Big Springs Hollow

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 3.6 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
MTB Skill level:
Elevation: 5797 - 6624 feet
Elevation gain: 1,029 feet
Cellphone: 0-2 bars
Time: 2 hrs.
Trailhead: Big Springs Park
Fee: none
Attractions: Forest hike

The Big Springs Hollow trail is located in the Uinta National Forest near Provo, Utah. The trail begins at Big Springs Park where it heads west up a side canyon along a small stream. Numerous creek crossings make the trail fun for families with small children. Maples and elderberries are among the thick growth of vegetation along the lower part of the trail giving way to aspen, pine and chokecherries as the trail climbs up the canyon.

Dry Canyon/Big Baldy

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 7.4 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation: 5434 - 8757 feet
Cellphone: 2-5 bars
Time: 5 hrs.
Trailhead: Dry Canyon
Fee: none
Attractions: Scenic valley views

The Dry Canyon trail is located in the Uinta National Forest east of Orem, Utah. Big Baldy is one of the more prominent peaks in the area, with a summit elevation of 8,757 feet, on the western flanks of the towering Mt. Timpanogos that has an elevation of 11,750 feet. From the summit of Big Baldy hikers are treated to views of Utah Valley that is laid out before them to the west dominated by the expansive Utah Lake. Rising to an elevation of 11,928 feet, Mount Nebo dominates the view to the south. This post follows the Dry Canyon trail to a ridge line on the east side of Big Baldy where it ascends to its summit.

Cascade Springs

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 1.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 8171 - 9085 feet
Cellphone: 0 bars
Time: 1 hr. 15 mins.
Trailhead: Upper or Lower Cascade Springs
Fee: $6/vehicle or Interagency pass
Attractions: Waterfalls, paved nature trail

The Cascade Springs trail is located east of Provo, Utah in the Uinta National Forest. Visitors can watch as an amazing 7 million gallons of water a day, produced by a number of natural springs, cascades down the gentle slope of the mountain over limestone ledges and through pools teeming with trout. The abundance of water and cool mountain temperatures create a riparian environment of lush vegetation and wildflowers around the springs. The paved trail is mostly wheelchair accessible but assistance may be needed on some of the slopes.

Fifth Water Hot Springs

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 5.3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 5472 - 6200 feet
Cellphone: 0 bars
Time: 2 hrs. 15 mins. (without a soak)
Trailhead: Three Forks
Fee: none
Attractions: Hot springs pools, waterfalls

The Fifth Water Hot Springs are located in the Spanish Fork District of the Uinta National Forest between Price and Spanish Fork, Utah. The hot springs are located along Fifth Water Creek where there are also several scenic waterfalls. Weekends are the peak time to find people soaking in the pools of water. While there are no signs in the area, common sense would suggest that it is illegal to bath in the nude.