

1872, American Fork Canyon’s vast mineral wealth 

was moved by wagon teams 

45 miles to Sandy, Utah, 

where it was loaded onto 

the Utah Southern Railroad. The Miller Mine’s 

productivity attracted 

investors from New York 

and England who had the 

money necessary to build 

a narrow-gauge railroad, 

connecting the mines to 

other nearby railways so ore 

could be moved quickly and 

efficiently.

In the spring of 1872 

Colonel E. F. Wilkes of Salt Lake City advertised for 500 

men to begin grade work for the railroad, offering them 

$2.75 per day. By September, the roadbed work had finished and track had been laid six miles from American 

Fork City to the mouth of American Fork Canyon, and 

another three miles into the canyon itself.

It was not a simple task. The canyon was steep and 

narrow, and sheer, grey cliffs slowed progress. The American Fork River was unpredictable and meandered often, 

requiring sixteen bridges in the first five miles! With the 

rate of ascent often approaching 200 vertical feet per mile 

the railroad was hailed as “the steepest grade in the United 

States.”

The railroad also provided a more stable economic 

base for the surrounding communities. Both railroad 

construction and subsequent increases in mining efficiency 

brought jobs to the area. The train also brought milled 

lumber out of American Fork Canyon which was used to 

supply the increasing demand 

for homes in the valley.

The engine and several 

flatbed cars faced a major hurdle after arriving in Salt Lake 

City in July, 1872. The Utah 

Southern Railroad had only 

extended track a few miles 

south of Sandy, Utah leaving a 

30 mile gap between there and 

American Fork City. Engineers 

decided on an ingenious but 

labor-intensive solution. Laborers would lay down three 

lengths of track and move the 

train to the southern edge. 

After the train had stopped, 

the two lengths of track now 

behind it would be pulled up and laid down again in front 

of the engine, allowing it to creep forward at a snail’s pace. 

This process was repeated until the engine reached the 

existing rail in American Fork City, seven days later!

In August of 1872, the people of American Fork City 

gathered in excitement to watch as “The American Fork 

#1” was placed on its narrow-gauge tracks. In the presence 

of an astonished crowd, some of whom had never seen an 

engine before, the train successfully pulled five cars up the 

canyon completing it inaugural run.

Timpanogos

Reflections

Visitor Guide - 2006 U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

Timpanogos Cave National Monument

UTAH’S PUBLIC LANDS

INSIDE:

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

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

Making the Most of Your 

Visit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Bats Aren’t Creepy. . . . . . . . 3

Preserving the Canyon’s 

Hydro Electric Past. . . . . . . . 4

Watchable Wildlife. . . . . . . 4

Visiting Timpanogos Cave. . 5

Nature’s Calendar. . . . . . . . . 6

Ranger Programs. . . . . . . . . 7

Kid’s Korner. . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

American Fork Canyon 

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

Emergency: 911

Sheriff: (801) 375-3601

Continued on page 3

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

Uinta National Forest

Things to Do 3 Wildlife Viewing 4 Go Underground 5

All Aboard the Iron Horse

The Grandest of All Railroad Scenes

“The rival of the Yosemite!” wrote a visitor from London, England 

after traveling the American Fork Railroad in American Fork 

Canyon. The Pacific Tourist, a popular guidebook of the time, 

hailed the ride as “the grandest of all railroad scenes.”

UserFee

Wherever you see these symbols, 

you’ll know your recreation fees 

are hard at work helping to fund 

those projects. Thank you for helping to make a difference in your 

parks and forests.

Thank You!

IT’S UP TO YOU

National Parks and Forests have been described as the crown jewels of the United 

States. While enjoying the beauty of 

American Fork Canyon, please remember 

that few other nations have parks and 

forests that can compare to those of the 

United States. They are something to be 

proud of. They are something to preserve.

The protection 

of American 

Fork Canyon is 

ultimately in 

the hands of the 

people who visit 

it. Your cooperation with park 

and forest rules 

is one way to help ensure American Fork 

Canyon’s beauty.

Please treat your canyon with care so that 

future generations may enjoy these lands.

Locomotive in American Fork Canyon ca 1870s
2 2006

Timpanogos Reflections

Welcome!

