“Would you like Half Dome permits?” asked the ranger a second time. Apparently, my girlfriend and I had not recognized his initial offer as legitimate. It was our first day in Yosemite National Park, and we had already accepted the fact that we would not be standing on top of one of the nation’s most…
Category: Backpacking
“Best Backpacking Trips in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico” book review
As I write this review, autumn is fast approaching us here in Utah. Fall is among the best times to go backpacking in the southwestern states, with cooler temperatures, colorful foliage, and less crowds. So while looking for some new ideas about backpacking trips I’ve never done before, I received a copy of the new…
Hike to Carolyn Lake in the High Uintas Wilderness
Utah’s High Uinta Wilderness area is a smorgasbord of streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. During the height of summer, even the most remote of these water oasis can get pretty crowded. It’s an especially good bet that any of the basins and lake areas located just off of the Highline Trail will certainly have a…
Backpacking 101: What to put in your pack
You just purchased a sweet new pack from your local outdoor shop; you have a four day weekend ahead of you, and you know exactly where you want to spend it. But what do you fill your backpack with? Which items are must-haves, and which ones are pure luxury carries? In this edition of Backpacking…
Video: Backpacking the Zion Narrows
The Narrows in Zion National Park is perhaps the most scenic and dramatic canyon in all of Utah, and backpacking is the best way to see it. I featured this segment on KSL Outdoors, and it shows off the beauty of the canyon, as well as tips on how to make the hike, and the…
Thule Versant 70L backpacking pack review
Backpacking season is here in the desert, and the mountains will be without snow in a few short months. Time to shop for a new backpacking pack! I’ve been using an old pack since the early 2000’s and it has worked well for me. But it has always felt heavy. Clearly materials have come a…
Backpacking to Cuberant Lake
Autumn is upon us, and backpacking trips to the Uinta Mountains may soon be in short supply. If you want to squeeze in a quick overnight trip, but don’t want to skimp on the scenery, Cuberant Lake may be just the trip you’re looking for. A short but stern hike leads to a uniquely shaped…
Gear you need in the Zion Narrows
The Zion Narrows is unlike any hike in Utah or even the world. Unlike most hikes that are on a trail, in the Narrows you are wading almost entirely in a river. Add a deep canyon with little escape options, and an overnight backpacking trip for the top-down option, and you’ll discover that the Narrows is…
Backpacking Zion Narrows from the top down
Of all the canyons found in Zion National Park, the easiest and most popular has got to be the Zion Narrows. But that’s only because of the hordes of tourists that hike up the first five miles from the bottom to Big Spring. To truly experience the Narrows, you have to go in from the…
Kings Peak – hiking to the top of Utah
Kings Peak is the tallest mountain in Utah, so climbing to the summit is a rite of passage for any hiker living in the state. All serious hikers around the country have one thing in common: an insatiable desire to climb the highest peak in the state they live in. Standing atop the king of…