A lot of the time, hikers seek the pretty view from the top of a mountain. But what if you want scenery all the way up?
Jerry Goodspeed shares five beautiful wildflower hikes to put on your family map.
Directions
Tony Grove:
From Logan, Utah, take Highway 89 east for 19 miles; turn at the sign for Tony Grove Recreation Area at milepost 393.8 and follow the signs for 7 miles to parking lot.
Trail: Short trail winds around the lake. Trail head in parking lot. About one mile in length.
Favorite wildflowers: Bluebells, Indian Paintbrush, columbine, coralbells.
Willard Peak:
Take Highway 91 east from I-15 through Brigham City. Take the first Mantua exit. In town, go right at a main junction as you near Main Street. Follow this road (Willard Peak Road) eight miles to Willard Basin. This road gets rough and ugly.
Trail: wander around the basin area. There is also 3+ mile trail that leads to Ben Lomond peak you can hike. You may also see mountain goats along the way.
Favorite wildflowers: Agastache (giant hyssop), lupines, Sulfur buckwheat.
Albion Basin:
From I-215, take the 6200 South exit and travel a mile east to Wasatch Blvd. Take Wasatch Blvd 3 miles south to the junction with Little Cottonwood Canyon/Highway 210. Take a left at the junction and travel up Little Cottonwood Canyon 10.2 miles to the campground. The last 2.4 miles are on a maintained gravel road.
Trail: Trail head to Cecret lake at campground. One mile up to the lake.
Favorite wildflowers: Indian Paintbrush, Elephant head, Monkey Flower, Perry’s Primrose, Monardella, Arnica
Bald Mountain and Mirror Lake Highway:
From Kamas, take the Mirror Lake Highway (Highway 150) 30 miles to Bald Mountain overlook. About 0.5 miles north of the overlook is the left turn to Bald Mountain trailhead.
Trail: About 2.5 miles to the top, but there are wildflowers all along the lower section of the trail. Beautiful views at the top.
Favorite wildflowers: Indian Paintbrush, Balsamroot, geranium, Lupine
Alpine Loop and Cascade Springs:
From Salt Lake City, Utah, take I-15 to the Alpine-Highland exit 284. Travel east on Highway 92 for 5 miles to the junction of Highway 92 and the North Fork of American Fork Canyon. Keep going straight east up the South Fork. From the summit of the Alpine Scenic Loop you will come to a turn off that will be marked Cascade Springs.
Trail: There are three 15 min loops that surround the springs major flow areas. There are numerous wildflowers tucked in around the springs, but you need to look.
Favorite wildflowers: Monkshood, monkeyflower, penstemon
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