For over a century, our 

National Forests and Parks 

have been places where 

people can take a break from 

the rigors and routine of 

daily life, places to recreate 

and share, and places that 

help us mold and express 

our individuality. Here you can explore miles of mountain trails, 

pass through a living cave system, view wildlife among spectacular 

mountain vistas, and enjoy your favorite recreational pursuits.

There are as many ways to enjoy American Fork Canyon, as there 

are people who visit. The diversity of recreational opportunities 

here offers something for almost everyone. While many people 

enjoy American Fork Canyon from the comfort of paved scenic 

drives, others prefer the challenge and remoteness of the canyon’s 

many unimproved roads and trails.

While vigorous activities can he fun and stimulating, some of 

the finest things American Fork Canyon has to offer can only be 

enjoyed by slowing down. Take some time, walk quietly, look, 

listen, and the landscape will open up to you. The mountains have 

their own mystical voice, the forests and meadows a potpourri of 

fragrance, the air is cool and clear, and the scene is a backdrop for 

lifetime memories. 

We hope that as you walk the trails or drive the mountain 

roads you will reflect on the importance of these areas and the 

responsibility we all share to care for them. All that is here is yours 

to enjoy. It is also part of a great national legacy to be proudly 

passed to future generations. Take a moment to celebrate this 

magnificent canyon, and embrace the beauty and wonder of our 

heritage.

Sincerely,

Pam Gardner Kit T. Mullen

District Ranger, Pleasant Grove Superintendent

Uinta NF Timpanogos Cave NM

Pam Gardner

WEB SITES

National Park Service

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

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

NPS Campground Reservations.....http://reservations.nps.gov

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

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

USDA Forest Service

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

USDA FS Campground Reservation ..... www.reserveusa.com

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

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

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

Other

Public Lands Information......................www.publiclands.org

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

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

Utah Division of Wildlife Resource ..... 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........................................(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

Nearby National Parks

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

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

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

Glen Canyon .................................................(928) 608-6404

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 ..................................(801) 378-4333

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

NPS Campground Reservations......................(800) 365-2267

Road Conditions............................................(800) 492-2400

Utah County Travel........................................(801) 370-8390

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

Weather........................................................(800) 882-1432

Recreation Fee

Allows recreating and use of facilities 

in American Fork Canyon and the 

Alpine Loop.

Three-day Pass $3.00

Fourteen-day Pass $10.00

Annual Pass $25.00

Golden Eagle Passport 

$65.00

Allows entrance to most 

national forest and park areas 

and some other federal fee 

areas for 12 months from date 

of purchase; non-transferable.

National Parks Pass $50.00

Allows entrance to most 

national parks for 12 months 

from date of purchase; nontransferable. 

Golden Eagle Hologram $15.00

Affix the Golden Eagle Hologram to 

your National Parks Pass to cover entrance fees at national parks, U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, 

and Bureau of Land Management sites. This upgrade 

is valid until expiration of the National Parks Pass to 

which it is affixed.

Golden Age Passport $10.00 

(one-time fee)

Especially for seniors, the Golden Age Passport allows lifetime 

entrance to most national forest 

and park areas to American citizens 62 years of age and older; 

non-transferable.

Golden Access Passport FREE

The Golden Access Passport allows lifetime entrance to most 

national forest and park service 

areas to American citizens who 

provide proof of permanent disability; non-transferable.

Canyon Passes

Participation in the Recreation Fee Program allows fees collected at the fee stations to remain in the American 

Fork Canyon to improve visitor services, maintain recreation facilities, enhance wildlife habitat, and protect 

natural and cultural resources. The Uinta National Forest and Timpanogos Cave National Monument appreciate your support of ongoing efforts to improve American Fork Canyon. The following passes are available at 

the fee stations and Visitor Center. Cave tour fees are additional.

Kit T. Mullen

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, 

sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact UDSA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 

(202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Timpanogos Reflections is published yearly by 

the National Park Service, Timpanogos Cave 

National Monument, and the Uinta National 

Forest Service, to enhance visitor experience.

