⚡ The Quick Scoop
The Vibe: An incredibly personal, empowering hike right in my own backyard. A challenging climb with massive rewards.
Must See: The 10+ hidden waterfalls pouring through the canyon in the spring, and the massive, awe-inspiring American Flag flown across the cliffs during the 4th of July.
Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (My home canyon will always be a 5 out of 5!)
I have hiked so many incredible places all over the world, but out of every single trail I have ever set foot on, this one holds the most special place in my heart.
This is Grove Creek Canyon. It is not just a trail to me; it is the mountain that gave me my life back. After having children, I struggled physically. It was this specific canyon that gave me the motivation, the physical challenge, and the quiet spiritual support I needed to lose my extra weight. But more importantly, it is where I finally conquered my fears and found my true confidence in the mountains.
👇 Choose Your Path
A Love Letter to an Old Friend
I want to share a special story with you about an old friend that is very special to me. This canyon started its beckoning call to me at a time when I had lost myself and was carrying a lot of excess weight and baggage. It accepted me exactly where I was, but it challenged me to tread its steep path and make it as far as I possibly could.
Day after day, I would return to tread a little farther, and then a little farther still. Each day it would continue to beckon me, and my muscles grew stronger. I was lightening my extra weight and burdens, and the Light was inspiring me and giving me hope.
⏱️ The Timer Challenge
To keep myself motivated, I made a massive goal: I was going to hike this exact trail 100 times. Eventually, my hiking buddy started putting us on a strict timer—we had to reach certain points by a specific minute. It was incredibly tough for me because I am not super fast and I have shorter legs! But it was exactly the push I needed to get stronger and build my stamina.
One day, I found myself at a lookout viewing my land, and I felt so much love for my valley. But this place continued to beckon me, saying, "I have so many more gifts to share with you." So I returned and went farther still. I found steep cliff walls and narrow ledges, and I learned true courage and bravery as I walked its path like a mountain goat way up high.
Yet it still beckoned me to return until I found a hidden treasure: two magnificent four-tiered waterfalls! Then still further it beckoned, and I found myself at a lovely bridge where two waterfalls were merging, and I sat and found profound healing in its peaceful, cool sanctuary.
🏔️ Finding My Wings
Hitting that 100th hike was a massive, emotional victory. It was the dead of winter as I was pushing to hit those final numbers, hiking in the freezing cold, strapped into my microspikes. I have tread this canyon's path over 135 times now. It might not be the most universally famous canyon in the world, but it is my most loved. It has been a place where I could find myself, where I could grow, and where I found the courage to find my dreams—and then the wings to chase them.
I love you, dear friend! Thank you for all the gifts you have given me.
Rattlesnakes, Motorcycles & Worried Hikers
When you hike the same trail 135 times, you are bound to see some crazy things! Because the trail gets tricky and narrow in spots, I've become an unofficial guide for lost or frightened hikers.
🥺 The Worried Stranger
Once, during the snowy winter, I crossed a narrow cliff section in my spikes like it was nothing. I continued up to the bridge waterfall, and when I turned around and came back, there was a poor lady standing there absolutely terrified. Because I was so comfortable navigating the ice with my gear, I had zipped right across, and she had spent the whole time waiting, genuinely thinking I had fallen off the cliff! It was adorable that she cared so much, but I felt so bad for worrying her!
⚠️ Wild Encounters on the Ledge
Then there are the less adorable encounters. I've had to make some serious high jumps and wide skirts around quite a few rattlesnakes sunning themselves on the rocks!
But the craziest moment happened while squeezing in a night hike. We were hiking down the trail with our headlamps when a motorcycle came roaring up behind us on a narrow cliff edge! It is completely illegal and incredibly dangerous to ride up there. When I told him motorcycles weren't allowed, he threw some major F-bombs at me and completely chewed me out! (And yes, I absolutely called the cops on him!)
The Scavenger Hunt of Waterfalls
Most people hike Grove Creek and only see one or two waterfalls. But if you pay close attention, there are actually more than 10 waterfalls hidden in this canyon! It is like a giant, beautiful scavenger hunt.
After you walk past the second cliff outcrop, you have to watch off to the right through the trees. If you are paying attention, you will spot the first set of an incredible 4-tier waterfall cluster! About 15 minutes further up the trail, you will find the upper 4-tier cluster.
💦 The V-Shaped Beauty
When you finally make it to the main bench, you have a beautiful view of a waterfall, but don't stop there! Just around the corner is a cute wooden bridge, and right above it sits a gorgeous, powerful V-shaped double waterfall. It is the absolute perfect spot to stop and take a break, because the temperature drops by about 10 degrees right here from the cool canyon air!
