Overshadowed by its National Park neighbors, Cedar Breaks National Monument is a beautiful small monument. The impressive monument sits at over 10,000 feet and has an incredible amphitheater that makes up the canyon. It’s a similar formation in many ways to Bryce Canyon however without all the sheer scale of Hoodoos however.
There are several trails throughout the park with quite a few that offer views over the amphitheater. The Alpine Pond trail gives you one of the more diverse trails within the National Monument. This trail gives vistas, forested views, an alpine pond, and fields. It’s one of the top trails if your time is short in the park.
About the Alpine Pond Trail
Distance: 2.2 miles | Type: Loop | Avg. Time: 45 mins | Difficulty: Moderate | Dog Friendly: No
One of the top hikes in Cedar Breaks, Alpine Pond is a perfect microcosm of the National Monument. Here, you can get beautiful views and explore the forested areas, an alpine lake, flowers, environmental devastation, and more.
The hike is a short loop with a lower and upper track. You can take either way and then return on the opposite. There is even a cut-through close to the pond if you want a shorter trail. The upper track is flatter and the easier of the parts to walk on.
Note: The entire hike and the park, is above 10,000 ft. Be sure to check on the weather and be cognizant if you are not acclimated to the elevation.
Alpine Pond Trail Trailhead & Parking
There are two trailheads for the Alpine Pond Trail in Cedar Breaks National Monument. The trail is a loop so you can easily start at either. I would pick whichever has parking.
Coming from the south, the first one you come across is at the Chessman Ridge Overlook. The trailhead starts at the north side of the parking lot.
The second trailhead is about 1 mile north of the road to Chessman Ridge. On your left, you’ll see a small parking lot with a yurt. The trailhead is next to the yurt.
Best Time to Do the Hike
The best time to hike in the park is summer through early fall. Generally July – early October the weather is best and you’ll have good conditions in the park. Fall in particular is a perfect time to visit with the changing leaves.
Given the park’s altitude, the main road through the park closes between November and May. You can still access the park, however, you won’t be able to drive up to the trailheads. Also, conditions will be difficult this time of year.
The Alpine Pond Trail Hike
You can start the park as stated above from either trailhead. For purposes of this guide, we start from the Chessman Overlook Parking.
Go to the northside of the parking. You’ll see a small sign indicating the direction to the Alpine Pond.
You’ll head along a fairly flat area towards some trees. About 0.2 miles into the hike, you’ll find an intersection between the upper and lower trails. You can go either loop but I’ll take you left towards the lower trail.
Note: The upper trail is flatter and easier but doesn’t pass the pond.
The lower trail is a bit rocky and may even have snow depending on what time of year you are visiting. You’ll also get a few opportunities for some breaks in the trees to get some views over the cedar break amphitheater.
After another 0.5 miles, you’ll come to another intersection. On your right, you’ll see a trail and stairs that leads up to the upper trail. This is a shortcut if you want to make a smaller loop. If you do decide to do this, just go a bit further and check out the lake as well.
After the intersection, you’ll come up to the Alpine Pond. It’s a fairly small pond, and when I was there, it was shallow and full of algae.
From here the trail continues along the left side of the pond. It’s not a very large pond, but do be careful as it can be muddy here.
From here the trail continues back into the woods. Keep an eye out for the dead trees in this trail area. You’ll notice some of the devastation from beetle infestation in the park. It’s pretty sad to see.
From the end of the pond until the intersection with the upper trail is about 0.3 miles. You’ll be in the forest through this time and it’s a pretty easy hike.
At the intersection, if you head left you’ll be at the other trailhead and yurt/parking lot. Right, will put you on the upper trail.
The trail here is pretty easygoing. I found it mostly flat and could move quickly along the upper trail. After about 0.5 miles you’ll see the intersection with the shortcut again. After another 0.5 miles, you’ll be back to the trailhead and parking lot
Tips & FAQs
- Wear boots or trail shoes that you don’t mind getting muddy. The conditions can be wet often on this trail.
- Park at whichever trailhead has parking available. In general, though, Cedar Breaks National Monument sees a fraction of other parks in the area.
- Consider micro-spikes if you are hiking early or late in the season.
- If you want an easier hike, consider taking the shortcut. There’s not much new to see after the pond anyway.
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