Editor-in-Chief:

Michael Gosse, Chief Ranger

Editorial Assistants:

Norman E. Young, NPS Volunteer

Lee Werst, Chief of Interpretation

Camille Price, NPS Ranger

Anita Pulham, NPS Ranger

Layout & Design:

Brandon K. Kowallis, NPS Ranger

Norman E. Young, NPS Volunteer

Jon Jasper, NPS Ranger

Writers:

Michael Gosse, NPS Chief Ranger

Camille Price, NPS Ranger

Anita Pulham, NPS Ranger

Debbie Stringham, NPS Ranger

Jen Pulham, NPS Ranger

Norman E. Young, NPS Volunteer

Feature Story:

Anita Pulham, NPS Ranger

Photographers:

Jon Jasper, NPS Ranger

Brandon Kowallis, NPS Ranger

Annmarie Mikelski, NPS Ranger 

Illustrators:

Elizabeth Kovacs, NPS Ranger

Debbie Stringham, NPS Ranger

Cartographer:

Faye Jenkins, Forest Service

Please address comments to:

Editor, Timpanogos Reflections

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.

For your convenience, buy your National Parks 

Pass online! Gain access to a wealth of information about your National Parks and 

Monuments all from your own PC. 

To learn more, log on to www.

nationalparks.org today!

Canyon Passes

The natural wonders of mountains, forests, 

lakes, and streams create an incomparable 

outdoor experience in American Fork Canyon. 

Prepare yourself well to enjoy your visit safely.

Safely Enjoy

American Fork Canyon

Rockfall

There is little soil cover on the precipitous 

slopes of American Fork Canyon, and 

bare rock ledges are common. The highly 

fractured, exposed limestones are subject 

to extreme weathering conditions, thereby, 

increasing the possibility of rockfall 

throughout the canyon. Be aware of the 

increased potential of rockfall on windy or 

rainy days, or during spring snow melt off. 

Kicking loose rocks off the trail may cause 

injuries to people below you. 

Slips/Falls

Slip/fall hazards are present on many trails 

within the canyon, especially during cooler 

weather when the trails are moist.

Watch your children. Your hand and voice 

may be too far away once your child leaves 

your side.

Use extra care near waterfalls, ridges, overlooks and wildlife.

Floods/Avalanches

Flash floods and snow avalanches occasionally 

occur in American Fork Canyon.

Avalanche release zones may be well above you 

and not within your sight.
3

American Fork Canyon

UTAH’S PUBLIC LANDS

Make the Most of Your Canyon Visit

Iron Horse (cont.)

A Few Hours

Take in an Evening Program or Junior Ranger 

Program. Join a Ranger at the Timpanogos Cave 

Visitor Center on Friday, Saturday, and Monday 

evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. for presentations 

about the park and surrounding area. Topics 

change daily.

Pack a Lunch. Picnic areas with tables, grills, 

water, and restrooms are available at Swinging 

Bridge Picnic Site inside Timpanogos Cave 

National Monument, along Highway 92, and 

Route 114 to Tibble Fork Reservoir.

A Half Day

Drive the Loop. The 26-mile Alpine Loop offers terrific 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 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 1,065 feet 

to the cave entrance.

Ride a Bike or a Horse. Enjoy the multiple use 

trails available on the Uinta 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 200 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 

Glove Distrist Office for recommended hikes 

and look at 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.

Often just the mention of bats causes people 

to wrinkle their noses or shiver. A conspicuous 

presence in decorations and costumes every year 

around Halloween, they add to the creation of a 

scary and creepy mood. There is an air of mystery 

around the animals because they are nocturnal 

and not often seen by humans.

Tales of vampire bats and the fear of contracting 

rabies foster a dislike for the creatures. In reality, only one species found in parts of Mexico, 

Central, and South America feeds on the blood 

of large birds and mammals, and seldomly prey 

on humans. And fewer than 1 in 1,000 bats carry 

rabies. Bats are actually gentle and passive, biting 

only if they feel threatened or when sick. They are 

very clean animals, spending much of each day 

grooming. 

Most bats are insectivorous, comsuming more 

than their body weight in mosquitoes, moths, 

beetles, and grasshoppers in each night! Bats 

reduce the toll that these pests take on farmers’ 

crops each year. You can see why they are so valuable to humans for insect control. 

Bats are expert fliers and have been clocked at 12 

to 20 miles per hour. They have normal vision, but 

rely mostly on sounds emitted from their nose or 

mouth to “see” their environment. Sound waves 

are bounced off prey or other objects to determine 

direction, distance, size, and velocity. The animal’s 

flight path is generally straight, becoming erratic 

when in pursuit of prey. If you see a wobbly, nightflying creature, you can bet it is a bat. They may 

swoop close to you in pursuit of a meal, but they 

will not fly into you or bite you. 

