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The Wasatch range runs north-south for over 130 miles and provides an impressive backdrop for the main populated area in Utah; from Ogden through Salt Lake City to Provo and beyond the mountains rise very steeply from the flat desert plain, with several peaks over 11,000 feet. One of the most interesting regions is just northeast of Orem, centred on Mount Timpanogos, the second highest summit in the range; attractions include the Timpanogos Cave National Monument, several spectacular canyons with a very narrow, winding scenic drive (The Alpine Loop), natural features like Cascade Springs and Bridal Veil Falls, and numerous opportunities for hiking, camping, climbing, fishing and ATV use.
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Mount Timpanogos is separated from adjacent peaks in the Wasatch range by two deep, west-aligned canyons; American Fork and Provo. Highway 92 (known as 11000 North Street in town) follows the northernmost of these, besides American Fork Creek for several miles then heads south, round the far side of the mountains through the Uinta National Forest to the Provo River where it joins US 189 between Provo and Heber City. There are 2 paved side roads heading further west, plus a network of unpaved tracks, ATV routes and hiking trails. In 2000, an entrance fee of $3 per vehicle was introduced for the Alpine Loop.
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