Timpanogos Cave National Monument

We left mid-morning to go to Timpanogos Cave National Monument, the last national park or monument that we have not visited in Utah. We drove down the winding steep Heber Canyon to the other side of the Wasatch Mountain Range and up to American Fork where we headed back east on US 92 to the national monument. The film about the caves was just starting so we sat and watched it. There are three caves, Hansen, Timpanogos and Middle that were discovered in 1887, 1915 and 1921 respectively. They now have tunnels connecting them. The paved trail to the caves is a mile and a half long and rises more than a thousand vertical feet. They allow you an hour and a half to climb up to the caves with an hour tour and however long it takes you to get back down with a total average time of three hours. Unfortunately, due to lack of internet we had not done our homework. They only allow twenty people per tour and all the slots were reserved for the rest of the day and the next day so we didn't get to go through the caves.

Heber Canyon

Mt. Timpanogos in Background

Heading East From American Fork

Timpanogos Canyon Road

We Are at the Southern Point on Deer Creek Res

We did, however, continue on US 92 up through the Uinta National Forest which is a very narrow, winding road with lots of curves and switchbacks that continues for a total of twenty miles reaching an altitude of 8,060 feet before starting down the other side and back to US 189 where we were camped. Even at the highest point on the road, the Timpanogos Peak towered almost four thousand feet above us. The ride was spectacular with beautiful fall foliage. Many of the trees we discovered were some kind of maple. There were sections with the largest aspens we have ever seen which had not even begun to change to their gorgeous fall yellows. Tall mountains, deep valleys, bright colors, dark greens, gurgling brooks, sharp corners...we had it all. Most of the road was barely wide enough for two cars to meet and the going was slow but worth the time it took.

Aspen Lane

Fall Colors

Maple Leaves

Once out of the Uinta National Forest, we were in Aspen Grove where there is a huge BYU (Brigham Young University) Alumni Camp as well as the Sundance Ski Area. The roads improved and before long we were back on busy US 189. Back at the campsite, we had planned to go kayaking. After a late lunch, we changed our minds and settled in looking at the view of the many big powerboats on the water that would have made for a rough ride in small boats.

Sundance Ski Area

Northbound to Deer Creek

Gunnite Sprayed to Keep Rocks from Falling

I finished the hand sewing on my quilting project while Ted read with his eyes closed. Luckily all the bird dropping missed my handiwork and when it was time for happy hour, I moved my chair. After dinner the people across from us had  nice campfire which we enjoyed from our site.

Note: For future reference, the transfer switch that almost caused the motorhome to burn up last November started giving us problems again. No more using the generator until we get it checked out.