Alpine Pond Trail - Cedar Breaks National Monument

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Cedar Breaks National Monument

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Alpine Pond Trail - Cedar Breaks National Monument

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 2.2 miles / 3.5 km
Duration: 1-3 hours

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Overview: One of two maintained trails inside the Cedar Breaks National Monument the Alpine Pond Trail is a beautiful walk through an ecosystem that seems out of place next to the desert view of the amphitheater. Designed as an educational trail, a colorful brochure is available for purchase $1.00 based on the honor system at the trailhead. I found the brochure along with the numbered markers to be both informative and yes, educational, of this high elevation subalpine forest (Note: I paid the $1.00).

On a sad note, the brochure also includes a picture of this amazing place BEFORE the beetles destroyed all the magnificent Spruce trees surrounding the pond.

Tips: Bug Spray! Fly's, nat's and mosquito's are common.
Elevation! You are hiking at 10,000 feet, respect this fact and pay attention to any altitude sickness. You can expect to be winded, but any unexplained severe headaches should cause you to seek lower elevation immediately.
Family Friendly Hike but use caution, this is a maintained dirt trail (complete with rocks , roots and mud).
View points exist on the edge of a crumbling eroding amphitheater, keep away from the very edge. And keep children close.
Take plenty of water (drink more at higher elevations) and energy snacks
This trail can be accessed from either the Chessman Parking Area or the Alpine Pond Parking Area.
A shortened version of this trail is available from both parking lots by a connecting trail between the upper and lower trails at the Alpine Pond.

Points of Interest

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Alpine Pond Trailhead

Located 5 miles away from the visitor center is the Alpine Pond Trailhead. The parking lot is clearly marked and a prominent Yurt is easily seen from the road.

The trail information sign is located next to the Yurt and a nice trail brochure is located in the area. The brochures are $1.00 and I think well worth the money to take along with you on this hike.

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Lower Trail

Start by taking the lower trail, this will allow you to follow the numbering system of the brochure. Immediately you will recognize the alpine feel of this wonderful environment. Your first visit is the Rock Apartment. If you are hiking during the heat of the day, Marmots should be visible sunning themselves on the rocks.

Education continues as you read about Lichens and their role in breaking down rocks into soil.

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Dead trees and a Beetle Epidemic

It becomes painfully obvious that a Beetle Epidemic hit this area. Most of the large Spruce Trees are dead and waiting to play their role in nature's cycle. Because National Parks and Monuments are protected areas, no action was taken or will be taken regarding these trees.

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Lupine Wildflower

The distinctive wildflower known as the Lupine grows in abundance along the trail. This beautiful wildflower's name "comes from the Latin word lupus, meaning "wolf"."

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Alpine Pond

This high mountain alpine pond is peaceful and a great place to sit and relax (provided you used bug spray).

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Shortcut to Upper Trail

Immediately after the Alpine Pond, a shortcut will take you to the Upper Trail and back to the trailhead, making this a 1 mile loop. If you desire to continue, follow the trail downhill (following the stream leaving the Alpine Pond).

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Amphitheater

The trail soon leads you to a view point overlooking Cedar Breaks majestic amphitheater. The towering pinnacles of Limestone are called Hoodoos and this view is very different from the view at the visitor center.

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Chessmen Parking Area

This trail can be accessed from both the Alpine Pond parking area or the Chessmen parking area. As a loop hike proceed to the Upper Trail.

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Easy walking back to trailhead

The upper trail is easy walking along the relative level edge of the Markagunt Plateau. Beautiful views of wildflowers, Quaking Aspen trees and occasional glimpses back into the Amphitheater, make this an enjoyable place to visit.

Pictures in this guide taken by: steve625

How does this work?

As an educational trail the brochure is exceptionally well done with easy to read thoughts and beautiful pictures, a "must do" hike if you are trying to teach young children about the fragile nature of ecosystems. The dead trees give you an opportunity to teach a valuable lesson; that man isn't always responsible for the bad things that happen to the environment. The trail is easy to navigate and the views into the amphitheater are inspirational.
Visited on Jul 14, 2011

by steve625 on Jul 17, 2011