Cascade Springs

The Trail
This trail system consists of about 1.4 miles total of mostly paved walkways and boardwalks. There are three main loops visitors can stroll along, plus trails from the upper parking area and lower parking area to those loops. The entire trail system has about a 188 foot elevation change. Keep in mind though that most people do not walk along all the sections of trail shown below. The elevation graph below reflects our path through the trail system starting from the lower end, going up to the upper end, walking to the upper parking lot, and heading back down along the trails along the sides of the loop we hadn't covered yet.

Topographical Map

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

Cascade Springs are fed from the water up in the surrounding mountains. The snow melt and other water flow through the porous rock in the mountains until they reach Cascade Springs, with the impermeable rock forces the water to flow out through the springs.

Trailhead at upper parking lot

Not only are the little waterfalls and flowing streams of interest, the wildflowers in the area add lots of color and beauty to this area as well. Also, keep an eye out for trout in the pools.

Monkey Flower

Columbine

Bracted Honeysuckle/Black Twinberry

Monkshood

Portions of this trail are wheelchair accessible. The entire trail is very easy for people of almost any skill level. This area is open to leashed dogs. Bathrooms are available at both trailheads, but flushing toilets are only at the lower trailhead. The bathrooms with running water have been closed this summer though. This path is in a national forest area that requires a fee to enter and use.

Directions
This trail is located in Wasatch County, Utah. To get to it, take the Alpine Loop up American Fork Canyon. Soon after the summit, there is a turn off for Cascade Springs.

If you are coming from the south, you can go up Provo Canyon, turn off toward Sundance and Aspen Grove, and continue to Alpine Loop. From there you can continue to the turn off for Cascade Springs.

Either way, the first parking area for Cascade Springs you come to is the Upper Parking Lot. This lot will take you on a longer walk to reach the springs. The lower lot is much closer to the springs. GPS Coordinates for Lower Parking Lot: N40 27.490 W111 32.934