Saturday, June 24, 2017

Battle Creek Falls - Runoff

Battle Creek Falls is a great waterfall at the top of a short moderate trail in Pleasant Grove Utah. It is known for being a fantastic twin waterfall. However we have done it 3 times before and it was always a single waterfall. We had a really good winter this year, and the rivers are flowing really high so I thought I would give it another try. I am super glad we did, because while not exactly a twin waterfall, the secondary waterfall was at least flowing. From my experience, to see the full twins, go late May, early June after a good winter.

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Quick Details:

Length: About .6 miles to the Falls, 1.2 round trip.
Difficulty: DR3 Nice wide well packed path. Somewhat quick elevation gain, but not too bad.
Elevation Gain: About 630 ft.
Restroom: No. I have seen porta-potty’s here in the past, not sure if there was some construction of if they bring one in sometimes.
Dogs? Allowed, leashed

To Get Here:

Head south on i15. Take exit 275 for pleasant grove, and head east. Turn right on state St. turn left on 200 S. Follow that all the way up until the road turns into a dirt parking lot next to Kiwanis Park.

The Trail.

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The parking lot offers a decent view of Utah Lake.

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Heading up the trail. You can see it is a nice wide path.

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Nice view of Mount Timpanogos.

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Fun rock formations.

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About 2/3’s of the way up you come across the diversion pool (the creek is diverted for irrigation and is dry below here).

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The creek.

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Introducing our new hiking buddies: Mickey (left) and Mia (right). We’ve been slowly taking them on some trails to see how they do, and so far so good.

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This is a great spot to let your pups cool down.

After letting them play in the water for a few minutes we decided to continue up.

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The wide open trail thins out a bit, and offers more shade for a little while now.

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The creek from the bridge. Getting close but the last push is the steepest part and is back in the sun.

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Little cave.

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Landslide. I don’t remember this being here.

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You can’t miss the turn off for the waterfall. And if you do, you will realize it pretty quickly. The side trail down looks steeper than it is, I have never had any trouble going up or down it.

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Well, not exactly a twin waterfall, but at least the secondary waterfall is going this time. I think I am about a week or 2 too late this year. But, either way, it is super pretty.

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With the creek below. I just love the color of the rocks.

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Little extended exposure.

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And me, to show size.

After relaxing and enjoying the waterfall, and the cool mist for a while, we decided to head on back.

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Lovely view down the canyon with Utah Lake.

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The dogs explore the little cave.

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Mickey plays in the creek below the bridge.

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Pretty wildflowers.

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Back down to the diversion pond.

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Neat old tree.

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Utah Lake again.

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From just above the parking lot.

I still really enjoy this trail. Even though I have yet to see the full twin falls, it is a fun hike. But, there is not a lot of shelter from the sun so in the warm months, I recommend getting an early start. We got a little later start and it was a little warmer on the way down than I would have liked but not too bad today. However, I think it is time to start moving up in elevation. This is a popular trail with lots of people, but we actually got a moment alone with the waterfall so that was great. Going with 9 out of 10 squirrels today.

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As for difficulty. as I mentioned it is mostly full sun, and there is the steep section towards the end. But overall, it is short, and not too bad. DR3.

Dogs are allowed, leashed. Please clean up after your furry friends.

Copy of Copy of dogsyes