Pine Hollow Trail in American Fork Canyon

Throwing it back to the full snow winter season in Utah in December 2021 my friend and I took the pups and headed out for a snowy hike. Pine Hollow Trail in American Fork Canyon starts just before the winter gate, a perfect 4 mile 1,300 ft elevation gain adventure with three doggos. The trail map is available on AllTrails, as always. We opted for microspikes instead of snowshoes, and had an absolute blast in the meadow where the trail splits.

Pine Hollow

This trail starts uphill, and continues that way for the first 2 miles with the steepest part at the beginning. We were very happy to have microspikes during this section. My friend and I himmed and hawwed at taking our snowshoes but ultimately decided since it had been about 3 weeks since a heavy snow microspikes would be perfect. The first quarter mile of the trail is exposed on the face of the mountain, then it becomes wooded with a mix of pine trees. There is one more exposed section between the trailhead and the first meadow. This spot provides stellar views of American Fork Canyon.

We made it to the first meadow and there was probably 2 feet of undisturbed snow. The dogs had an absolute blast running through it and playing.

We had initially planned to do the entire 4 mile lollipop hike but of course things never go as planned. With two pups that dont have double layer coats we noticed Lucy, my friends Dalmatian was getting cold. So we opted to head back down to the cars. About half way down the trail Lucy pretty much refused to continue walking because her paws were so cold. So in true “dog mom in her 20s” style we carried her over our shoulders until we made it back into the exposed parts of the trail. We absolutely raised princesses for dogs, but no-one can say we don’t care about them.

Before you go

This trailhead is accessible year round as it sits just before the winter gate. The trailhead does offer restrooms and has plenty of parking. It is higher up in American Fork Canyon so be sure to double check weather predictions for the mountains so you can go prepared, including avalanche reports for the winter season. The best spot for accurate avalanche reporting is the Utah Avalanche Center. They also offer courses and a ton of other resources.

After a large snowfall the Pine Hollow Trail offers some amazing snowshoeing, and the trailhead is also popular for accessing the canyon road beyond the winter gate. The NFS grooms the road for crosscountry skiiers. On a separate day I ventured past the winter gate with family and saw skiers and snow bikers.

American Fork Canyon is managed by the National Forest Service and has a $6 day-use fee. This canyon does honor the interagency/national parks annual passes. Another option is a $45 annual pass specific to the canyon, similar to Mill Creek Canyon. All the trails in American Fork Canyon are dog friendly and off leash (except those within the Timpanogos Cave National Monument).

Enjoying all of Winter and my adventures? Check out more hiking and trips we have taken on our archives page! And more hikes across Utah are also featured here! Other hikes in American Fork Canyon we have completed previously include the highly trafficked Stewart Falls hike.