A bat’s wings are made up of long arm bones, with 

extralong finger bones. A thin skin called a membrane stretches between the bones, connecting 

the wing bones to the bat’s legs and body. Using 

these webbed “hands,” bats can alter the shape of 

the long finger bones, allowing them to turn, dive, 

land, or hover. 

Bats congregate or “roost” together in caves, old 

mines, cliff faces, tree hollows, and openings in 

buildings that are inaccessible to humans, such as 

roofs and attics. The female bat usually bears one, 

sometimes two, “pups” each year and tends them 

in special nursery caves. The pups literally “hang 

out” closely together, and are nursed for five or 

six weeks. Survival rate of the young is quite low 

mainly due to accidental falls and collisions in 

flight. If a bat survives to adulthood, life expectancy may be 10 years or more. 

Timpanogos Cave National Monument has 

installed special metal gates across the natural 

openings to the caves. These structures allow bats 

to enter and exit, while also protecting the fragile, 

non-renewable cave resources. 

Bats Aren’t Creepy

Eventually, the rail line extended to Silver Lake 

City, a small town eight miles up American Fork 

Canyon, where Tibble Fork Reservoir now lies. The 

original plan called for tracks to be extended another four miles up the canyon to the Sultana Smelting 

Works at Forest City, but steep grades and interminable switchbacks deterred further construction.

The first engine proved too small to pull many 

cars, and for a time mules were used to pull extra 

ore cars up the canyon. The mules would then be 

loaded onto the cars and brought back down using 

only gravity and skilled brakemen. Eventually, a 

larger engine replaced the small one and productivity increased further.

The mines eventually began to play out and productivity dropped. In an effort to increase revenue, 

the rail company began to advertise sight-seeing 

trips nationwide and abroad. Tourists flocked to 

beautiful American Fork Canyon and rode on flat 

rail cars trimmed neatly with evergreen boughs. A 

Salt Lake City newspaper reported: “An excursion 

over the American Fork Railroad, with Brigham 

Young, D.H. Wells, and sundry others on it, went up 

the canyon about 12 miles.” A London periodical 

noted the “American Fork Railway Company is running daily trains into the headquarters of romantic 

scenery...”

Although tourism was popular in its day, it was 

not enough to pay the mounting bills of the rail 

company and by 1878 the tracks were torn up, the 

iron sold, and the American Fork Railroad ended its 

reign in the canyon. The Salt Lake Tribune noted, 

in a now ironic epitaph: “The scenery in American 

Fork Canyon, for rugged grandeur, is surpassed by 

few spots in the country. However, it is not likely to 

be visited in the future, to any extent by tourists.”

Today, American Fork Canyon receives over 

one million visitors and the number continues to 

increase steadily. As you visit the canyon, try to 

imagine where railroad tracks were laid over one 

hundred years ago, carrying families and sightseers 

into the heart of this “grandest of all scenes.” Railroad tracks at smelter at Tibble Fork ca 1870s 

Bat-friendly gate on Timpanogos Cave

Townsend’s Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii)
4 2006

Timpanogos Reflections

Preserving 100 Years of 

Hydroelectric History

We’ve all had it happen.You hear a sound or see 

a flash and look up from the trail just in time to 

see an animal dive out of sight. Most animals see, 

hear, and smell us. They size us up and decide 

whether to stay or flee long before we see them. 

American Fork Canyon is home to a great diversity of species that can be seen and observed 

throughout the year. Rocky Mountain Bighorn 

Sheep, Mountain Goats, Moose and Mule Deer 

are some of the large mammals found in the 

canyon year-round. 

Becoming a wildlife watcher provides Utah’s 

citizens and visitors alike a new opportunity to 

enjoy and better appreciate one of their greatest 

heritages-the wildlife. American Fork Canyon 

offers many opportunities for observing wildlife. 

Deer browse alongside the Alpine Loop Road, 

songbirds dart through the forests 

of aspen and fir trees; raptors circle 

high overhead. 

