Stewart Cascades Trail

Date Placed: July 25, 2010
Letterbox: Traditional
Carvers: Woody Clowns (Sticky Geraniums) and GreenJello (Stewart Falls)
Planters: GreenJello and Teancum
Location: Stewart Cascades Trail, Aspen Grove, Alpine Loop, Utah, Utah
Distance: 4 miles round trip
Status: Active (only the Sticky Geraniums... the Stewart Falls box is missing!)

The Stewart Cascades Trail is one of the loveliest hikes in Utah. Your destination is Stewart Falls, one of the most scenic and photogenic waterfalls in northern Utah. It falls in two tiers, and is over 200 feet tall. It is an easy-to-moderate hike through a beautiful forest on the east side of Mount Timpanogos.

The trail is well-marked and easy to follow. The descent from the ridge/overlook area down to the base of the falls is quite steep (young ones should be held in check at that point) but this is a great family hike. Summer is a good time to make the trek, and fall is even better because the colored leaves are magnificent!


Directions: From I-15, take the Orem 800 North exit (#272). Head east and follow all the way to the mountains. When the road splits at the end, head to the left and start up Provo Canyon. Approximately 7 miles up, turn left at the Sundance turnoff. Continue on the Alpine Loop Road for about 6 miles, where there will be a fee station. (If you have a National Parks Pass, you can use that in lieu of the normal day use fee.) The parking area just past the fee station is where you will find the trailhead. Start to the right of the bathrooms, up the "stairs" and straight up the path to the brown trail marker that will point you in the right direction.

After you've taken [The Answer To Life, The Universe And Everything] steps from the trail marker, look to your left for a chunk of pink cement next to the trail. You will find some hidden Sticky Geraniums behind it, under some rocks. Please be very discreet and rehide EXTREMELY WELL, as this is a hugely popular hiking trail. (Sticky Geraniums are a plentiful wildflower found along the bottom part of this trail, as well as all over Mount Timpanogos. Keep an eye out for them as you hike!) Thanks to Woody clowns for this lovely stamp!

Continue on the trail to the falls. You will pass a water tank, gorgeous scenery, plenty of stinging nettle (know how to identify it so you can avoid it!), rock slides.... and then you will reach the waterfall overlook. Find the 4-ish foot tall wooden trail marker at the overlook area. Head the Sundance way, about 10-12 steps. There will be a pile of large rocks to your left. Under the large flat rock will be a Stewart stamp. Again, please be discreet and rehide well!

If you want to get to the base of the falls (and of course you do!), just keep heading down the Sundance way along the switchbacks.