Hiking from Battle Creek to Grove Creek (2021 Edition)

First hike of the season, not disappointed. The air was still chilly at 7:30a and the sun felt delicious when I wasn’t in shadow. I didn’t start my tracker until I had been hiking for 10 minutes already (I lost about 0.44 miles on the track). My pace was steady and this year I’m in much better shape than last year and didn’t need to take any breaks.

When I dropped into Grove Creek drainage, I decided to stay on trail 151 (Timponeke-Chris Flat) until it joined with 042 (Grove Creek)—I had never done this before. Normally, I would drop down and follow the left trail that saves about a quarter mile with a more direct route to Indian Springs. Trail 151 from this fork follows a Civilian Conservation Corps trench (and contour line) most of the way around until it joins up again with trail 048 (Grove Creek) just below where 048 starts and joins the Timponeke Road.

I had a good clear view of Mahogany Mountain’s east face, and I could see my route I took last year (which I will never do again).

Total time: 3 hours, 3 minutes (I was stopped by a friendly real estate agent who had Important Questions, otherwise I would have been under 3 hours).

Battle Creek trailhead to Grove Creek trailhead track 2021

And the photos:

Looking back to Big Baldy and upper Battle Creek canyon. A spring capture structure at the edge of the shadow near center of picture.

Crossing out of the Battle Creek drainage, looking west. The aspen stand's northern edge abuts Chris Flat to the north.

View of Chris Flat and Mahogany Mountain.

View of Big Baldy to the south, and Battle Creek drainage.

Timponeke-Chris Flat trail no. 151. North Timpanogos on the right.

Chris Flat trail 151 looking back to Big Baldy (left) and the aspen stand at the top of Battle Creek drainage.

Dropping into Grove Creek drainage from Chris Flat

Trail 151 follows a Civilian Conservation Corps trench once you drop into the Grove Creek drainage. The primary (unnamed) trail loses elevation faster and is more direct to Indian Springs.

View of Utah Valley from the top of Grove Creek. Mahogany Moutain on the right. Indian Springs is just visible to the right where the maples and aspen stand merge.

Deer have made a mess of this part of the trail (151) before it merges with trail 048.

View of Mahogany Mountain. Last year I climbed this side to the ridge, picking a route between the shallow slot and the southern (left) ridge. Would not buy again.

Trails merge. Left is 048 (Grove Creek) and right is a shortcut up to 151 (Chris Flat).

Last modified on 2021-05-27