If you’ve ever skied Brighton Resort, chances are you’ve glided right past the two-story, almost 100-year-old Wasatch Mountain Lodge without even knowing it. Located on the hillside above Brighton Inn, just a few hundred yards from the Milly Express lift, this large, log structure is hidden in dense forest. “I first became acquainted with the Lodge three years ago. It was … [Read more...]
Four Must-Do Weber County Hikes
It’s no secret that some of the best things about Utah are the winsome mountains that straddle our state. Utah’s mountains play a significant role in the charm and activity base we have here. But what adventures do our mountains truly hold for us? The best way to discover your local mountains is by hiking! Here in Weber County, there are dozens of trails to choose from. I … [Read more...]
The Top Five Lakes in the High Uinta Mountains to Visit
I have been an avid backpacker and angler of Utah’s Uinta Mountains and its 600-plus fishable lakes for 55 years. As a teenager, I became addicted to fishing the mountain lakes closest to the Mirror Lake Byway with my cousin, who is now considered an expert, as he has visited so many lakes over the decades. Early on though, I decided we needed an approach to scoring lakes … [Read more...]
Neff’s Cave: Utah’s Best-Kept Subterranean Secret
Sometimes the best-kept secrets are hidden in our own backyard. For example, if you were to ask an experienced caver from France to name 10 of the top technical caves in the world, he would more than likely include Neff’s Cave among them. He might even tell you where it is. He may have even been there. On the other hand, if you were to ask random Salt Lakers about … [Read more...]
Why Should You Drive to Provo to Get Your Rock Climbing Equipment?
Outdoor sports are one of the biggest reasons to live in Utah. People come from all over the world to ski, mountain bike, rock climb, and pursue a plethora of other adrenaline addictions that bring them face-to-face with raw nature. The geographic wrinkles that rise up all around us in this beautiful state, sculpted and carved by wind and water, offer a view from just about … [Read more...]
Burn Scars – Restoration Work Continues to Revive Land After Bald Mountain and Pole Creek Fires
March 12, 2020: A year-and-a-half after the Bald Mountain and Pole Creek fires combined to burn over 120,000 acres in southern Utah County, restoration efforts are well underway, but there are still many years of environmental work ahead. In September 2018, the lightning-caused fires forced the evacuations of nearly 6,000 people in Woodland Hills, Elk Ridge, and several … [Read more...]
Bob Dustman – Over 1,000 Times on Top of Mt. Wire
Although I had never met him in person, Bob Dustman became a friend of mine. I valued him for his fortitude, determination and love of the outdoors - qualities one can discern from a small plaque at the top of Mt. Wire which reads Bob Dustman (1925 to 2018) - Over 1,000 Times On Top. His wife would say it was over 1,500 times. Lately, I’ve taken to buying old guidebooks, … [Read more...]
Spelunking in Utah – Exploring the Vast World Beneath – Cavers Take Their Sightseeing Underground
Utah is an outdoor playground on all levels, from 13,528 feet atop Kings Peak in the Uintas to 1,227 feet below ground in Main Drain Cave — the deepest cave in Utah and 11th deepest in the nation. The Beehive State’s underground world, shaped by water, minerals and time, is filled with colorful formations like helictites — hollow twiglike deposits of calcite or aragonite — and … [Read more...]
New Alta Ski Patrol Documentary
There is nothing like a day on the ski slopes at one of Utah's world-class ski resorts. Whether you are plowing powder or skiing a well-groomed run the exhilaration of a day on the slopes is a day well spent. And if something happens to go wrong, well-trained ski patrol organizations are there to provide medical, and rescue services, as well as hazard prevention. Utah … [Read more...]
5 Amazing Places For Hiking And Running With Dogs in Utah
Hiking, running, exploring, hunting, backcountry skiing. It’s difficult to think of any outdoor sports that are not more enjoyable with dogs. After about fourteen years of mostly hiking and running with dogs, we have collectively decided on our favorite spots: Stansbury Island The Wild West still lives in Utah, and it is found on Stansbury Island. Not for the faint of … [Read more...]