Battle Creek Canyon from Google Street View

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Description:
Battle Creek Canyon is located at the extreme east end of 200 South in Pleasant Grove (Utah County). The parking area at the mouth of the canyon is a mix of dirt and gravel. Dirt trails lead from the parking area in several directions. Crossing the foot bridge to the north, over a stream bed, leads to a small park and pavilion called Kiwanis Park. The trail straight east from the lot goes into the canyon. This trail will lead you to a nice waterfall that is about 40' high and a little less than a mile from the trail head. It is a great hike for families and small children as it follows the stream up the canyon to the waterfall with slight elevation gain. Additional trails go south from the parking lot and are primarily used by hikers and cyclists. Scrub Oak is prominent with a mix of maple and other trees.


Birding:
The mix of bird species at Battle Creek Canyon changes with each season.  Common spring and summer species include COOPER'S HAWK, WHITE-THROATED SWIFT, BLACK-CHINNED and BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD, a variety of FLYCATCHERS and VIREOS, HOUSE WREN, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, WARBLERS, CHIPPING SPARROW, WESTERN TANAGER, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, and LAZULI BUNTING.  COMMON POORWILL are often heard singing right at and just after dusk during summer evenings.

Fall brings migrant raptors and feisty RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS as they make their southward migration.

Winter can be slow here, but some specialty birds can be found.  The faint, high-pitched calls of BROWN CREEPER are often heard as they forage along the trunk and main branches of the mature trees around the pavilion. ROSY FINCH are sometimes seen moving in flocks along the hillsides and above the canyon.  WESTERN SCREECH and NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL inhabit the trees at the mouth of the canyon and along the foothills during winter as well. The Saw-whets are pushed down from their preferred habitat during hard winters.

Some of the year round species include CHUKAR on the hillsides, CALIFORNIA QUAIL, NORTHERN FLICKER, WESTERN SCRUB-JAY, SPOTTED TOWHEE, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, AMERICAN KESTREL, GREAT HORNED OWL and GOLDEN EAGLES which are regularly seen soaring above the canyon and its surrounding peaks.

Directions:
If driving south on I-15 from Salt Lake County take SR 92 (Timpanogos Highway) east to the mouth of American Fork Canyon and turn south on North Canyon Road. Follow this road south into Pleasant Grove and turn left (east) at 200 South. Follow 200 South all the way to the parking lot at the mouth of Battle Creek Canyon.  Alternatively, from State Street in Pleasant Grove head north on Canyon Road. Turn right (east) at 200 South and follow the road to the parking lot at the mouth of the canyon.