Huber Grove shares fruits of pioneers with state park visitors
The original creamery at Huber Grove at Wasatch Mountain State Park in Heber Valley. It was built in the late 1800s by the Johannes Huber family, who also planted the apple trees in the grove. Jessica Eyre/Utah Adventurer Ph
The apple trees at Huber Grove at Wasatch Mountain State Park in Heber Valley were originally planted in 1885. Jessica Eyre/Utah Adventurer
The apple trees at Huber Grove at Wasatch Mountain State Park in Heber Valley were originally planted in 1885. Jessica Eyre/Utah Adventurer
One of the apple varities planted at Huber Grove is the yellow transparency. The trees at the Wasatch Mountain State Park in Heber Valley were originally planted in 1885. Jessica Eyre/Utah Adventurer
The apple trees at Huber Grove at Wasatch Mountain State Park in Heber Valley were originally planted in 1885. Jessica Eyre/Utah Adventurer
Kathy Donnell, the park naturalist for Wasatch Mountain State Park, picks an apple at Huber Grove in Heber Valley. The apple trees were originally planted in 1885. Jessica Eyre/Utah Adventurer
One of the shining stars of September is the harvest. Fresh produce at farmers markets, and even picking your own pumpkins and apples. But how about heirloom apples from 135-year-old trees? Ever heard of Red Astrakan or Yellow Transparent?
Wasatch Mountain State Park in Midway is home to Huber Grove, where Johannes Huber, a Swiss emigrant, and his wife, Maria, planted 350 fruit trees and soon turned it into a productive orchard. There are about 80 trees left around the original farmhouse and creamery, and several tiny trees grafted from branches of the original trees.
Each Saturday and Sunday in September, beginning Saturday, and ending on Sept. 23, the orchard is open to the public to pick these precious apples. Kathy Donnell, the park naturalist for Wasatch Mountain State Park, said that apple trees typically live for about 35 years, and produce apples for about 15 of those years.
One of the theories of why these trees have lived and produced for so long is the long, hard winters of the valley.
You have to make a reservation — each group gets two apple pickers and four baskets for two hours. The reservations are to help manage the amount of people in the orchard at one time, and to help the volunteers make sure that the delicate trees aren’t being damaged.
The park is working on a project that focuses on the mother of the original orchard, Maria Huber. Because there is always so much history on men, Donnell said, and because Maria ran the household, they wanted to highlight her.
Donnell did some research and interviewed the Hubers’ last living granddaughter, Phyllis Chatwin, who is 97 years old. From her, Donnell has a lot of artifacts from Maria: a pair of glasses, several pieces of tatting that Maria did, a serving spoon and other pieces.
On our visit, Donnell had just picked them up from being framed.
The apple trees were first planted in about 1885; a lean-to addition was added to the original two-room farmhouse for the apple production, and was referred to as the summer kitchen. The Hubers also offered a place to stay for travelers there. The farmhouse is still there — with original floors and windows, though electricity has been added.
Snake Creek runs through the property, which at its height was a 160-acre ranch. The state bought the orchard property in 1960. The water ran into the creamery (which is now used for storage) for refrigeration. The two groves of apple trees are lined up on each side of the two structures. It’s truly a unique experience to be walking along the neat rows of trees, with it all surrounded by the majesty of the Wasatch Mountains.
A lot of interesting facts are posted on signs, many featuring actual text written by Johannes Huber. For example, the family discovered a nest of bees living in the structure of their house, but because they never bothered them, they just all lived together in harmony.
A short nature trail also circles around the apple trees, with signs that point out vegetation and other facts about the land.
The apple trees hold a special position in the community. The Hubers would give an apple tree to every couple getting married, so there could be a lot of Huber Grove trees all through the Heber Valley.
Apple Harvest Huber Grove
When: Saturday through Sept. 23 (Saturdays and Sundays only)
Where: Huber Grove and Wasatch Mountain State Park
Reservations: Call the Visitor Center at (435) 654-1791 to reserve your two-hour time slot.