Alpine Sliding Rock - Hiking & Swimming

Alpine Sliding Rock
aka: Alpine Water Slide

Wasatch Mountains
Hiking & Swimming

Nothing beats an old fashion swimming hole on a hot summer day, except for an old fashion swimming hole with it's own waterslide. This freak of nature is the highlight of any sizzling hot day.

The answer to the first question that everyone asks is "No, it does not hurt your butt."

NOTE: The Alpine Sliding Rock is located on private property and access is currently closed. Large No Trespassing signs now sit at the entrance to the property. The information provided here is for historical purposes only.

Circle of Friends:
The Alpine Sliding Rock is part of the "Circle of Friends" program. Members of the "Circle of Friends" have access to more specific information, explicit route information, GPS waypoints, trailhead location and detailed maps. If you would like more information on joining the "Circle of Friends" visit the sign up page.

"Circle of Friends"

All the fun ends in a cool clear plunge pool

General Information:
The Alpine Sliding Rock is a great way for the family to spend a hot summer day. This adventure requires short hike to a small swimming hole and natural waterslide in the Wasatch Mountains. The swimming hole is popular with the local community and it can be crowded on a hot Saturday.

Navigation for this route is easy if you follow the route description provided. The hike to the Alpine Sliding Rock is rated 1A I using the Canyon Rating System.

If you visit the Alpine Sliding Rock consider taking a small plastic garbage bag and carrying out more trash than you carry in. The Alpine Sliding Rock is very clean and nice but there is always an inconsiderate person who leaves a mess for others. This is a location, which could remain enchanting for many years with a little help from us all or become trashed in a hurry. Please provide a little extra effort to create an enjoyable place to visit.

Trailhead Information:
The Alpine Sliding Rock Trailhead is accessible to all vehicles in all weather conditions.

There is also a nice swimming hole above the slide.

Video:
Watching a short video is the only way to capture all the fun to be had at this fantastic swimming hole. If this video fails to play on your mobile device or computer you can always watch the Original YouTube Version here.

News:
KSL - Popular Utah County water recreation spot closes to make way for homes
December 12, 2014

ALPINE — A water recreation hot spot in Utah County is closed and public access is not likely to return, with a residential development soon to take over the land.

The slippery, shallow falls known as “Sliding Rock” in Alpine has drawn hundreds of visitors on summer weekends in recent years, but City Councilwoman Kimberly Bryant said the site has always stood on private property.

“It’s not Alpine City’s,” Bryant said. “It’s never been ours, and it never will be. It’s not for sale.”

Bryant said the area has been slated for development since at least 1984.

The city had an opportunity to annex the land once within the past decade, but Bryant said residents voted the acquisition down.

The current developer, according to Bryant, plans to bring high-end homes to “Three Falls Estates” along with 450 acres of public open space and over 10 miles of public trails, but the public access to Sliding Rock has closed.

Large No Trespassing signs now sit at the entrance to the property. The ballooning popularity of the site had presented challenges to surrounding neighbors.

“They were blocking the driveways — it was very, very narrow with little private driveways,” Bryant said. “A lot of families were really respectful and great and nice about it, but unfortunately with anything like that you will have people who are disrespectful.”

Ruth Ann Haws has taken her children every year to Sliding Rock, and said she is disappointed the area has closed.

“I think all of them except our 2-year-old have been down it so far and we’d sure like it to be there when he’s a couple years older,” Haws said. “It would sure make a lot of us sad if we don’t get to use it anymore.”

Chris Rudolph has walked with his dogs through the area for the past 16 years.

“My concern is hiking access, but I’ve been assured there will be a parking lot down here,” Rudolph said.

Bryant, who has family pictures at Sliding Rock dating back to the early 1980s, said the change is something everyone feels.

“We had just a lot of fun and I understand people being sad about it, because I feel sad about it too,” Bryant said.

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