The Alpine Pond Loop is one of the mellowest trails in Cedar Breaks National Monument. It is a short forest walk with a unique algae-tinted pond and a few fleeting glimpses of the Cedar Breaks canyon along the lower trail. We hiked it counterclockwise from the North Access, added a quick detour to Chessman Ridge Overlook (our favorite viewpoint), and wrapped everything up in about two hours.
If you want a relaxed walk through high-altitude forest, this trail does the job. If you are chasing big canyon views, Spectra Point is the better call.
Trail Snapshot
- Distance: ~2 miles officially (our Garmin logged 3, likely from tree interference)
- Elevation Gain: ~200 feet
- Time: 1–2 hours (longer with photo stops)
- Route Type: Loop
- Terrain: Hard-packed dirt, roots, rocks, shaded forest, meadow section
- Fee: Cedar Breaks entrance fee (National Park Pass accepted)
- Season: Generally best July – September, depending on snow melt (Road is closed Nov-May)
- Trail Start: North Access point or South Access Point
- Parking/Directions: The North Access lot is paved, well marked, and holds around 16 cars. Click here for google map directions. The South Access is also paved, slightly bigger (around 21 cars), but is often busier due to the easy access to the Chessman Ridge Overlook. Location on google maps here.
- Our Conditions: Clear skies, light breeze, 78–82°F, weekday with moderate visitors
Route Overview (What to Expect)
We took the lower trail first (counterclockwise), visited Alpine Pond, made a quick detour to Chessman Ridge Overlook (the real star of the day), and returned via the upper trail. The loop is well marked, including a connector near the pond if you are running low on time or want to shorten the hike.
Difficulty
This is one of the most beginner-friendly trails in the park. The climbs are gentle, the footing is easy to navigate (even with a few rocks and tree roots), and the route is short enough for most visitors. We saw people of all ages on the trail the day we were there.
Footing & Terrain
Mostly hard-packed dirt with occasional rocks and roots. The trail is narrow single-track almost the entire way, so passing slower groups depends on cooperation more than space.
Shade vs. Sun
Most of the lower trail is shaded by pines. The upper section near the road crosses a more open meadow and gets warmer midday. It seemed manageable despite low 80s temperatures the day we hiked.
Wildflowers & Wildlife
We saw plenty of purple, pink, and yellow wildflowers, along with a surprising amount of wildlife: bright blue dragonflies, bumblebees drifting between blooms, butterflies, and several birds perched in the trees.
Unfortunately, a large group had taken over the shoreline while we were there. Their kids caught a lizard and were “playing” with it until an adult finally intervened. Another adult wandered over while we were trying to photograph a dragonfly and scared it off immediately. And because apparently it wasn’t chaotic enough, we also saw someone leave with a fistful of wildflowers, which is unfortunate given how slowly plants grow at 10,000 feet and how much these areas depend on visitors leaving things as they find them.
Other than the human chaos, the pond is lovely.
Views & Best Stops
Alpine Pond Loop Trail – Lower
This is where you will find your only chances at seeing the Cedar Breaks canyon. The openings are brief, but they give you a small peek at the colorful cliffs.
Alpine Pond
The pond is small but pretty with green water, tall grass, and a tangle of fallen logs around the edges. When it’s quiet, it’s an easy place to relax for a bit and watch dragonflies, bees, and birds move through the area. The algae gives the water its green tint, and you can often see submerged branches just below the surface.
Chessman Ridge Overlook
A quick detour from the loop and easily the best viewpoint in the park. If you want that classic Cedar Breaks canyon panorama, this is the stop.
Alpine Pond Loop Trail – Upper
No canyon views here. It stays closer to the road and transitions into a more open meadow.
Route Options
- Full Loop: Best if you want a mix of forest, pond, and meadow.
- Pond & Back: For a short out-and-back, visit the pond via the lower trail and return the same way for shade.
- Mini Loop from Chessman: Start at Chessman, dip down toward the pond, and use the connector to return, a compact version of the best parts.
- Clockwise vs. Counterclockwise: Makes little difference, but the lower trail is where the brief canyon views are.
Trail Map
Here’s a map of our route according to Garmin with a few photo stops along the way. You can also click here to view directly on Google Maps.
Our takeaways
The Alpine Pond Loop is a pleasant, low-effort walk through a shaded forest with a few surprising highlights. It’s not the most dramatic hike in Cedar Breaks, that crown goes to Spectra Point, but it’s a great way to spend an hour or two, stretch your legs, and enjoy some easy nature time at 10,000 feet.
We probably wouldn’t repeat it, but we’re glad we did it once.
What We Liked
- Forest shade
- Wildflowers in full bloom
- Birds and dragonflies everywhere
- Quick and easy
- The pond (when it’s quiet)
What We Didn’t Like
- The pond is popular and can attract large groups
- Narrow trail makes passing awkward
- Upper trail feels adjacent to the highway
- Very limited canyon views unless you add the Chessman detour
Explore Nearby
Hike Spectra Point, Ramparts and the Bartizan
A dramatic high-elevation trail along the Cedar Breaks rim with sweeping drop-offs, vivid hoodoo formations, and cool alpine air above 10,000 feet.