Stewart Falls Hike via Aspen Grove, Provo Utah

Welcome to hike #4 on my Utah Waterfall tour!  

Stewart Falls Hike

via Aspen Grove (Timpanogos Trailhead)

This is a beautiful trail through an Aspen forest that ends with a three tier, 200 ‘ waterfall.  This is a very popular trail and the parking lot fills up quick.  Get there early for a spot in the parking lot and remember, this is a really popular trail, if you are looking for solitude you will not find it here ;)  There are two ways to access Stewart Falls:  The shorter route- from a chairlift on Sundance resort (for a fee) Ray's Lift to Ray's Summit, or the Aspen Grove trailhead. The trail itself is absolutely gorgeous as it winds through the woods, with stunning views of Sundance and the Uintas. 

Trailhead: (Aspen Grove route)- Mt Timpanogos Trailhead- Stewart Cascades Trail (by the bathroom).  To get to the trailhead, travel a few miles past Sundance Resort and the BYU facility. You will arrive at the Pay Station at Aspen Grove.  The trailhead is in the parking lot that is the first left past the fee station. 

Fee:  6$ per car for 3 days.  However, if you have a National Parks Pass, this works here (Uintas National Forest)!  You will be given a rearview mirror hanger for it. 

Distance: 3.8 Miles (Round trip) to the bottom of the falls and back

Level: Easy to moderate. Rolling hills, no crazy elevation gain.  Some rocky parts of the trail.  Steep section going down to the bottom of the falls.  310 ‘ of elevation gain.

Kids: Yes.  It is only 3.8 miles round trip but there were some rocky sections.  With that being said, there were a lot (a lot a lot) of kids and families on the trail.

Dogs: Yes! Dogs are allowed. 

              

If you missed out on the others hikes on my "tour", check out: 

Adams Canyon Trail- Adams Waterfall

Horsetail Falls- Alpine, Utah

Donut Falls

Bridal Veil Falls- Provo Canyon, Utah

Bridal Veil Falls

Provo Canyon, Utah 

Bridal Veil Falls is a beautiful 600' "Double Cascade/Double Cataract" waterfall in Provo Canyon. The waterfall empties into the Provo River below, a popular spot for weekend tubing down the river. 

An aerial tramway service to the top of the falls was built in 1961 and the small, six-passenger tramway functioned as a recreational attraction and as the only access to a restaurant built by Groneman Construction situated on a cliff at the top of the falls. In early 1996 an avalanche destroyed the building housing the tramway machinery and a gift shop and it was never rebuilt. In July 2008, an arson fire burned the building at the top of the tramway, and very little remains. In August 2008, the tram's cable was cut down (Source)

Today, the falls are a popular attraction where tourists stop to picnic and play in the pond at the bottom of the falls. Although not a hike, this is a very popular spot for anyone venturing down Provo Canyon, scenic highway 189. There is a small paved path that gives you access to the bottom of the falls and wading pools. We stopped to take in the views of this waterfall on our way to hike Stewart Falls past Sundance. This is also the route of the Utah Valley marathon, the 26.2 mile race down Provo Canyon I ran in June.

Snowbird Oktoberfest

Happy Friday.  I hope everyone has exciting plans for the upcoming three day weekend.  If you don't (and you are in Utah) then I have just the thing for you.

Snowbird Oktoberfest 

What:  Snowbird's Okttoberfest was voted one of America's 10 Best Oktoberfests by Men's Journal Magazine. Snowbird's Annual Oktoberfest attracts over 60,000 visitors and has grown to become one of the largest festivals in Utah.

When:  The festivities run every Saturday and Sunday from Aug. 15 through Oct. 11, 2015, including Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 7.  The festival hours are from 12 pm - 6 pm.

Lodging:  There is even an option to make a weekend of the festivities with the Oktoberfest Getaway package:  Lodging, daily breakfast and unlimited Summer Activities from $95/night during Oktoberfest! Book

Parking:   Due to the overwhelming popularity of this event and limited parking at the resort, we strongly encourage guests to consider carpooling. To that end, during these event days, Snowbird will be charging $5 (cash-only) for parking in lots accessed via Entries 1, 2 and 4.  We found free on the road parking  but that was a little tight and a long walk.  

Admission:  Free admission into the event, food, beer and rides are for purchase.  

Family friendly?:  Yes! A lot of families, and kid friendly activities such as rides.  

Snowbird's Oktoberfest

Cars parked along the road for Snowbird's Oktoberfest

Snowbird's Oktoberfest

Walking in from the car, you could see all the festivities below.  There are a lot of kid friendly options at this event, making it a family affair believe it or not.  

