Grove Creek Trail to Great Western/Timpanogos Perimeter Trail

The Trail
This moderate trail is about 3.4 miles (one way) from the trail head to the Great Western Trail/Timpanogos Perimeter Trail. However, if you continue south along the Great Western Trail to the junction shown in the maps below, it is 3.8 miles (one way) with about a 2500 foot elevation change.

Topographical Map

In the map above, the red flag marks a view point for the first waterfall (1.6 miles from the trailhead). The blue flag marks the second waterfall (roughly 2 miles from the trailhead). The black square marks the bridge, which is the point where the trail crosses over Grove Creek (about 2.2 miles from the trailhead). The tent and the water mark the Indian Campground (a primitive campground for backpackers) and the natural Grove Creek Spring (3.1 miles from the trailhead). The green dot marks a split in the trail. We went right, but I believe that going left will also take you up to the Great Western Trail, and this route probably follows the trail map shown on official maps of the area (such as the one pictured below found at the trailhead). The hiker symbol marks where the trail intersects with Trail 151, the Great Western Trail/Timpanogos Perimeter Trail (3.4 miles from the trailhead), and the green star marks a junction point between the Perimeter Trail and the Indian Trail Rd. The red portion of the trail goes along the road, which runs parallel to the Perimeter Trail for a ways.

Graph of Elevation (to junction)

Trail in Google Earth

 

Area Map Posted at the Trailhead

There are some other trails that go off in other directions at the beginning of the trail too. If you wish to go up Grove Creek Canyon, stay along the dirt road until there is an obvious split that appears to run parallel to the road for a ways but heads uphill. This first section will include some of the steeper areas of the trail as it climbs part way up the mountain along a couple switchbacks. As hikers continue toward the waterfalls, the trail is fairly exposed as it winds along this steep side of Mt. Mahogany.

Heading up the switchbacks near the start of the trail

Orange Globe Mallow

Trail winding through rocky areas

Firecracker Penstemon growing along trail

The first definite point of interest along the trail is the first waterfall. The trail does not go very close to this fall, but there is a nice view of it from on top of a rock that edges into the canyon. The view of the canyon and valley are nice from this point too.

View of first waterfall

A view of the second waterfall can be seen soon after passing by the first. The trail does continue on to pass close by to the fall as well, but does not go right up to it.

View of Second Waterfall from distance

This is as close as the trail gets to the second waterfall

Soon after the second fall, the trail crosses a small bridge. After this point, the trail cuts through some pleasant shaded forest areas interspersed with small meadows.

The next landmark hikers will reach is the Grove Creek Spring and Indian Campground. From there it is only a short distance to where the trail intersects with Trail 151 - the Timpanogos Perimeter Trail.

If you continue along the Great Western/Perimeter Trail going south, you will soon be hiking through a large open meadow.

Soon after that you will come to a sign marking the junction between the road and the trail.

The junction sign is at the red circle

Junction Sign

It would be easy to continue from this point to make a loop by continuing on and then heading down Battle Creek Canyon, or if you wanted an even longer hike,  you could head down Dry Creek Canyon (parts of both of these trails are detailed in this post).

Dogs, bicycles, and horses are permitted on this trail, however it is not recommended for horses or bicycles given the rocky exposed portions of the trail. Vault toilets are accessible at the trailhead.

Directions
This trail is located in Utah County in Pleasant Grove. To get there, take I-15 to Exit 275 in Pleasant Grove. Turn northeast onto Pleasant Grove Blvd., continue onto Center St., and then turn left on 100 East. Continue to 500 North/Grove Creek Dr. and turn right. Stay on this road until you reach the parking area for the Grove Creek Trail at its end.