Rock Canyon

Overview

Distance: ~ 7 miles (round trip)

Elevation Gain: 5124 ft to 7165 ft =  ~ 2041 ft
Time: 3-5 hours (round trip)

Date: June 7, 2012

How to get there from BYU:  

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Trail:

Description:


The Rock Canyon trail has some of the most beautiful views around. The rocks rise up in great cliffs and swirls on both sides.

The trailhead

The cliffs near the trailhead are a favorite of climbers.

Going up!

Don't let go

The trail is fairly rocky the entire way though can be a bit gravelly in parts near the beginning. Be sure to bring good shoes for walking over rocks.

A gravelly section

However, without stumbling over the rocks, be sure to look up. There is a lot to see along the way.

Sqauw Peak

Looking up towards Y-mountain

Mountains have layers

A cool swirl in the rocks

More impressive cliffs

The trail follows along a small stream. I've never seen it flow down as far as the trail head but you generally reach it within the first mile -- depending on the time of year. It must have been fairly impressive in the past though considering all of the cement work near the trail head.

Give said the little stream

A little waterfall along the way

 Along the way you'll see evidence of an old aqueduct. It has since been replaced with pipes running under the trail. Every once in a while you'll see the pipes stick out and sometimes you can even hear the water running under the trail.

A portion of the aqueduct that has broken near this bend in the rock

There are 5 bridges along the way -- all before the Squaw Peak trailhead. Most of the time the stream is low enough that they aren't really needed though. They were just replaced earlier this spring and are in very good shape.

Bridge 2

bridge 3

In between the 4th and 5th bridges there's a side trail to a cave which then joins back up to the main trail. The cave doesn't go very far in but is fun to check out nevertheless. Found bats in it once, so I've named it the Bat Cave.

Bridge 4 - The trail to the Bat Cave is to the left

The 5th bridge - the Bat Cave trail joins back up on the other side of the bridge

No, I don't think Batman lives here

 Not many people make it past the Squaw Peak trail head. After that point the trail is fairly quiet though there are still some great views.

The Sqauw Peak trailhead

I think there used to be a sign here but I'm not sure what for

The 2nd of the two fountains. Drink up

 Shortly after the Squaw Peak trailhead there's another fork. A less well-maintained trail heads to the south. I've named this trail the Klimeck Trail after an old roommate that first explored it with me and helped set me up with my now wife. There's a largish rock right at the fork with some neat fossils in it too that he was always on the look-out for too. The Klimeck trail connects up with the Slide Canyon and Y-Mountain Peak trails to the south.

Klimeck Trail

Further down the trail the river diverts to the south and you'll come to a small switchback that takes you up to a beautful overlook. From here you can get a great view of the stream coming down from the south, as well as Provo Peak and it's neighbors.

Looking back to Provo

Looking towards the south. Rock Canyon stream below, Provo Peak above

Close-up of the stream

Looking up the canyon followed by the Klimeck trail and back of Y-mountain

Shingle Mill and Freedom Peak to the East

Not long after this view point you'll begin to pass through meadows. The grass can be tall and wet and I saw some nettles along this last part of the trail so be sure to wear some decent pants. The meadows come right before the Rock Canyon Campground. I've never seen anyone at this campground before but the facilities look nice and it appears to be reservable online.

The meadows before the camp

Entering Rock Canyon Campground

 There are some lovely views of the peaks above the campground

Cascade Mountain

Shingle Mill Peak on the left and Freedom Peak on the right

Follow the 060 trail signs through the camp. It will eventually lead you out the other side till it goes back into the woods.

Back into the woods

This part of the trail goes for about a quarter of a mile to where I'm placing the end of this trail and the beginning of the Dry Fork trail -- though technically they are both labeled trail 060.

End of Rock Canyon and beginning of Dry Fork Canyon

Geocaching


There are quite a few geocaches along this part of the trail though many of them can be challenging to get to. It can also be a bit tricky getting good satellite reception in the narrow part of the canyon.

Other Links:
Rock Canyon Campground