The Rocky Mountain Bighorn 

Sheep, Ovis canadensis canadensis, 

is native to rugged mountainous 

areas of western North America. In 

Utah, a great 

deal of effort 

has gone into 

re-establishing 

Rocky Mountain Bighorn 

Sheep, and the 

species can 

now be found 

in a number of 

mountain ranges. The first reintroduction of 

Bighorn Sheep 

on Mount Timpanogos was in 2000, 

when 25 sheep were released. Ten 

additional sheep were released in 

2001 and nine more in 2002. There 

are currently no 

plans to introduce any additional bighorn 

sheep in the 

area, and the 

current population stands at 

55 sheep. Most 

sheep are spotted near the mouth of American 

Fork Canyon.

The mountain goat, Oreamnos americanus, was 

likely native to Utah in the past, but did not occur in the state during recent times until the late 

1960’s, when the species was first re-introduced 

to the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Mountain goats prefer extremely steep and rugged areas above the timberline, and are excellent 

rock climbers. Interestingly, young are able to 

follow their mothers through rocky cliffs shortly 

after birth. Mountain goats are often spotted 

across from the Timpanogos Cave National 

Monument visitor center on the high rocky 

slopes.

The moose, Alces alces, is popular with hunters 

and wildlife watchers alike. In Utah, the species 

can be found in the mountains of the northern 

and northeastern portion of the state. Moose 

prefer forest habitats, especially those locations 

with a mixture of wooded areas and open areas 

near lakes or wetlands. Some moose make short 

migrations between summer and winter habitats. 

Moose usually occur singly or in small groups. 

Moose are active both day and night, but peak 

activity occurs near dawn and dusk.

Watchable Wildlife

Bighorn Sheep

Mountain Goat

Moose

Always Keep a 

Safe Distance 

When Viewing 

Wildlife 

The American Fork Hydroelectric Project No. 2 

went on line in 1907. Built by Utah County Light 

and Power, and know as the Upper American Fork 

Project because an earlier 

power plant was located 

at the mouth of American 

Fork Canyon, it served 

the electrical needs of 

Lehi, American Fork and 

Pleasant Grove. In 1922 

the first lighting system 

for Timpanogos Cave was 

wired directly to the upper 

power plant. The national 

monument and the power 

plant have been close canyon neighbors ever since.

Owned by Utah Power, 

part of PacifiCorp, the 

Upper American Fork 

Project generated about 

one megawatt of power at 

peak, enough energy for 

about 500 households. By 

comparison, Glen Canyon 

Dam can generate 1,356 

megawatts of power.

No special land designations were established in 

the canyon when the Upper American Fork Project 

was constructed. Today the project’s diversion dam 

is in the Uinta National Forest and the pipeline 

carrying water to turn the turbine crosses national forest lands, including a portion of the Lone 

Peak Wilderness and on across Timpanogos Cave 

National Monument to the powerhouse sitting on 

national forest lands. Many changes have occurred 

in American Fork Canyon over the last 100 years. 

Use of the area has shifted from mining, timber 

cutting and grazing to recreation. 

Campgrounds, picnic areas and 

trails have been built in the canyon. Buildings to support national 

monument operations have also 

been built.

After five years of study and discussion that included PacifiCorp 

and the USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, US Fish and 

Wildlife Service, Federal Energy 

Regulatory Commission, Utah 

Division of Wildlife Resources, 

Utah Division of State History, 

Utah Department of Transportation, Trout Unlimited and American Whitewater, an agreement 

was signed in February 2003 to 

decommission the Upper American Fork Hydroelectric Project. 

Beginning in September of 2006, 

PacifiCorp will remove the diversion dam, exposed pipeline, and 

the dam and residence next to the 

powerhouse. Scheduled to be 

completed by the end of 2007, the 

project will include rehabilitation 

of the American Fork River at both dam sites. This 

will improve the river flow and fish habitat, and will 

help the long-term health of the river and the many 

resources that depend on its flow.

After 100 years of providing northern Utah Valley 

and Timpanogos Cave with electricity, the turbines 

of the Upper American Fork Hydroelectric Project will turn no more. But the history will remain. 

PacifiCorp will transfer ownership of the penstock 

and powerhouse to the USDA Forest Service. New 

use for the building will be found. And who knows, 

perhaps it shall give us another century of service 

in our beloved canyon. 

Historic Powerhouse

Penstock’s run to Powerhouse

CCC carrying power cable to 

Timpanogos Cave in 1938
5

American Fork Canyon

UTAH’S PUBLIC LANDS

Whether for a cave tour, an evening 

program, a picnic, or just to hike or walk 

around, Timpanogos Cave National 

Monument is a wonderful place to visit. 

