Sundance Mountain Resort is a summer blockbuster. Tucked under the afternoon shadow of iconic Mount Timpanogos, this rustic chic haunt is not only open all summer but also offers more unique experiences than just about anywhere in Utah. From sprays to springs to spelunking and more, outdoors enthusiasts will leave reenergized while reimagining what a summer vacation at a ski resort can be.
The summer offerings at Sundance are plentiful. Outdoor musical productions, lift-served mountain biking, and hiking, including Stewart Falls, the spectacular 200’ waterfall visible from the base, shouldn’t be missed. Add to that list the ZipTour, a three-hour, breathtaking guided adventure soaring from summit to base, providing the greatest vertical drop in the U.S.
All this fun requires fuel, and the resort’s renowned dining options, including The Foundry Grill and The Owl Bar, are fully open and feature seating that spills onto the creekside patio and live music on the weekends. Those staying in one of Sundance’s luxe cottages can then relax at The Springs, its new, exclusive outdoor pool, hot tub and sauna retreat.
But there’s so much more.
Part of the Alpine Scenic Loop (Hwy 92; $3 toll required after BYU Summer Camp), Sundance welcomes visitors to one of Utah’s most extraordinary routes to nature, minutes from a metropolitan area. Scenic drives, hiking and biking trails wind through the Uinta National Forest’s dense groves of aspens and conifers, leading to unexpected geological and recreational finds.
Springs!
The first stop is Cascade Springs, a series of naturally terraced pools, sitting astride American Fork Canyon and spilling down the Wasatch Back toward Heber Valley. Columbines and other wildflowers dot the many raised and accessible boardwalk paths erected atop the springs, accompanied by the trickle of the living waters bubbling up from the mountain’s depths. This is a perfect introduction to an area of the Canyon often overlooked by visitors, gently immersing them in summer’s sights and sounds. From Sundance, drive north on Hwy 92 for five miles. Turn right onto Cascade Springs Scenic Drive, continuing five miles up the road to the Springs.
Sprays!
More alpine waters can be explored at Tibble Fork Reservoir, a 22-acre freshwater lake popular with local paddleboarders, kayakers, fishers and those who just want to sit on the sandy shore on a warm summer day. From Sundance, take Hwy 92 for 12 miles. Turn right on Hwy 144 for two miles until you see the reservoir parking on the right.
For a quieter and much more remote launch, head to Silver Lake Flat Reservoir, a hidden gem high above Tibble Fork. To get there, continue past Tibble Fork and turn left on West Granite Flat Campground Road. About .7 miles, turn right onto Silver Lake Road and drive 2.4 (unpaved, steep) miles. Although four-wheel drive is not required, extra care should be taken during and after inclement weather.
Spelunking!
For those who prefer to be high and dry, experience one of the most unique tours in Utah, Intro to Caving at Timpanogos Cave National Monument. For some, the hardest part is getting to the cave itself. Situated at the end of a half-mile paved trail, the cave entrance is perched 1,092 feet above the Visitor Center, putting it at 6,730’ above sea level.
Bring good walking shoes and lots of water, as summer temperatures on the trail can belie its alpine clime. Aspiring spelunkers, however, will be rewarded inside as cave temperatures average 45 degrees year-round (sweater or light jacket recommended).
Park rangers will help participants gear up with headlamps and pads and prepare them for a guided ninety-minute walk, scramble, and climb into a cordoned-off section of Hansen Cave. Advance purchase tickets are required ($22 per person). Gloves and closed-toe shoes are required. The minimum age is 14, and 14-15-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult.
For a summer vacation set in the peace of a national forest, where the quiet is broken through the wails of a red-tailed hawk or the woohoos of a ziplining mom, both soaring overhead, Sundance Mountain Resort is your basecamp for Alpine Scenic Loop adventure.
