easy: there's a trail that connects Aspen Grove to the summit parking lot. I can't remember the name of that trail.
I believe this is called Lame Horse #55. This is where I had my motor bike encounter last year. Definitely easy and a great trail if looking to escape summer sun. Shaded by dense vegetation much of the way and the trail is soft under the feet. Seriously, a whole book could be written on all the trails accessible from American Fork Canyon and Alpine Loop...and probably already has.
How high do you guys think I can hike up there right now before hitting snow or areas that haven't greened up yet? Particularly in AF canyon and up along the Squaw Peak road.
I will likely be attempting Buffalo Peak through Rock Canyon from my house on Wednesday and will report back. I tried for it from Bridal Veil about a month ago and started to hit snow right at Hope Campground and the Squaw Peak Road. Between Little Rock Canyon Overlook and Buffalo the snow was still a good 3-4 feet deep and not having snowshoes, I had to turn around. I ended up scrambling and bushwacking down through Little Rock Canyon before landing a trail further down. You can see my report of that adventure on my
blog. I'm sure much of the snow has melted out now, but I'll bet there are still some good drifts still sitting there between Little Rock and Buffalo.
And to add to the above lists:
Y mtn/Slide Canyon/Y mtn overlook -
Moderate. S
witchbacks to the Y still burn my legs up
Slate Canyon -
Moderate. Can be hiked as loop with Y mtn/Slide Canyon or Rock Canyon for an extended loop
Little Rock Canyon (between Rock Canyon and Provo Canyon) -
Moderate to Difficult (Some class 2).
Some great little campsites for those seeking a "quick" up and back overnighter, but not easily accessed as there is no parking lot or actual trailhead for it and you must cut up through a neighborhood....in fact, let's just keep this place a secret as well.
Spanish Fork Peak -
Difficult (Steep)
Loafer Mountain/Santaquin Peak -
Moderate
Nebo via North side (Payson Canyon) -
Moderate to difficult with a bit of exposure. South side is longer, more exposed, and thus a bit more difficult from what I read. Can actually bag 3 peaks right along the ridge if you don't mind the scrambling and exposure.
Big Springs (South Fork Provo Canyon) -
Easy. B
ecomes moderate to difficult after Big Springs up to ridge.
GWT/#33 via Canyon Glen Park (Provo Canyon) to Rock Pile Monument junction -
Easy,
Can become more moderate if you push on up to Big Baldy. Can also swing out and over to Dry Canyon, down to BST, and elsewhere from the Rock Pile.
Grove Creek -
Easy but some slight exposure
I hiked the last one as a loop with Battle Creek last week and didn't encounter any snow but there were traces up around Big Baldy and those traces are probably gone now. There are dozens and dozens of very enjoyable and scenic hikes in and accessible via Utah County and this one remains one of my top 5 for the area. The others being: Timp (either TH), Rock Canyon/Squaw Peak/Cascade/Provo Peak, Dry Creek (Alpine), & Loafer Mtn/Santaquin Peak. I've yet to do Nebo and Spanish Fork Peak but aim to cross those off this year. Grove Creek used to be one of those lesser used trails known mostly to just locals as well, but since a paved road, parking lot, and proper trail head have been installed in recent years, it has become much more popular. If you ever hike it, you'll certainly see why. While I'm happy it's more maintained and more accessible now, I'm also bummed that it has significantly increased the traffic up there. Of course, I have a hammock now, so the sites are much less limited for me now. Perhaps I'll post my own report of it. Before the trailhead was made more accessible, it was Battle Creek taking up all the traffic leaving Grove Creek to those who sought more isolation. You can also hike the "G" from the Kiwanis Park at the Battle Creek Trailhead...a great alternative to the high traffic "Y" with similar views of Utah Valley and the Lake.
Update - After reading the original post a little bit closer, I've "green lighted" the ones in my list that are completely free or would be mostly clear of snow right now.