With spectacular canyon vistas, magnificent evergreens, a babbling mountain 

brook, and lots of things to see and do, 

the monument is the perfect place for a 

memorable summertime outing!

Tours of the 3 adjoining caves are offered 

from early-May through early-October, 

weather permitting. 

Guided by National Park Rangers, these 

1-hour tours are limited to 20 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.

We strongly recommend bringing 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 flashlights are welcome.

The three highly decorated limestone 

caves are known for their abundance 

of helictites—spiral, worm-like formations that are rare in most other caves 

throughout the world. Along the 3/4 mile 

tour deep inside the mountain, you’ll 

discover many other interesting, colorful 

features. Anthodite crystals, stalagmites, 

stalagtites, cave drapery, and flowstone 

are among other formations that adorn 

the rooms and winding passages.

To reach the Timpanogos Cave System, 

which is located 6,730 feet above sea 

level, visitors must hike the 1.5-mile (2.4 

km) hard-surfaced cave trail. The trail, 

which rises 1,065 feet (325 m), 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.

The Introduction to Caving Tour takes 

visitors back to Hansen Cave Lake. This 

off-trail tour is a strenuous hike that 

requires bending, crawling, and squeezing through tight passages. Group size 

is limited to 5. Participants must be at 

least 14 years old. For more information 

please call (801) 756-5238.

Children who visit the caves can earn a 

Junior Ranger certificate and badge at 

the Visitor Center.

Impromptu patio talks are often given 

on Saturdays and holidays at the Visitor Center. These ranger-presented 

programs cover a variety of interesting 

topics for kids of all ages!

Join a park ranger every Friday, Saturday, and Monday night at 7:30 p.m. at 

the Visitor Center for some very special 

evening programs. These informative 

programs are educational and entertaining. Activities range from the study of 

local wildlife to campfire singing. (See 

Page 7 of this guide for details.)

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.

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 fire 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.

Food, snacks, beverages, film, clothing, 

and souvenirs, and a shaded eating-area 

and parking are located next to the visitor center. For more information call 

(801) 756-5702.

For more information on any of the 

activities offered at Timpanogos Cave 

National Monument, please call the 

Visitor Center at (801) 756-5238 or visit 

http://www.nps.gov/tica to learn more.

Visiting Timpanogos Cave

National Monument

Anthodite crystals

Teacher’s Corner

Timpanogos Cave National Monument 

welcomes all school groups to 

experience Nature’s classroom. Discover 

geology millions of years old, ancient 

sea life, and a series of caves deep 

underground. Cave tour fees may 

be waived for schools or other bona 

fide educational institutions. For more 

information and the application for 

educational waivers check out our 

website filled with helpful tips for 

planning your visit at www.nps.gov/tica

or call the Timpanogos Cave Visitor 

Center at (801) 756-5238.

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

Golden Age/Access Pass. . . . $3.50

Introduction to Caving Tour. $15.00

Cave Tour Pricing

Lend a Helping Hand

Would you like to get to know your 

forest and park better? Consider 

becoming a Volunteer In Parks (VIP)! 

Your skills and enthusiasm are needed 

in a variety of areas from greeting visitors, maintaining facilities and trails, to 

monitoring resources. VIPs can work 

part time or full time, year round, or 

for a few weeks. 

Timpanogos Cave National Monument has two special volunteer 

programs for youth and seniors. The 

Behind A Tour Specialist (BATS) program is for youth 16 years of age and 

older and the Volunteer Senior Ranger 

Program is for adults. Please stop at 

the Visitor Center for more information on these two special programs 

and other volunteer opportunities.

Contact the volunteer coordinator at 

Timpanogos Cave National Monument at (801) 756-5239 to find out 

about VIPs, BATS, and More. 

To find out about volunteer opportunities on the Uinta National Forest, 

visit the Uinta’s volunteering website 

at www.fs.fed.us/r4/uinta/volunteering. We’d love to have you join us. NPS volunteer helping visitors

Cave Tours

Inside the Caves

Introduction to 

Caving Tour

Junior Ranger Program 

and Patio Talks

Cave Access Trail

Visitor Center Hours

Picnic Area and 

Nature Trail

Gift Shop and Snack Bar

Planning a Visit?

