The roar of water cascading over a towering rock face is a rite of spring in the Wasatch. As winter snow melts on the mountain peaks, it courses its way down drainages, rushing over cliffs and carving through twisty canyons en route to the valley below.

I love waterfall season! It is tricky in May to find a route that is both snow-free and with creeks that aren’t overflowing their banks. Battle Creek Falls high above Pleasant Grove is a perfect family waterfall hike.

Tucked just north of Orem up on the flanks of the mountainside, Pleasant Grove stands in the shadow of Mt. Timpanogos. Its canyons dive deep into some of the lesser-traveled terrain in the Wasatch.

Setting out from the Kiwanis Park trailhead onto a broad service road trail, I was staring up at the snow-covered ridgeline of Timp. The systematic chirp-chirp-chirp of a finch pointed the way alongside a relatively slow-running creek. The canyon itself was deep with steep sides reaching upwards to the clear blue sky.

Soon the trail narrowed and the flow of Battle Creek started to increase. The creek itself comes off the steep southwest side of Mt. Timpanogos, behind Emerald Lakes, with multiple forks converging about a half-mile above the falls.

Crossing an old log bridge, I made my way up a slightly steepening path until the falls exposed themselves through the trees. It was a remarkable sight, with two distinct flows rushing down a 50-foot cliff to the rocks below.

It’s an easy walk to the top of the falls where a tiny water flow splits into two for its journey over the edge. It’s also a simple jaunt to the base of the falls for a cool, refreshing experience in the mist. 

I grabbed a spot on a rock to contemplate Mother Nature and to watch kids mesmerized by the falls. The two columns of water formed white pillars in the canyon. The narrow spire on the right was dwarfed by the voluminous flow on the left, reaching out to each other with a chilling mist.

While the journey into Mother Nature is the primary purpose of any hike, I do always love to explore the history? How did this place get its name, Battle Creek?

On a cold, snowy February day in 1849, a heavily armed band of 44 Morman militia under Captain John Scott headed up the canyon in search of natives they had believed were stealing cattle and horses from Brigham Young. There was reportedly confusion on the evidence, but the militia proceeded — eventually massacring much of the native Timpanogos tribe. Bodies were left behind in the snow, while others were taken captive back to Salt Lake City.

Legend has it that one of those spared that day was a young teen who would go on to become Chief Black Hawk, forging his own history battling Utah pioneers a decade or two later.

I could sit watching waterfalls forever. Eventually, I headed back for the short hike to the trailhead. In the distance through the narrow canyon you get a vivid view of Utah Lake and out to Utah’s west desert.

This was the perfect “welcome to spring” hike. It was warm, dry and provided a big reward for a short journey. It’s a perfect spot for a Sunday drive with the family this weekend.

DETAILS

Getting There: The trailhead at Kiwanis Park in Pleasant Grove is about an hour from Park City – about equidistant going down through Salt Lake City or the more scenic route through Provo Canyon to Orem and up to Pleasant Grove. The park is up on the bench above the city, an easy paved drive.

When to Go: This is a busy trail on weekends, so go early if you can.

Trail Use: Bring your dog (on a leash) as the drainage is open to furry friends. 

What to Bring: Much of the hike is exposed to the sun, so water and sunscreen are important.

Trail: The Battle Creek Falls hike is 1.2 miles roundtrip, with a solid trail surface — suitable for a fun family outing. If you want more, just continue on to the Curly Springs Trail and Dry Canyon Trail. The extension takes you up through a meadow that could be good for wildflowers in June.

Dining: Check out the Dolly Llahma in Pleasant Grove for waffles and ice cream — open seven days a week. Or bring a picnic for the trailhead park.