The trail grows steeper
As I hike back towards the west end of the valley, the trail grows steadily steeper. It cuts across a couple of rock faces that drop precipitously. But here the trail is well-cut and well maintained. Those of us who have been walking the mountain for years remember some less well-marked trails that take a steeper but shorter route to the summit; but the forest service has deliberately erased the entrance to most of them. And at each switchback is a sign warning hikers that shortcutting is a crime punishable by brutal fines. Timpanogos is a very popular hike. Usually the trail is full of hikers. This is the quietest day-hike up Timp I can remember. Steve, Thane & I climbed to the Emerald Lake Quonset hut one memorable full-moon night and had the mountain to ourselves, but most days are well-populated. I would dearly love to have a good friend or two along to share this autumn mountain. But absent them, the silence is glorious balm.
The trail is now narrow and overgrown. There is not room to swing my walking poles past my legs on both sides. I frequently snag the poles in the heavy growth, or bang them into my legs. After a bit of experimentation I decide to walk with just one pole. I collapse the other one and strap it onto the back of my pack. Since I've stopped anyway, I snap a photo of the lower portion of the trail as it snakes out of the valley.
Just after I put away my camera I hear voices. Soon I see a line of hikers moving across the trail below me. They are strung out but are moving quickly.