Snowbird's Oktoberfest

Drinking a beer at Oktoberfest 

Beer "steins" at Oktberfest

The beer situation can be a little confusing if you don't know about it ahead of time.  Basically, you have to buy a mug.  You can pick from a variety of sizes/prices (see the figure below). After you purchased the mug, you just pay for refills.  They also had bottled beer and wine available.    Your options are:  

22 oz with a plastic mug at $12.50, with $7.50 for refills

25 oz. with a glass stein at $15.50 with  $7.50 for refills 

34 oz with a glass stein at $19.50 with  $9.75 for refills 

While this may seem expensive, you are getting a LARGE 22-34 oz beer  for $7.50 to $9.50.  We went for the 22 oz option because I had no where to store that gigantic 34 oz. stein. 

Once you buy the mug, you can have it refilled at any of the beer booths.  There were so many beer options (yes, including pumpkin).  The beer options were really a highly for this event.  After you purchase your mug, you get a refill card for future refills at the beginning of the line so the cashier doesn't recharge you for your mug. 

There are various food vendors around the event, and a large white tent full of German food.  We didn't end up getting any food because if I am being honest, nothing looked that great. Maybe I am just being picky, but if you head into the tent and order some food and want to prove me otherwise, please do.  I judge a place by its french fries and these looked sub-par I must say.   

Except for these waffles.  Not ordering a waffle is my biggest regret from the weekend. 

If you are bringing the family, there are tons of kid friendly activities.  But be warned, the prices for the rides and events are quite pricey.  

If drinking a cold beer in the sunshine of Snowbird sounds like a fun time, then this is a great weekend activity.  If you have kiddos, bring them along as there are a ton of kid friendly activities including face painting, rides, and activities.  

Although admission is free, the rides, food, and beer can be quite pricey.  While the food didn't really have me running to order some German food, the beer selection was awesome.  A ton of local breweries, and a great variety of awesome beer, including some great fall selections.  There is also live music at several different spots along the grounds.  Bring a blanket, and hang out with your beer with Snowbird as the backdrop.

Happy fall!  

What you need to know before you head into the Uintas

The Uintas are one of Utah's Best Kept Secrets. I mean- the National Parks are great but the Uintas are just amazing. All of the trails are dog friendly (every one!)

If you aren't convinced, check out some of my Uinta Posts: 

About the Uintas

Country Lakes - High Uintas

Wall Lake, Hope Lake, Clyde Lake and The Notch Hike

High Uintas- Mirror Lake and Bonnie Lake

If you still aren't convinced, listen up:  Only 45 minutes away from the city, dog friendly, with over 1,000 lakes, amazing hiking trails, backpacking and camping opportunities, it is really a gem.  It is my favorite spot to escape on a summer weekend because it is always so much cooler than the city, and all of the Uintas are dog friendly.  If you are familiar with Utah and our watersheds, you know how hard it can be to find a dog friendly hike with water. Here is a list of Uinta hikes and you will see there is something for everyone. 

Let's talk about everything you need to know 

before you head into the Uintas

Fees:  It is 6$ for a 3 day pass in the Uintas.  This is a little confusing becasue there is no mandatory ranger station at the beginning.  You can chose to stop at the entrance station in the beginning of the Uintas, or you can go the "self service" option available at many trailheads and popular areas around.  If you have a National Parks Pass, this works too!  Just leave your parks pass on your dashboard. 

Parking:  Make sure you park in designated parking spots only at the trail heads.  Some of the popular trailheads, such as Crystal Lake trailhead, run out of parking very quickly.  Make sure you arrive at the traillhead early and  park in a DESIGNATED spot, or else you will return to a parking ticket on your car.  Make sure you buy the recreation pass at one of the self service or ranger stations, and leave this in your car for rangers to see.  

Garbage:  Besides the campgrounds, there really arent many (or any?) garbage cans around the Uintas, even at the trial heads, even at the bathrooms.  Carry out what you carry in is the rule of the game here. 

Dogs:  All of the Uintas are dog friendly which is AMAZING.  You and fido can hike to your hearts content and swim in as many lakes as you would like.  But please, be respectful, keeping your dog on leash or under voice commands, and always cleaning up after your pet.  While you wont see many (or any) bikers out on the trails, there are a lot of families and horses.  Be respectful 

Swimming:  Be warned, the water is always cold.  If you do decide to go swimming, be warned of the temperature, and stay away from the fishermen.  The lakes of the Uintas are stocked and popular among the local fishermen.  

