Trail Heads
Be the team's link between the mountain and the outside world. Trail Head members keep communications flowing, greet hikers, and are often the first to hear when someone needs help.
TERT staffs a shack at both main trailheads to Mt. Timpanogos. The job is much the same at each, with a few key differences.
Aspen Grove
- The team's communication hub. Aspen Grove handles the team's regular check-ins with Sheriff's Office dispatch and stays in close contact with the High Camp Team Leader.
- Where the trails meet. Both the Aspen Grove summit trail and the Stewart Falls trail start here, so it's the busiest of the two.
- Supports Stewart Falls as that team heads out in the morning and returns in the afternoon.
- Last to leave. On Sunday, Aspen Grove waits until every TERT member is safely off the mountain, then signs the team off with dispatch.
Timpooneke
- The American Fork Canyon side of the mountain, with its own route to the summit.
- A smaller, quieter shack. Members set up outside the shack so hikers can see them as they pass.
- Works with the Timpooneke Rover, who patrols this side of the mountain on Saturdays and holidays.
- Relays radio traffic with High Camp, Aspen Grove, and the rest of the team.
Both shifts require a ham radio license.
Weekend Trailhead
- Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon.* You run the trailhead for the weekend.
- Camp at the trailhead and stay on call overnight.
- Counts as a full weekend shift.
Day Trailhead - Saturdays and Holidays
- Saturday 8 AM to about 6 PM.* You work alongside the weekend trailhead member.
- Greet hikers, help run the shack, and head up the trail to help a hiker when needed.
- Cover the shack while the weekend member takes a break or gets a meal at camp.
- Counts as a single day assignment. No overnight needed.
The full weekend shift. Day Trailhead members join from 8 AM to about 6 PM.
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Friday, ~4:30 PM
Arrive & set up
Set up camp at the team's reserved campsite near the trailhead, open the shack, and connect with the High Camp Team Leader by radio.
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Friday evening
Evening hikers
Get to know the shack and talk with hikers heading up for the night. Many start late to catch the sunrise from the summit.
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Friday night
On call overnight
Keep your radios on through the night. If a hiker needs help or High Camp calls, you may be needed in the middle of the night.
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Saturday, by 8:00 AM
Open for the day
Be at the shack by 8 at the latest. Stewart Falls and the Rover start their day at 8, and trail traffic picks up early. Post the day's forecast, put out the trail register, and start greeting hikers.
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All day
Keep everyone connected
Share trail conditions and safety tips, keep a count of hikers for the Forest Service, relay radio traffic, and log anything that happens. If a hiker reports someone in trouble, you're often the first to pass it on.
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Saturday night
On call again
Another night with your radios on, ready if the mountain needs you.
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Sunday
Another day on duty
Open the shack again and stay on duty while the High Camp team packs up and heads down.
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Sunday afternoon*
Wrap up
Once every TERT member is off the mountain, restock the medical pack, close up the shack, and head home.
* End times are approximate. The trailheads stay on duty until the whole team is off the mountain, and later if the team is helping with an incident.
The trailhead is the best chance to help a hiker before a problem starts.
Questions about the trail
Distance, conditions, weather, and how long it takes. Your answers help hikers make good decisions before they start.
Underprepared hikers
Late starts, too little water, the wrong shoes. A friendly conversation at the trailhead can turn a hiker around before they're in trouble.
Leave No Trace questions
No campfires in the wilderness area, keep groups to 15 or fewer, keep dogs leashed, and never pick wildflowers.
Reports of hikers in trouble
Hikers coming down often report someone hurt or struggling up the trail. You'll get the details and pass them on quickly.
Injuries near the trailhead
You may hike a short way up the trail with the medical pack to help someone in the first mile or two.
Rescues & helicopters
When Search and Rescue or a helicopter brings a patient down, you'll help keep hikers clear of the area.
Who's at the trailhead
- Every trailhead member is a licensed ham radio operator. The trailheads relay radio traffic for the whole team, so only hams can staff them.
- Medical training is a plus. Members with medical certification are especially useful here, covering the lower two miles of each trail.
- Every member needs current CPR and Basic First Aid.
Physical demands
- The lightest station physically. Most of the day is spent at the shack.
- Be ready to hike a short distance up the trail carrying the 10 lb medical pack.
- You'll be outdoors all day, in hot sun one hour and chilly shade the next.
- Your sleep may be interrupted if you're called out overnight.
Early season note: Until the Sheriff's Office clears High Camp to open (usually early July), the trailheads are staffed on Saturdays only.
The weekend shift is basically a camping trip: on duty during the day and on call at night.
On call at night
- You'll keep your ham radio and the Sheriff's Office radio on through the night, with help from a team antenna at camp.
- Overnight hikers, High Camp, or dispatch may need you, so you could be called out in the middle of the night.
- Set up camp so you can hear the radios and get moving quickly.
Your camp
- TERT has a reserved campsite near each trailhead shack.
- Tents, camp trailers, and campers are all welcome.
- Both locations have pit toilets, if you don't have a trailer or camper.
- Family members are welcome to camp with you.
Bring your own water. Don't count on finding water at either trailhead. The parking lot faucets are unreliable, and the only source at Timpooneke is a stream that must be filtered.
Don't forget
- Enough water for the weekend
- Your handheld ham radioAnd a way to keep it charged all weekend.
- A headlamp or flashlightFor overnight callouts and the walk to camp.
- Warm layers and sun protectionHot sun by day, cold nights.
- Food for the weekend
- Your TERT shirt
Once you're accepted, you'll complete the Trailhead Operations course in the team portal before you can sign up for this station. It's built from video filmed at the trailheads.
Orientation & equipment
Getting to the trailhead, setting up, and knowing your way around the shack.
Communications
Running the radios, checking in with dispatch, and relaying for the team.
Operations
Your weekend duties, supporting rescues and helicopter operations, and keeping the log.
Public education
Talking with hikers about safety, Leave No Trace, and wilderness rules.
New members also attend both spring training days.
Can my family come along?
Yes. Family members are welcome to camp with you at the campground for the weekend. Tents, camp trailers, and campers are all fine.
Do I need a ham radio license?
Yes. Only licensed ham radio operators can staff the trailheads, because they relay radio traffic for the whole team. If you're not licensed yet, see Radio Training and Resources. In the meantime, Stewart Falls and High Camp have positions that don't require a license.
Can I serve at a trailhead without camping overnight?
Yes. The Day Trailhead shift runs from 8 AM to about 6 PM and counts as a single day assignment. You'll still need a ham radio license.
Which trailhead will I be at?
You'll sign up for a specific trailhead when you sign up for your shift.
Is there water at the trailheads?
Don't count on it. The parking lot faucets are unreliable, and the only water near Timpooneke is a stream that must be filtered. Bring enough for the whole weekend.
Will I have to hike?
Not much. Most of your time is at the shack, but you may need to hike a short way up the trail with the medical pack to help a hiker.