The wherewithal of the early pioneers astounds me! In the summer of 1846, the Donner Party set off for California En route, they learned of Hastings Cutoff, a supposed easier route to California that would make for a shorter trip Nevermind Hastings himself had only traversed the route once of the same year and without wagons! His enthusiasm for California and the fact it was a shorter route convinced the Donner Party to take the new course They chose the route over Big Mountain Pass after scouting determined Weber ...

Upper City Creek Canyon is one of the most pristine canyons along the Wasatch Front Rules against dogs, horses, and camping are in the canyon, coupled with somewhat difficult access, have made this a lightly visited area The hike to the meadows shows this light usages Expect a trail that is occasionally hard to find in grassy meadows, solitude, and a very natural setting On a July day, I was dazzled by butterflies and birds, with many more spotted than I have seen elsewhere in the Wasatch City Creek Canyon is quite...

City Creek is rich in history The canyon is currently home to one of the Salt Lake valley’s water treatment plants and has long had a history of providing water to the valley The upper reaches of the canyon held the site of several mines, none of which were very successful Then came prohibition, and moonshine was added to the story of City Creek Canyon The trail described here, Smugglers Gap, was used by moonshiners to smuggle moonshine from City Creek to the military base at Fort Douglas The hike is steep and heav...

Mirror Lake, the namesake of the Mirror Lake Highway, is arguably one of the most popular and visited lakes in the Uinta Mountains The lake has both day use areas as well as 94 campsites reservable on recreationgov The popularity of the area is for a good reason, and I wouldn't let crowds deter you from stopping by The lake is located at just over 10,000 ft in elevation and has a glassy surface that reflects Bald Mountain and the other surrounding peaks in its clear waters On any given summer weekend, the shore wil...

Fallen Angel is my least favorite of the Angel Slots The canyon is short, with quite a bit of crumbly rock and somewhat light anchors There were no recent signs of passage on our descent, and several anchors required placement or replacement Because of this, it is probably best left for intermediate or better canyoneers with decent natural anchor skills Once down the short canyon, the exit hike is marvelous, passing a pictograph and petroglyph panel along the Dirty Devil before climbing an elegant exit route up the...

I am often asked what I think the "best" canyon is that I have done It depends on how you determine "best" There are narrow canyons, canyons with big rappels, climbing canyons, pothole canyons, etc I will admit though, when pressed, Deer Creek is usually my pick for best canyon I have done It is a stunning section of canyon tucked at the bottom of the overwhelmingly immense and beautiful Grand Canyon Deer Creek left a smile on my face that lasted way beyond the actual canyon day Had we not been pressed for time, I ...

Coyote Gulch is one of, if not thee, premier canyon in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument The canyon, emblematic of the beauty of the Escalante region, is often near the top of desert hikers and backpackers bucket lists This is a canyon that has astounding beauty and charm, with seemingly each bend of the canyon revealing a scene to marvel at Arches, waterfalls, cavernous alcoves, rock art, and a plethora of color make this an amazing journey Because of its iconic status, the canyon sees many visitors and ...

Near the Colorado-Utah border on I-70 in Rabbit Valley lies The Trail Through Time The 15-mile trail is a stone's throw from I-70, but transports visitors back to the time when dinosaurs roamed the area The trail is part of the active Mygatt-Moore dinosaur quarry that has been designated an Area of Critical Environmental Concern As the trail winds its way along the benches, it visits several sites where dinosaur fossils can be seen in the rock This is like most dinosaur exhibits in the wild I have visited in that t...

Turtlehead Peak, though not the highest point in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, is a one of the easier and more popular summits to reach The summit and hike have breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Mojave Desert landscape and the iconic red sandstone formations that characterize the region The hike involves some steep, loose sections, and a plethora of social trails I would not recommend this for absolute beginning hikers, but for those with a little experience, it is an excellent outing On...

Willow Springs in Red Rocks Conservation Area is a stunning natural oasis, nestled within the rugged Red Rocks landscape Willow Springs is a picturesque desert oasis, where a scattering of willow trees thrives among the springs, creating a verdant contrast to the surrounding arid environment This is a place that ancient peoples used, and left pictographs Today, several short trails traverse the area, as well as a large parking area, picnic tables and restrooms This is an excellent spot to have a picnic and do some ...