Cool Spots on the Wasatch-Cache

Here are some of the great places to visit on the Wasatch-Cache National Forest to see wildflowers.

Wasatch Mountains

Albion Basin

Directions - On the east side of Salt Lake City take I-215 to the 6200 South offramp. Drive south following the roadsigns to Alta Ski Resort. Drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon to the end of the paved road. Continue on the unpaved road until you get to the very end parking lot near Albion Basin Campground. The last mile or two of this road are in Albion Basin. From here you can either take one of the several easy to moderate difficulty hikes or simply view the display from the window of your car. The unpaved portion of the road is very well maintained and easily accessed by passenger vehicle. Parking is limited and during peak times the number of vehicles allowed in the area may be controlled. Get there early and enjoy a morning walk among some of the most incredible wildflower displays in northern Utah.

Best time to enjoy: Late July and Early August Provide the best viewing (depending on the year's moisture).

Bear River Range

Tony Grove Lake

Directions - From Logan, Utah drive northeast on US Highway 89 about 15-16 miles to the Tony Grove turnoff. From here drive about 5-6 miles to the end of the road at Tony Grove Lake. Best time to see wildflowers is usually mid-July through early to mid-August. There is a trailhead that takes you to either the Mt. Naomi Wilderness or to White Pine Lake. In addition, there is trail that circles Tony Grove Lake. All trails provide terrific wildflower viewing opportunities.

Best time to enjoy: July through early August provide the best viewing.

Uinta Mountains

Whitney

Directions - From Kamas, Utah drive east on the Mirror Lake Highway over Hayden Pass and north toward Evanston, Wyoming on State Highway 150. About 8 miles north of Hayden Pass take the turnoff to Whitney Reservoir (west side of the road). This road is unpaved but is maintained for most passenger vehicles up to Whitney Reservoir (about 5-6 miles). There is good wildflower viewing along the way as well as in the area surrounding the Reservoir. The best wildflower viewing, however, is near Moffit Peak and is accessible by high clearance vehicle (it is always best to travel when the roads are dry to avoid damage to the road and to keep from getting stuck. a few of the roads off the main travel routes can get a little ugly in bad weather).

Best time to enjoy: July through early August provide the best viewing.

Bonneville Basin Deseret Peak

Directions. From Salt Lake City, take Interstate 80 west to the Grantsville Exit (Burmester Road). Drive south approximately 6 miles and turn right (west) on Main Street in Grantsville. A few blocks to the west is a small Forest Service sign on the south side of Main Street. Turn south (left) and continue on this road approximately 5-6 miles to the South Willow turnoff. At the end of the South Willow Canyon road is a trailhead into the Deseret Peak Wilderness. A quiet oasis west of Salt Lake City in the Stansbury Mountains, Deseret Peak Wilderness provides a wonderful array of wildflowers in the summer months. Deseret Peak is over 11,000 ft. in elevation with wildflowers along the trail often growing with aspen and sagebrush, but also forming wildflower communities at higher elevations.

Best time to enjoy: July through early August provide the best viewing.

Other Outstanding Sites

You may also want to head south to the Uinta National Forest to see specitacular wildflower displays on Mt. Timpanogos. For incredible fall colors visit Logan Canyon or the Mirror Lake Highway from Kamas to Evanston or visit the nearby Nebo Loop on the Uinta National Forest.