One of the highest road in Utah, the Skyline Drive is an incredibly scenic dirt road traversing the spine of the Wasatch Plateau The route has many options, with many opportunities for shorter outings The route described here clocks in at just over 100 miles with all but a few of those miles on dirt There are 2 sections to the Skyline Drive, North Skyline and South Skyline The north section, from Tucker in Spanish Fork Canyon to UT-264, is a little lower in elevation at about 9,000 ft and a more maintained gravel r...

I think Smith Creek Lakes are some of the prettiest lakes in the northern Wasatch The three lakes, nestled below the ridgeline between Francis and Thurston peaks, seem to cling to the side of the mountain, with craggy slopes and a dramatic skyline above It is a lovely place, particularly in wild flower season when the hills are awash with color There are even a few small primitive campsites near the lakes, but they can fill up on busy fall weekends What is the catch to visiting this lovely area Well, it either invo...

If there is a more idyllic hot spring in Nevada than Hot Creek, I have yet to visit it! The hot springs are only about 85 degrees Fahrenheit, so possibly not a good place to visit in the dead of winter, but excellent in spring, fall, and summer This peaceful place, in the wide open White River Valley, is a gem Hot Creek Springs and Marsh was designated a National Landmark in 1972 The hot springs, besides having a lovely boulder lined pool area we humans enjoy, are also home to the Moorman White River Springfish tha...

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 ...

Glitter Mountain, also known as the Old Gypsum Crystal Mine, is a popular spot near St George, Utah, known for its sparkling gypsum crystals It's an old mining site where gypsum was extracted, and now visitors can explore and collect some of the naturally occurring crystals Blm Site Information Glitter Mine Please Respect This Active Mining Claim History of the Glitter Mine The “Glitter Mine” is an active mining claim issued by the Bureau of Land Management BLM governed by the General Mining Act of 1872, as amended...

Dude Benchmark BM is a USGS benchmark above City Creek Canyon that is becoming a popular hike The ridgeline melts out early in the spring when other hikes are still under snow and stays snow free late into the fall, making it a good early/late season hike It can be hiked much of the winter as long as there isn’t too much snow Being one to enjoy long ridge hikes, the route I recommend below is longer than most, but sees a lot of terrain! It is a lovely amble along a seemingly endless ridge It will test your fitness,...

Rising majestically above Utah Valley, Mount Timpanogos is one of the most beloved and iconic peaks in the Wasatch Range Standing at 11,752 feet, it draws hikers from across the state and beyond with its sweeping alpine meadows, cascading waterfalls, and panoramic summit views stretching from the Great Salt Lake to the Uinta Mountains Though a big outing, “Timp” rewards the effort with unforgettable scenery and a true sense of mountain grandeur Two main trails lead to the summit, each offering a distinct experience...

Just north of US Route 50, the loneliest highway in the US, , Sand Mountain towers 660 sandy feet above the surrounding sagebrush high desert at almost 2 miles long, and 660 feet high This is a short side trip that is highly recommended if you are passing through Nevada on US-50 Be sure to also visit the nearby Pony Express station along the way It is said that on windy days, due to the shape and type of sand grains that make up Sand Mountain, the mountain makes an odd "moaning" sound Unfortunately or fortunately o...

Farmington Bay Wildlife Management Area is an outdoor paradise minutes from the hustle and bustle of the Wasatch Front On the north end of the expansive 18,000-acre area sits the Eccles Education Center and a 16-mile introductory trail This is an excellent place to see birds and other wildlife The trail is mostly flat and an easy surface for families to stroll around and enjoy My favorite time to visit is sunrise when the lighting is incredible, and the birds seem in abundance The education center is open Tuesday–S...

Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry is known to have the largest concentration of Jurassic dinosaur fossils ever found The quarry is located miles down a dirt road in a relatively remote location I have visited several times and have never seen more than a few other visitors If you are a dinosaur enthusiast, this is a place you want to visit The quarry has a small visitor center that has numerous examples of the types of fossils found at the quarry, and a wealth of information Near the visitor center are two large meta...