I went to Tibble Fork reservoir today.  It is located up in the American Fork canyon in Utah county.   It was rather a surreal moment when I first saw two pelicans floating in the water without a care for all of the fishers in the water.  It was even more surreal when one swam across the lake and began to preen just a few feet in front of me.

Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher. ~William Wordsworth

Heading up from Tibble Fork Resevoir

Beautiful sunny day in the mountains today with intense blue skies. I’m not really much of a backcountry skier; I’m more of a cross country skier but I don’t ski groomed tracks. I do like the backcountry but generally stick to trails and mellow terrain. There are a few reasons for this; One, I’m not a great skier, two, avalanches terrify me and I have no avy gear, like beacons, an Avalung, etc., and third, I usually have my kids with me, and sometimes little kids, like today. For years I skied a pair of Fisher Europa 99 ST skis that I bought when I was an undergrad at college.These are long, skinny, metal edged skiis. I paired these with a pair of Asolo leather three pin boots. A couple years ago I replaced these with a pair of Rossignol BC 65 skiis and NNN BC bindings. This was the first time I had skied with a waxless base ski (i.e fishscales). I’m not convinced they are better than waxable skis, but they certainly are more convenient and are just fine for most trails I ski. My boots are Rossignol BC X6 or maybe X7, I’m not sure. I like them quite a bit. They are really warm.

Cross country skis are a great way to access the mountains in winter, much more fun than snowshoes, and more efficient. I have been skiing with my kids since they were very little. Some of them are now adults.

We drove up American Fork Canyon to Tibble Fork Reservoir. From there we skied up the snow covered road to Silver Flat Reservoir, about 4.5 miles. After about two miles we took a trail that was quite a bit steeper than the road but prettier and more direct. It took us to right below the Silver Flat dam. We wanted to ski further, up to Silver Lake, but my youngest son, 11 years old, was keen on heading back and was not too interested in the rather steep climb up to Silver Lake.

The weather was pretty warm, probably in the mid to high 30′s. We all just wore lightweight baselayers on top. For most of the time my older son and I didn’t even wear gloves. The scenery up here is great, but I dislike the snowmobile traffic.

Snack break half way up

The shortcut trail

Mini cornice on the dam

A frozen Silver Flat Reservoir

At Silver Flat

North Summit of Mt. Timpanogos

Last year we did this same ski trip in a pretty heavy snowstorm. The powder was great. Today the snow was not great. We have had such a dry winter, I surprised there was as much snow up there as there was. Nevertheless it was a nice day in the mountains.

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Roadhouse Picnic area, American Fork Canyon, Uinta National Forest, Utah.

Camping fire pot.

Fixed BBQ equipment.

Nearby picnic sites in Roadhouse Picnic Area, American Fork Canyon, Uinta National Forest, Utah.

The picnic area is by the American Fork River.

American Fork River is flooding.

Our BBQ today: Irish Garlic Sausage, Beef Steak, and Salmon.

We bought some yummy stuff: Stuffed Red Pepper, Stuffed Oliver and Cheese Ball.

American Fork River, 1 July 2011.

Noah playing camping fire.

Clara and her paint.

Noah and Clara were seeking the materials for camping fire.

Noah is happy.

Tibble Fork lake and the snow covered Mount Box Elder.

Looking east side of the Mount Timpanogos.

People is boating in Tibble Fork lake.

Snow covered Mount Box Elder and the Tibble Fork lake.

Snow covered Mount Box Elder and the Tibble Fork lake.

Tibble Fork Recreation Area

Just a short ride up American Fork Canyon is a recreation destination for any winter outdoor enthusiast.  On a beautiful winters day you’ll come across snowmobilers, cross country skiers, snowshoers and even ice fisherman.

It is also a popular destination for sledding as the slopping hills just around the reservoir provide a fun ride for even the smallest of children.  Families can park their car and be on hills worthy of sledding in just a few minutes.

For those who wish to venture out farther from the parking lot there are trails that go to Silver Lake Flats and Silver Lake, Shaffer Fork, Dry Fork, Wasatch Mountain State Park & Cascade Springs.

The Skinny

Tibble Fork Reservoir – 7 miles up American Fork Canyon, turn left at the fork in the road

Winter Activities – Sledding, Showshoeing, Skiing, Snowmobiling, Ice Fishing, building Snowmen, having snowmobile fights and other tomfoolery

Trails go to:  Silver Lake, Silver Lake Flat, Shaffer Fork, Dry Fork, Wasatch Mountain State Park, Cascade Springs, Pine hollow and even Park City

Snowmobiling at Tibble Fork

Riding snowmobiles is a popular and fun activity at Tibble Fork.  It is part of the Wasatch Mountain Snowmobile Area that boasts more than 70 miles of groomed snowmobile trails.  Snowmobile trails from Tibble Fork go as far to Park City and Hobble Creek Canyon.

A popular ride from Tibble Fork to Wasatch Mountain State Park is 14 miles.  From here

View from the trail to Wasatch State Park

snowmobilers can ride on to Park City, Pine Hollow, or come back down the way they came.  Vistas of Timpanogos and other Summits along the Wasatch range are beautiful and frequent along the trail.  The trail gently climbs through Mountain passes as you make your way to Wasatch Mountain State Park.  It is not uncommon to see deer and other wildlife on the trail.

