The following text appeared in the Tuesday, June 30, 1953, edition of the Daily Herald.
Plans announced for Rest Cabin at Emerald Lake for Timpanogos Hikers
Plans for construction of a rest cabin were announced Monday during a meeting of committees at Brigham Young University to organize the 42nd annual Timpanogos hike July 18.
Wallace M. Saling, American Fork District Ranger Uinta National Forest, said he hoped some service club could sponsor a drive to raise about $2500 for construction through collection of donations by hikers.
The rest house would be located on the shore of Emerald Lake at the foot of the glacier and about 9000 feet up the slope of Timpanogos. It has been designed in sections so that it could be packed up the trail. Shaped like a Quonset Hut the rest cabin will provide restrooms for men and women as well as a small emergency room heated by a fireplace, where the injured could be carried in case of an accident.
Every precaution is being taken to avoid accidents but when 3000 persons climb a mountain accidents are always possible points out Dr. C. J. Hart, hike chairman.
He said Civil Air Patrol will be asked to provide walkie-talkie and ground-to-air radio communications with a CAP plane circling the mountain every hour. In the event anyone is injured, word could be transmitted downmountain immediately.
Floyd Loveridge, chief of Utah National Park Council, Boy Scouts, told the group that older scouts, experienced in first aid, would be stationed at points along the trail from the foot of the climb to Emerald Lake.
Sheriff Theron S. Hall and Trooper Melvin W. Grant, Utah State Highway Patrol, pledged supervision of traffic and parking to avoid accidents.
The seven-and-a-half mile hike of Timpanogos from Aspen Grove at 6000 foot elevation to the 10,986-foot [sic] summit was described Monday as “not really difficult but not easy either.” Last year 3000, climbers got as far as Emerald Lake, while 1400 managed the final climb up the glacier and were presented with summit badges by the Provo Chamber of Commerce.
Climbing time up to a lofty saddle, which forms the “nose” of the “Sleeping Lady” of the mountain takes anywhere from three to seven hours.
But climbing for speed records instead of solemn contemplation of the mountain’s beauty is discouraged by Gene “Timp” Roberts, retired BYU faculty member who organized the mass hike in 1912. Mr. Roberts, now a resident of Los Angeles, attended the planning luncheon Monday.
He said he first made the climb with a group of faculty members in 1905, but it was not until after he had visited the Alps of Switzerland that he felt the need of acquainting Utahns with the majesty of their own Timpanogos. Early climbers had no trail from Aspen up, and only a drag road from Provo Canyon to Aspen. “Early hikers began with prayer,” said Mr. Roberts. “Hikers were reminded that Genesis says God made the world in six days – but if you listen on the mountain you will know He is still making the world with wind and water erosion.”
