Provo Peak Hike

Less famous than Timpanogos but no less spectacular, Provo Peak lies just behind the Provo/Orem area.  The hike is enjoyable in both summer and winter seasons.

Provo Peak (highest point on left) looking from a ridge just behind Y Mount

This is one of my favorite hikes in the area for a several reasons:

• Great views and picture taking opportunities
  
• Not many people go past Y Mount and one can enjoy solitude in the mountains
  
• Y Mount trail head parking lot is free of charge and close enough that most students could walk there (unlike Timpanogos or anything up American Fork canyon)

How to get there:

Begin at the Y Trailhead and follow the signs up to the Y.  At the top of the Y (1.1 miles) there is a narrow trail leading up and south.  Follow this trail up past a rocky outcropping and the trail will lead roughly east as it hugs the left slope of a V-shaped canyon.  Continue on this trail as it eventually flattens out and you come to a meadow (Bear Flat / Bear Meadow).  At this point you have come about 2.3 miles and have climbed in elevation by 2220 feet.  The trail continues through Bear Flat but becomes a little less obvious as it winds through several aspen groves and veers right (southeast) as it continues to climb into another small clearing .  This clearing has a spring in it during the warmer seasons (and the water is quite good to drink straight from the ground).  The trail might be hard to follow through this area but continue through to the other side and you should pick it up again.  There is an old road that leads west from this clearing… this is NOT the direction you want to go.
The trail climbs just a little further past the second meadow/clearing and you will reach a saddle point with a deep valley ahead of you, Maple Mountain on your right, and an unnamed ridge on your left.  Up to this point you have come a total of about 3.4 miles and climbed about 3000 feet.  This is the halfway point to the top of Provo Peak (1/4 of the full trip).  If you are still feeling spry then continue on…





There is a faint trail that leads up the unnamed ridge to your left.  This will climb roughly northeast staying low on the ridge (because you have to drop back down again before climbing Provo Peak).  The trail will reach a high point as you cross over the ridge and Provo Peak will be fully visible on the other side.  There is also a dirt road that runs north/south in the valley (about 300 - 400 feet below).  In the summer it is common to see people driving on this road.
Head for the highest point in the valley below (the trail should take you there).  You will see an old jeep trail leading NE branch off from the well maintained dirt road, this jeep trail will be your path for about a half mile.  Just before the jeep trail ends there should be a path leading up Provo Peak to your right.  If you can't find it, just hike up the ridge wherever you can...  you will soon run into the trail which pretty much zigzags along the top of the ridge all the way up to the peak.

These details were written for summer when you can follow a trail; the route is roughly the same however for snowshoeing in the winter (this is at least an eight hour ordeal of continuous hiking in snow).  Be careful and stay out of avalanche prone areas and conditions.  Hiking on the top of a ridge is safer than hiking sideways across a steep slope.  Always be aware of your surroundings.  Don't exhaust yourself on the hike in -- make sure you have enough energy to return on your own power.  Also remember that hiking downhill is sometimes harder than hiking uphill.




Several pictures from both seasons of hiking Provo Peak follow:

Wild Geraniums growing on a slope overlooking Y Mount (right) and Maple Mountain (left)

Rattlesnakes are very common in this area!  Do not poke at them and keep your eyes and ears on the trail.

Limestone Phacelia (I think) on Provo Peak in late July.

View from the top at night (somewhat overcast and rainy).

Shelter for the evening (just a bit below the peak).

The hike back the next morning with sun rays over Utah Valley.

Cascade Peak with Timpanogos behind.

Many wildflowers near peak include several shades (pink, red & orange) of Indian Paintbrush.

Maple Mountain (left), Y Mount (middle), Squaw Peak (right), Utah Lake (background)

You get soaked hiking back in the morning (much of the vegetation is chest high).

Buckley Mountain (foreground right), Mount Nebo (background left)

Sunset over Y Mount from halfway up Provo Peak.

Halfway up Provo Peak looking northeast.

Halfway up Provo Peak looking toward Salt Lake.
Cascade and Timpanogos covered by clouds, Y Mount and Utah Lake on far left.

Windy and very cold on top of Provo Peak.  DO NOT approach the edge on wind-swept peaks / ridges.
They may have  fragile overhangs (you might fall 15 feet and not be able to find a way back up).