Skipper Bay Trail

Overview

Distance: ~ 3 miles (round trip)

Elevation Gain: 4493 ft to 4493 ft =  ~ 0 ft
Time: 1-2 hours (round trip - depends on how fast you find the caches!)

Date: June 5, 2012

How to get there from BYU: 

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Trail:

Description:

The Skipper Bay Trail is actually part of the Provo River Parkway Trail but you have to walk along the road   a little to the northwest to get to this portion so it's not readily obvious. It a beautiful trail to go down and easy enough for just about everyone. There's a small parking lot right by the gate also so you can drive right to it. Also, it's just outside the fence of Utah Lake State Park so there's not fee to access it.

Parking

Start Gate

Utah Lake State Park just the other side of the fence

There were great views in all directions though it was a bit hard to see the lake through the trees. Utah Lake was to the west and the Despain Cattle Ranch was to east with. Looking out over the ranch I could see 6 of Utah County's "Seven Peaks" (all except Lone Peak due to trees).

Despain Cattle Ranch

Hard to get a good view of the lake most of the time

Mt. Timponogos

Spanish Fork Peak, Santaquin Peak, and Mt. Nebo in the distance

There is lots of wildlife about. We came in the morning and the birds were singing their hearts out. We also came across some small snakes, ducks, and of course some cattle :-). There are other critters out there to be found so keep an eye open. Later in the season I'm sure that you want to bring plenty of bug repellent due to all the standing water alongside the trail.

Yellow-Headed Blackbird - one of the more vocal birds

Towards the end there's a covered picnic table for those that want to bring food or just take a rest before heading back. At the very end of the trail the road simply ends at a small waterway going into the lake. Be sure to go all the way and get the cache at the end of the trail.

End of the trail

Probably don't want to go any further

Utah Lake from trail end

 There are plenty of caches to find along the way (even a mystery cache to be found). There were a couple that needed maintenance when I came by but hopefully that will be remedied in the near future. Most of the caches are small pill bottles with not much room for trading anything much larger than a quarter but worth the search nevertheless.

Looking back on the trail

My son waiting for the GPS to lock onto satellites

Other Links:

Skipper Bay Trail (Utah County)
Utah Birds
Video