In the spring, when the runoff is at its absolute peak, a massive natural spring bursts from the mountain wall, creating a "Bonus Waterfall" that only rarely shows up. The rest of the year, it is completely dry! I have never seen the waterfalls as full, roaring, and spectacular as they were during the spring of 2019.
🍂 The Blessing of the Scrub Oak
Here is my ultimate local's secret: The absolute best time to see all 10+ waterfalls is in April or early May! Why? Because the scrub oak trees haven't grown their leaves back yet! In the summer, the dense green leaves completely block your view of the lower tiers. But in early spring, the bare branches allow you to see the rushing water perfectly.
The Giant 4th of July Flag
While the waterfalls are the draw in the spring, the summer brings something entirely different and incredibly moving to Grove Creek Canyon. Every year around the 4th of July, an enormous American flag is suspended straight across the massive canyon walls.
It is hosted by an amazing organization called "Follow the Flag," and it draws thousands of people to the canyon to hike up and look at this massive symbol of freedom blowing gently in the mountain breeze.
🔦 Dementors in the Canyon
My absolute favorite way to experience the flag isn't even seeing it during the day—it's seeing it at night! They shine a massive, powerful spotlight onto the flag from below. Because it's so large, it casts this enormous, rippling shadow against the canyon walls that you can see for miles.
Honestly? The flapping black shadow looks exactly like a Dementor from Harry Potter swooping over the mountain! If I ever do a green-screen video here, it will 100% be a scary, epic Harry Potter skit where I am casting a Patronus charm to protect the canyon from the shadow!
Watch the Giant Flag Flying
A Canyon for All Seasons
Because I have hiked this trail over 135 times, I have had the privilege of experiencing it in every possible condition. Grove Creek is truly perfect in every season.
- Spring: The waterfalls are roaring! Watch for the vibrant pink Sweet Peas blooming along the trail in April. If you hike in the morning or evening a few weeks later, you can catch the nocturnal lilies that only open when the sun goes down!
- Summer: Even when it is baking hot down in the valley, you can always count on a cool, refreshing breeze once you pass the second cliff, and a lovely 10-degree temperature drop at the waterfall bridge.
- Fall: Oh my goodness, the red leaves! During one fall hike, we turned around to look down the canyon and our jaws literally dropped to the ground. It was an unexpected, spectacular explosion of crimson red scrub oak. Pictures simply don't do it justice.
- Winter: It is amazingly well-trafficked and highly manageable in the snow—IF you wear microspikes (crampons)! I absolutely love going up to see the massive waterfalls frozen solid in ice. It is a stunning winter wonderland.
Transport Yourself: 360° VR Tours
Walk the steep cliffs and stand right next to the roaring spring waterfalls with me in full 360 degrees!
The Roaring Spring Waterfalls (360° Video)
The Steep Slate Section of the Trail
Click and drag to look around this cool, rocky stretch of the hike!
Winter Wonderland at the Bridge
The Explorer's Guide
🗺️ Adventure at a Glance
- 🏞️ Location: Grove Creek Canyon, Pleasant Grove, Utah
- 🥾 Activity: Steep mountain hiking
- 📏 Distance: 4.5 to 5 miles round trip (to the bridge)
- 📈 Elevation Gain: ~1,700 feet (a fantastic workout!)
- ⏳ Time Needed: About 2 hours
- 🏅 Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (My home canyon!)
Helpful Hints for Your Visit
- Getting There: Drive up 500 North in Pleasant Grove until you hit the trailhead parking lot at the very top.
- Finding the Trail: The hike starts out on a wide, dirt-road-like path. You MUST watch for a smaller trail that splits off and heads UP to the left. Take that trail to begin the massive switchback on the face of the mountain.
- Don't Get Lost: Once you are past the cliffs, there is a trail that heads straight North across the face of the mountain. Do not take it! You want to ensure you are following the main trail that turns EAST into the canyon to find the waterfalls.
- Keep Going: If you continue past the waterfall bridge, the trail completely transforms into a lush, pine-filled forest that feels just like Oregon! It eventually leads to a beautiful spring and meadow right at the base of Mount Timpanogos.
The Grove Creek Scrapbook
A collection of my favorite photos from 135+ hikes up my favorite mountain in the world!
✨ Ask the Trail Guide
Curious about hiking in Utah, the 4th of July flag, or how to train for steep elevation? Ask our AI Guide!
Find Your Mountain
Grove Creek Canyon will forever be the place where I found my strength. It taught me that no matter how steep the climb is, if you just keep putting one foot in front of the other, you will eventually reach the top—and the reward is always worth it. I challenge you to find "your" mountain, set a massive goal, and get out there to conquer it!
Sending Love and Positive Vibes,
Shauna @ VRGetaway
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