Evening Programs

Monument Bookstore

You’ll find 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 nonprofit 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.
6 2006

Timpanogos Reflections

Nature’s Calendar

American Fork Canyon has beautiful flora and fauna that reflect the seasonal changes.

Every month of the year, plants and animals are busy doing something. Unlike people, who are here 

to relax, plants and animals can rarely afford leisure time. Look closely, and you will see a world of 

activity taking place inches from where you’re standing.

January Cold temperatures are 

hard for many animals to 

be outside, but White Fir

trees can endure temperatures down to -40 degrees F. Although 

the surface may be cold, many animals, such as Deer Mice and 

Montane Vole, are still running around in tunnels beneath the 

snow. 

February Great Horned 

Owls can occasionally be heard 

at night during the winter. They are keeping their eyes sharp for 

small rodents that might emerge from beneath the snow. Ringtail Cats also prowl at night in search of berries or small rodents 

for dinner.

March Watch for Robins and other 

signs of spring. Snow is melting and many trees are beginning to bud. Rocky Mountain Goats are now easily seen climbing canyon cliffs as the snow melts away.

April Spring is often the time for animals 

to deliver their young. As the month 

ends you may begin to see raccoons, 

coyotes, and other animals emerging from their dens with their 

new babies.

May 

Each day the green foliage of the canyon is creeping higher and higher up the 

mountainside, and along side the patches 

of remaining snow the Mountain Goats are grazing with their 

newborn kids. In the lower canyon, look for the snowy blossoms 

of the Chokecherry Tree and the white blossoms of the Western 

Serviceberry Tree. Flitting from fir tree to fir tree the Stellar’s Jay

is probably heard before it is seen! Its call is loud and raucous. 

June It’s often mistaken for Indian paintbrush, 

but that is actually Firecracker Penstemon blooming along the gravelly roadside. Birds have young in their nest, with most chicks leaving by 

the end of the month. Townsend’s Chipmunks are busy and their 

familiar “chip-chip” sound can be heard. It’s also fawning time. 

Mule Deer give birth in May and June, and the spotted fawns 

stay hidden in the tall grass for several weeks before venturing 

out with their mothers. Do not disturb!

July The meadows are covered with blooming 

purple-blue Lupine and white Jacob’s Ladder. Watch and listen for hummingbird activity. The Broad-tailed Hummer is the most common for this 

region. Elk and Bighorn Sheep will be grazing in the high alpine 

meadows.

August Snakes may be encountered 

when least expected; they 

are often seen in dry, warm, 

and sunny spots. Gopher Snakes are harmless; however, often confused with the Great Basin Rattlesnakes! The groves of 

Quaking Aspen trees along the Alpine Loop are growing from 

soil acccumulated by decaying trees from year’s past. Birds preferring to live here are the woodpecker and flycatcher. Could a 

bobcat or mountain lion possibly be watching you from its perch 

on a cliff?

September Moose may 

be spotted in their 

magnificence in meadows and streamside areas. Careful not to 

get too close; they are unpredictable! Mule Deer are shedding 

their summer coats. As leaves begin to color, remember that 

the red is seen primarily in the Big-tooth Maple and Gambel’s 

Oak leaves, while the bright yellow is seen in the Aspen, Cottonwood, and Box-elder Maple leaves. Red-tailed Hawks and Turkey 

Vultures may be spotted overhead, taking advantage of air currents. 

October While the deciduous 

trees shed their leaves, 

the lovely conifers remain evergreen: the White Fir, the Douglas Fir, the Limber Pine, 

and the Blue Spruce (Utah’s state tree). It is mating season for 

deer. Bucks may wrestle each other for territory, clashing antlers 

until one gives up and leaves the area. Bucks are very unpredictable at this time, so keep your distance. When food is abundant, 

Black Bears will eat up to 45 lbs. and put on 5 lbs. per day in 

preparation for winter. 

November N o r t h 

A m e r i c a n 

Elk mate in 

late fall which often leads to stags challenging opponents. Red 

Foxes are hunting gaining weight in preparation for winter; foxes being opportunistic eaters will comb the canyon looking for 

rodents, worms, insects, and even fruit. Without its leaves, the 

red branches of the Red-osier Dogwood are easily spotted on the 

banks of the American Fork River. 

