This is a hike most Wasatch Front hikers have not done Tucked at the southwest corner of the valley, it seems often overlooked except by the neighborhood surrounding it that hikes, bikes, and walks dogs in the area South Mountain, surprisingly to me, is the high point of the Traverse Mountains I had always assumed the peak was part of the Oquirrh Mountains The hike makes a good early season hike to get the legs in shape for summer peak season, or a late fall or even winter hike if there isn't too much snow on the g...

Crossing Nevada on US Route 50 is both a desolate and engaging experience at the same time For those just hurrying through, the route seems empty and inviting There are, however, quite a few fascinating roadside attractions a few minutes off the highway that make for great roadside stops Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area is one of those stops and is steeped in history The panel is mere minutes off US-50 and offers an excellent way to stretch your legs while passing through There is a great camping area here as we...

A few springs dot Skull Valley, but the valleys stark expanse has an imposing feel When the ill-fated Donner party passed through Skull Valley in 1846, the valley was known by the much more welcoming Spring Valley Today, while passing through on UT-196 at highway speed, Skull Valley may seem desolate and a place to be hurried past Skull Valley holds some gems in its expanse White Rocks is one of those gems that is often overlooked On the southwest end of the valley, near the base of the Cedar Mountains, White Rocks...

Hole in the Rock is a relatively small rock art site west of Fillmore A small line of basalt cliffs and boulders overlooks a broad valley It is easy to imagine native peoples hunting from this vantage point The panels here are smaller and less concentrated than other sites around Fillmore These panels also face west/southwest, making afternoon lighting a bit better for photography Not being an expert, my guess is the panels are a mix of Fremont and possible older archaic period glyphs

Graham Peak is the highest point in the Silver Island Mountains The west side of the Silver Island Mountains tend to be steep slopes without many challenges The east side is riddled with cliffs, caves, obstacles and to my eye much more dramatic scenery Though the peak is most hiked from Campbell Canyon on the west side of the range, the route described here is on the east side of the range The route up the peak from the east is shorter than coming up from Campbell Canyon, it is also more difficult This is an outing...

Snow Canyon State Park is a beautiful park filled with many interesting hikes, but it can also be very crowded However, I found that the Cinder Cone Trail was not particularly busy even though I was there on a holiday weekend The cinder cone is generally referred to as the Diamond Valley Cinder Cone You can see black basalt rock throughout Snow Canyon, some of which originated from volcanic eruptions that started 3 million years ago The formation of the two cinder cones on the northern end of the park are from more...

Cathedral in the Desert is a magnificent natural alcove located in Clear Creek Canyon, a tributary of the Escalante River arm of Lake Powell Before the reservoir filled in the 1960s, it was considered one of the most beautiful sites in Glen Canyon, rivaling Zion Canyon and other iconic Southwest landscapes The centerpiece is a towering, cathedral-like chamber of Navajo Sandstone with high vertical walls and an elegant pour-off waterfall that trickles down a smooth, bowl-shaped recess The spot embodies the beauty th...

I did an out-and-back from Cliff Dweller Flats on a Saturday in mid March High of 65 and a perfect time of year to be there; the canyon stayed shaded all morning and even some of the midday and early afternoon A few patches of snow but hardly any moisture to be found, no microspikes needed I clocked 110 miles from the parking area, 90 of which was in the canyon itself I ended up coming up and out of the canyon a different way than I went in, but both near what is suggested on the map for an entry point; neither wer...

Short narrows, a pictograph panel, big views, arches, and even an optional rappel or two, what more could a canyon offer Farnsworth is a charmer, and a canyon I have visited many times over the years Visiting the lower section of the canyon, through the narrows or up to the pictograph panel, offers an easy to access outing suitable for most and a good kid friendly hike For those with a bit more energy, a jaunt up to the top of the reef offers big views and three hidden arches/bridges Still not satisfied Have some t...