As we near the end of 2010, it’s a good time to look back on all the outdoor adventures we took part in over the course of a year. From skiing to mountain biking, hiking and backpacking, the trips listed below have made the Top 5 Utah outdoor adventures because they all share one thing in common – great memories made with awesome friends among the most magnificent landscapes in our state.
As we begin the year 2011, there are probably already trips planned well in advance, as well as fleeting ideas about what we want to experience in the next 12 months. If you’re looking for any inspiration, maybe the five trips below will give it to you. Here’s to happy Utah adventures in 2011!
Backpacking Yellow Creek in Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park may conjure up images of tourist hordes crowding viewpoints for generic shots of hoodoos at sunrise. But delve further into the backcountry trails for an overnight trip or two, and you’ll find you can have a national park all to yourself. Yellow Creek in Bryce Canyon stood out for its pink-walled cliffs, hidden pine forests, and fantastic hoodoos all around.
Whant to know more? Then read the full trip report.
Mount Agassiz in the High Uintas is over 12,000 feet tall, is just seven miles from the trailhead, and towers over the gorgeous Naturalist Basin area… highlights like those make this trip an easy choice. The best part? You can do this one in a single, long day or turn it into a memorable overnighter. The reward for making the climb is a view from the top of the peak that is nothing short of spectacular.
Experience Mount Agassiz for yourself and read the full trip report.
Mountain Biking the White Rim Trail
The White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park is a trip so nice, we did it twice… as evidenced by its inclusion in the top 5 list of 2009. Each time we ride our mountain bikes along this sandstone canyon rim, we find something new, making each experience different. You simply can’t beat spending four days in the saddle while taking in the sights, camping in beautiful locations, and hanging out with good friends.
Read the full trip report for more, including tons of photos documenting the trip.
Skiing the Pfeifferhorn’s Northwest Couloir
Not much can beat the one intense moment of skiing on icy snow into a ski-length choke above a cliff to clip into anchors for a rappel down the Northwest Couloir of the Pfeifferhorn. Although this one moment is distilled into a sweaty-palms memory, the rest of the trip was pretty damn sweet as well. Skinning of White Pine Canyon to a ridgeline afforded a view of the Wasatch that can’t be beat. Summiting the snow-covered Pfeifferhorn is always a thrill, and after the harrowing descent, a nice ski back to the car amidst the sound of enormous spring avalanches capped off one hell of an adventurous day.
Read the trip report here for more.
Backcountry skiing the Bench Hut in the Sawtooth Mountains
Despite the ridiculous outdoor adventure opportunities in Utah, it’s nice to get out and explore the mountains in neighboring states every now and then. The Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho is one such place, and backcountry skiing at the Bench Hut rivals anything we have in Utah. We spent four days and three nights in early March at the Bench Hut, and immediately became one of the most memorable outdoor adventures of the year.
Read the full trip report filled with pictures of all that Idaho awesomeness.
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