Snowshoeing At Tibble Fork

A winter stream feeds into the Tibble Fork Reservoir

Trails abound for snow shoeing around the Tibble Fork Area.  Many enjoy exploring around the reservior while others will follow some of the snowmobile trails up the canyon.  My favorite snowshoe trail from Tibble Fork reservoir is Silver Lake Flat.   It is a three mile hike from the parking area and is moderately strenuous as you gain elevation along the way.

The walk is definately worth the view from the Flat as you get a gorgeous view of Mount Timpanogos and its surrounding peaks.  Hike Silver Lake Flat in the later afternoon so you catch the evening light on the peaks for a sunset you won’t soon forget.  Just be sure to carry a head lamp with you so you can see on the way down.  If you are looking for a date idea this is a great one.

Skiing

Tibble Fork is a great starting point for both cross country and back country skiing.  The groomed snowmobile trails work great for classic cross country skiers.  Back country Skiers will often head up the road to Wasatch State Park and then peel off to take advantages of some of the great terrain perfect for a little back country adventure.  Like most back country areas, the Tibble Fork Region is prone to avalanche so make sure to take the proper precautions when traveling in avalanche terrain.

Sledding

Children and Families enjoy sledding down the slopes around Tibble Fork Reservoir.  Many

Tibble Fork Reservoir with the North Summit of Timpanogos in the background

of the hills right around the parking area provide great sledding for young and old alike.  A popular sledding hill is located across reservoir where the hill is a little steeper.  It is a bit of an adventure getting to this hill as you have to do a bit of hiking.  Be careful if you decide to cross the ice, making sure it is thick enough.  With warmer weather ice on the resorvior can become very thin and break.

Fishing

While I have never actually gone fishing at Tibble Fork Reservoir, I always see people fishing here.  When the reservoir is frozen over, ice fisherman take command of the reservoir with their augers.  As the winter afternoons begin to warm much of the ice begins to break up and anglers dot the shore line casting into the just opened water.  If you have fished at Tibble Fork drop me a line and let me know how the fishing is.

Getting Here

View west from Tibble Fork Reservoir

Tibble Fork is located about 7 miles up American Fork Canyon.  If you are coming from up north or down south get off I-15 at the Highland Alpine exit and follow the road east and it will eventually lead up to American Fork Canyon.  About 4.5 miles up the canyon take the left fork in the road and in another 2.5 miles you will arrive at Tibble Fork reservoir.  The way is well marked with signs making it very easy to find.

That’s all for this post.  As always feel free to comment below or drop me a line at DustinACook@gmail.com  And don’t forget to go outside and have some fun.

Looking towards Utah lake from the Rock Canyon entrance

Do you see the dragonfly up above?

They call it Rock Canyon for a reason

The canyon is just to the east of the LDS Provo Temple

Tried to get JK to pose but he was too busy sniffing out this little indentation

Acorns!

Fascinating Rock upcroppings and formations

More nearly vertical rocks

Not content with one canyon, we determined to head back up east of Tibble Fork reservoir and hunt down Forest City, an old abandoned mine town that has a grave yard flat I’ve always wanted to see.  We went bouncing and trouncing and trudging for miles.  We reached an old mine repository and sensed we were close to the town.  But no dice.  We will have to try again later.

On top of the world......somewhere up high above Tibble Fork

Old mine repository

Truly a bit of heaven

We trudged several miles on this road

Lots of butterflies, dragonflies and meadow flowers

The long and winding road

Don't try this road without a 4 wheel drive or ATVs

creek

My travelmates for the day, JK and Jeff

To you and yours. We hope you had a great Christmas and a very good upcoming year in 2010!

Jeff, Chance, Kayla and Justin

Jeff and Chris

Chance at the top of the hill

Justin

Kayla

Justin and Kayla

Scene from the Titanic - Sort of

Justin, Kayla and Chance

The crew

I’m excited for the summer season because I love to fish in warmer weather. (I’ve never had strong desires to ice fish Strawberry Reservoir in February!)

I “discovered” Tibble Fork Reservoir up American Fork Canyon last spring when my dad came into town from out of state and we wanted to do some quick fishing…

The discovery was not the decent number of fish you can catch, but the fact that from my Lehi neighborhood to getting my line wet is about 20 minutes! The fishing is good too–early as the sun rises and just before dusk. This past Saturday (June 13, 2009) I pulled in five little rainbow trout in a 1/2 hour window. It was really fun! Most of what I do is catch & release.

The best part is being there with my 80-year-old father and watching him catch and land the trout. After he returned home last summer, I kept going back to Tibble Fork and back again. It has not disappointed this spring either.

There’s something very good about being in a beautiful natural setting, away from mobile phone coverage and the worries of our lives.

In some ways I have become like my dad, able to escape for a moment–especially when there’s a tug on the line!

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Dean Crandall is a licensed REALTOR with Keller Williams Westfield Real Estate based in beautiful Utah County. He has six successful years of helping clients and friends find and sell homes, land and investment properties.

If you are looking for free advice or have questions, please contact Dean directly:

Dean Crandall
801-836-3112

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Copyright® 2009, DeanoDean, Inc. “Up American Fork Canyon…Fishing Tibble Fork—Am I Becoming My Dad?”

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