Maps and Service:  There are no paper maps handed to you when you pull in.  And the only maps you will see are the the trail heads.  I highly recommend purchasing a Nat Geo Map here on Amazon before you go.  There is NO cell service in the Uintas.  You may find some on the Bald Mountain Pass, but go in knowing you wont have a cell phone to get you out of a bind.  Always bring a map with you as there are a ton of lakes and you can easily get disoriented. On another note, Mirror Lake Scenic Byway goes on for millllleeeessss.  If you are at the other end of the park, Wyoming is your closest town.  BUT, there is a ranger station/store at this end if you do need something- this was a good find while camping on July 4th.  Get your map off Amazon

Layers:  This is so important.  The weather changes so dramatically up here and like I said, there is no service to check your weather app.  Always bring warm layers as the Uintas can get very chilly, especially at night if you are camping (It can go from 80s to 30s).  My lesson with the Uintas, and basically most of Utah, is bring a swim suit, rain jacket (always pack a light rain shell), snow coat and sunscreen everywhere you go.  Because you can never be sure what the weather will do!  I've drove in on a nice sunny day and an hour layer caught in a snow storm on Bald Mountain Pass.

Food and Water:  Make sure you bring enough food, water, and safety supplies with you.  You are in a remote area with no sevice.  Be prepared! Pack enough food and water for your trip and extra in case of an emergency.  And always pack a travel first aid kit.  I absolutely love my Osprey Mira 34 backpacking bag.  So much room, large water reservoir, really comfortable, with a built in ran cover you can use in bad weather.  This bag rocks.  I also recommend a first aid/safety kit like this.  

Camping:  Make sure you bring enough warm clothes for the night.  The temperature drop very quickly at night.  Also make sure you have bug spray, bear spray, and use safe practices to keep food away from your campsite (a separate section below).  No one wants to wake up to a black bear in the middle of the night.  Importantly:  Do NOT camp within 100 feet of any water source, and 200 is preferred. We use the Alps Mountaneering 2 person Lynx we love it!  Order yours off Amazon here. 

Fires:  There are some fire restrictions in the Uintas.  You can find the full list here.    This will affect less than 10% of the High Uintas Wilderness. All other areas will remain open to campfires, though all visitors are encouraged to practice “Leave No Trace” by minimizing campfire impacts or, better yet, choosing to go without one.  Always be aware of the fire hazard for the day (there is a sign when you enter the park) and be very careful.  Find more campfire tips here.  If you are bringing in firewood, make sure you buy it outside of Kamas where the prices are jacked up for tourists heading into the Uintas. If you do not bring your own firewood, only collect dead and downed wood that is on the ground- do not cut branches off of live trees. 

Food Storage/Bears:  Like all wilderness areas, it is important to keep your food out of reach of wildlife.  If you are car camping (camping at a site with your car nearby) make sure you lock all food items in your car.  Coolers, any food, and even tooth paste and deodorant should be locked in your car.  If you think this is extreme, bears can even get INTO your car.  Bears have been seen getting into car doors:  check out this video of a bear getting into someones car for the food.   Yellowstone even put in Bear Boxes to help prevent bears getting into campers belongings.  If you are backpacking and your car is not nearby, it is important to know how to tie up your food.  Read here about how to tie your food away from your campsite to prevent Black Bears at your campsite (and buy a Bear Bag here) .  If you do encounter a Black Bear (the only bear species you will find in the Uintas)  If the bear approaches you, yell, wave your arms, throw rocks, and retreat slowly by walking backwards. Carry on as much as you can, but avoid making eye contact with the bear. Many animals perceive eye contact as a challenge or threat.

On Your Way Out

Samak Smoke Shop-  Samak (Kamas backwards) is the little town on the edge of the Uintas. And the Samak Smoke Shop is an awesome little spot right before you head into the Uintas.  They have amazing coffee, basic convenience store needs (camping needs, beer, etc), but the best?  Their smoked goods, specifically their jerky.  Their smoked jerky is hands down, the best I have ever had.  Peppered, teriyaki, turkey, beef jerky, there are a lot of awesome and they are all absolutely delicious.  Their jerky is smoked in house with no preservatives and has won several awards. They use fresh cherry wood chips from Wisconsin instead of liquid smoke, using a special recipe- no chemical aftertaste, no preservatives, and always fresh.  Its the bees knees.  There is also a variety of smoked cheeses and fish.  And yes, you can order some of that amazing jerky online here if you aren't local!

Chevron Gas Station Donuts:  This is going to sound weird (like really weird) but some of the best donuts I have ever had is at the Chevron gas station in Kamas, the gateway to the Uintas.  If you are leaving the Uintas early (or getting into the Uintas early) you have to stop at this Chevron gas station for their amazing donuts.  Make sure you go early because they do sell out quick.  

Now that you are prepared, head into the Uintas!  Enjoy this lovely escape from the city heat, in the beautiful Utah wilderness. 

What you may need:  
The gear I use and highly recommend!