December Many animals 

are changing the color 

of their fur for winter camouflage. Snowshoe hare and Longtail weasel now have beautiful white fur coats for hiding in the 

snow. Many animals hibernate throughout the winter such as 

Black Bears and Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel.

Summer’s Hummingbird

Spring Lupine

Fall-colored Aspen

Winter’s fresh snow
7

American Fork Canyon

UTAH’S PUBLIC LANDS

Q: What do skunks do when they get angry?

A: They raise a stink.

Q: When do squirrels chase people?

A: When they think they’re nuts!

Timpanogos Cave National Monument and the Uinta National Forest offer a variety of Ranger guided 

activities for everyone from Memorial 

Day to Labor Day. The following programs may be offered throughout the 

summer. All programs are subject to 

change; please call the Visitor Center 

at (801) 756-5238 for current information. 

Junior Rangers:

Saturday, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the visitor 

center. 

Make new friends while learning 

about the special wonders of American Fork Canyon. If you’re between 

the ages of 4 and 12, ask how you can 

become a Timpanogos Cave Junior 

Ranger. 

Evening Programs:

Fridays, Saturdays, & Mondays

7:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Programs presented either at 

Timpanogos Cave National Monument Visitor Center or at Swinging 

Bridge Picnic Area (located 1/4 mile 

west of the Visitor Center).

Birds of Prey

Visitor Center

Learn about the birds of prey that can 

be found throughout American Fork 

Canyon. Live birds may be in attendance.

Nature’s Music in the Canyon

Visitor Center

Enjoy an evening of sights and sounds 

while viewing a slide show of scenic 

American Fork Canyon and surrounding areas. Live acoustic guitar 

accompaniment provided.

Bats! Flying Creatures of the 

Night

Visitor Center

Afraid of bats? Or do you love those 

furry little flying creatures? Either way 

you’ll have fun as you discover the 

truth behind bat myths and folklore.

Reflections: A History of Mining in American Fork Canyon

Visitor Center

Learn about the colorful history of 

mining in the canyon through slides 

and stories. Hear tales of fortunes 

gained and lost in days gone by.

National Parks: One of

America’s Best Ideas

Visitor Center

The National Park Service preserves 

some of the country’s most impressive treasures. Learn the history of 

the National Park Service and what it 

means to Americans and the world.

The Charm of Sssnakes

Visitor Center

Get up close and personal with live 

snakes as a National Park Service 

Ranger introduces you to snakes 

found right here in American Fork 

Canyon.

Singing in the Canyon: Songs 

of the Summer

Swinging Bridge Picnic Area

In the good ol’ summertime families 

gather around the campfire and sing 

nostalgic ballads and rousing rounds. 

Rangers will nourish you with songs 

and s’mores.

Legends of the Giants

Visitor Center

Imagine Mount Timpanogos shrouded in mist, silently waiting to reveal 

its hidden mysteries. Join a National 

Park Service Ranger as you are led 

into the past through slides, legends, 

and local folklore.

Let’s Make Tracks

Visitor Center

Join a National Park Service Ranger 

and discover how to “read” the clues 

that animals leave behind. Have fun 

making your own animal tracks as 

you learn how to look for these and 

other animal signs.

One Whoppin’ Big Fish Story

Visitor Center

Everything you wanted to know 

about fishing but were afraid to ask. 

Join a National Park Service Ranger 

for a discussion on types of game fish 

in Utah and where they are found, 

how to tie a basic outfit, and basic 

fishing practices.

Ranger Programs

S B C A V E D E R L

Q U N G D S K L I A

U B N F G E S L B K

I K J S C R W B Q E

R R V T H O C L K J

R I F D I I A D C V

E V M L K J N E R T

L E A F Y G Y E H R

I R O C K O O R Q E

C H I P M U N K F E

Junior Ranger Certificate presentation
8 2006

Timpanogos Reflections

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Original data was compiled from multiple source data

and may not meet the U.S. National Mapping Accuracy

Standard of the Office of Management and Budget.

For specific data source dates and/or additional

digital information contact the Forest Supervisor,

Uinta National Forest, Provo. Utah. This map has no

warranties to its contents or accuracy.

Ownership

National Park Service

Private

Utah State Wildlife Management Area

Wilderness

Wasatch Mountain State Park

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