Lower Mill Canyon

Closed for the season! See you next year!

Went up to check on the status, gate is still closed for the season. You can get to Tibble Reservoir but are unable to start this trail at all yet. Reservoir is currently frozen, views of the peaks around it are beautiful with the snow on them. Campgrounds on the road up to the reservoir are currently closed (gates) for the season still as well.

This trail was a lot of fun for our family of 4 in the Tacoma. We have a small 2" lift and slightly oversized tires (~32") and found this trail to be pretty easy. No scraping whatsoever even though about 85% of the trail is rocks (not gravel, rocks anywhere from 8-16"). Unfortunately on a Saturday afternoon the trail was extremely busy with other road vehicles and tons of ATVs and UTVs. Mostly there are plenty of areas to pass, but it's very easy to encounter another vehicle in a narrow section that requires getting off camber or close to the cliff edge to make room. There aren't a ton of blind corners though, so just try to be aware of what is ahead of you and make note of wide areas that you can use. I had hoped it would be cooler this time of the year, but it was still 85-90F even at the end of the trail so we ended up keeping our windows up most of the time and using the AC. Overall I feel the rating was justified. I saw a number of AWD vehicles on this trail so it's definitely not too hard, but smaller/stock SUVs and trucks are likely to scrape in the many rock gardens without extremely good tire placement.

Trail is insanely bumpy, went up this morning and was doing 2-8 mph. There are some midsized rocks but it was just common rocks that made it borderline not fun. Aired down my tires on my JLU and still was not pleasant. Once you get near to mile 3 and closer to Mary Ellen Trailhead it gets good. Went over to Midway and the Baker Fork trail was great fun. Mid 70's on June 19th.

We went in our Ford ranger. It was our first off roading experience in our new truck. It was pretty bumpy. The canyon was beautiful driving up and the fall leaves smell beautiful. This trail in my opinion is likely best used with a atv or four wheeler. It was a quick adventure. We grabbed the kids after school and went for a quick ride.

Good area for camping, getting to other trails. Rocky and bumpy but fine in stock vehicle.

Fun trail, suitable for stock SUVs and Subarus. Good access to other AF trails. There's only a couple rocky switchbacks and one tight spot that is only one vehicle wide that made for tight passing, the rest is just a dirt road. We found a minivan most of the way up that was having a tough time on the trail (scraping underside). We asked if they were OK and they said they were fine, just out for a scenic drive. So yes, this is possible in a minivan if you're willing to scrape everything under your vehicle.

Nothing spectacular. This trail is really only used because it has camping and provides access to the more fun trails in the area. Great escape from the summer heat though.

***Update 6/24/17*** There is currently a fire at the mouth of American Fork Canyon that has prompted the closure of the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway and therefore access to all trails in the area. Check back for updates on reopening.

***FIRE RESTRICTION*** http://fox13now.com/2016/07/24/new-fire-in-american-fork-canyon-prompts-evacuation-of-campgrounds/ All campgrounds and trails in American Fork Canyon have been evacuated and are closed until further notice. Fire during in steep terrain at the intersection of Major Evans Gulch and the North Fork of the canyon. Keep out of the area. Also, any drones in the area will be taken down immediately. Drones are strictly prohibited within any area of a fire. Utah law states fines and prison time. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/utah-votes-let-authorities-disable-drones-near-wildfires-n609041