Choosing the top outdoor adventures of the year is a difficult task to do here in Utah. Our state is so full of amazing scenery and recreation opportunities that it’s near impossible to whittle all the trips you took in a 12-month period down to 5. But myself and Ryan Malavolta went back into the archive and did just that. From mountain biking to hiking, backcountry skiing and backpacking, we’ve distilled our favorite excursions in Utah down to 10. So below is our top adventures of the year in no particular order. Maybe they’re also on your top list, or will inspire you to seek out these adventures yourself in 2013. Enjoy!
Mountain Biking the Whole Enchilada
The Whole Enchilada. The name describes the ride well as it encompasses a whole smothered tortilla filled with Moab-area trails like Burro Pass, Hazard County, Kokopelli and Porcupine Rim. It’s also the Whole Enchilada in terms of the style of riding as the trail system begins in the high alpine of the La Sal Mountains where you descend through four different climate zones, starting with singletrack among groves of aspen trees, and ending with desert rock and technical drops above the Colorado River. It’s a classic in Moab’s already awesome arsenal that will test your technical bike-handling skills and heart rates in a 26-mile, 7,000 foot descent. Overall, nothing really compares to mountain biking the Whole Enchilada. Not in Moab, or even in the entire United States. Where else can you start above 11,000 feet and descend 7,000 feet all the way to the desert and the bottom of a major river valley? This is the creme-de-la-creme of Utah mountain biking, and is the new “must do” ride in Moab. Reserve that shuttle, get on your trustworthy steed, and ride it! Read the full article…
Hiking to Red Castle in the High Uintas Wilderness
Deep pine forests, lush meadows, waterfalls and incredible mountain views- you’ll get them all on this classic Uintas overnighter. The hike begins by traveling through the gorgeous China Meadows area in the North Slope of the High Uintas Wilderness. Moose, deer, black bear and numerous other animals all call this place home. Make camp in one of the many meadow areas and rise early for the hike to Red Castle. This outstanding rock formation boasts three lakes near its flanks, and makes an ideal setting for a mountain lunch break. Go for the summit or simply enjoy the amazing alpine scenery, the only rule is don’t forget your camera. Read the full article…
Mountain Biking Pinecone Ridge Trail
“The Gem of the Wasatch.” The new Pinecone Ridge Trail in Park City has already earned that moniker, and is largely considered an instant classic by those who have gone mountain biking up this singletrack trail. What originally makes Pinecone Ridge such a hit is the fact that riders have a new way to access the Wasatch Crest Trail from the Mid Mountain Trail. Turns out, Pinecone Ridge is also one of the most fun trails to ride on its own, with a perfectly pitched descent that flows. Pinecone Ridge Trail is a huge addition to the Park City trail system, and makes this recently awarded IMBA Gold Level area even better. It’s fun, never too steep, provides for lots of options to link with other trails, and when connected to Armstrong Trail, makes for a long, 3,000 foot climb that’ll give you one hell of a workout. Pinecone Ridge Trail truly is a Gem of the Wasatch. Read the full article…
Explore Peek-a-Boo, Spooky, and Brimstone Gulch Slot Canyons
A hike in the Escalante area is guaranteed to make the top 10 list, and this year it’s not one, but three amazing slot canyons. Head down Hole-in-the-Rock Road and park at the Dry Fork Trailhead. Descend the slickrock shelf into a world of canyoneering adventure. Start by heading down Dry Wash until you find Brimstone Gulch: this slot eventually gets so skinny that you can’t go any further. Back up Dry Wash, the adventure really heats up with a trek up Spooky Gulch. This tight little slot canyon is aptly named: you will be taking off your pack and turning sideways just to squeeze through! The adventure ends by making your way down Peek-a-Boo Gulch, where several points of interest within the canyon keep you trip exciting until the end. Read the full article…
Backcountry skiing Temptation Ridge in June
Sometimes the urge to go skiing becomes so overwhelming, that you’re willing to do just about anything to carve a few turns – including hike over 3,000 feet just to get to a sliver of snow. Well, our crew of Justin Lozier, Sean Zimmerman-Wall, Ben Napolitano, and myself did just that when we skied the chutes of Baldy Bowl above Snowbird on June 10, 2012. We boot packed up to Temptation Ridge and even threw in some class-5 scrambling in ski boots to keep things interesting. Then we skied down on corn snow that was far better than it should have been that time of year. A memorable day spent outdoors indeed! Read the full article…
Hike Sulphur Creek in Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef is the least visited National Park in Utah, and we’re still scratching our heads as to why. With adventures like the Sulphur Creek day hike awaiting you, don’t be one of the folks who skip this gem. Make sure you have your water shoes ready, because this hike takes place mostly in the namesake water source. The hike begins across the road from the Chimney Rock trailhead. Follow the scenic dry wash until you reach Sulphur Creek. The real fun begins here, as the creek goosenecks its way through alcoves, small waterfalls, and an interesting set of narrows. Canyon walls tower over your head the whole way, sometimes as high as 800′ above you. The trip ends at the Capitol Reef visitor center, where you’ve either stashed a shuttle vehicle, or you’ll need to beg for a ride back to your car. Read full article…
Mountain Biking Thunder Mountain
If you’ve ever been to Bryce Canyon National Park, looked down from an overlook at the maze of red rock hoodoos, and thought to yourself, “gee, it sure would be awesome to mountain bike that,” then Thunder Mountain in nearby Red Canyon is tailor-made for you. The ride is just about the most scenic mountain biking you can hope for in Southern Utah (which says a lot) plus it’s a fun, semi-technical ride with stellar views that will have you stopping every 500 feet to snap pictures. As a result, don’t be surprised if the 8 miles of singletrack takes a long time to ride. But it’s worth it, because around every corner is an unbelievable landscape that will force you to tear your eyes away from the trail. Read the full article…
Backpack to Duck Lake in the Uinta Mountains
If you are new to backpacking, or looking for an easy one night affair, than a trip to Duck Lake is right up your alley. Filled with rugged Uintas beauty, this hike is easy on the legs but big on scenery. From the Crystal Lake Trailhead you’ll pass Long Lake and take in views of impressive surrounding mountains. Soon the trail plunges into a deep forest, and before long you’ll reach Duck Lake. Numerous well-appointed campsites can be found around the lake, so there’s no need to create your own. Stoke your fire and enjoy a night under the stars. The hike out gains only a few hundred feet of elevation, and the lollipop loop route means you’ll see new sites on your way back home. Read full article…
Backcountry Skiing the Bear River Range
The Bear River Range in far northern Utah has been good to us this year. The early-season snow has been far better than anything in the Wasatch at the time, and we found peaks with excellent skiing all within a mountain range that provided us with new perspectives, and satiated our wanderlust, at least for now. Mount Magog, Naomi Peak, Cornice Ridge, and several high points in Upper Cottonwood Canyon lay to the north and west, beckoning us like mythological sirens as we skied the terrain around Tony Grove. Read the full article…
Hiking Sugarloaf Peak in the Wasatch Mountains
Sometimes you just want to get high in a hurry, and that’s what makes hikes like this one so great. Make the drive to Albion Basin campground near Alta ski resort, and you’ll soon be on your way to topping 11,000′. The basin is a treat to hike through, though it can often get quite busy all the way to Cecret Lake. Leave the crowds in the dust by locating the faint foot trail on the southeast side of the lake and following it up to the ridge between Sugarloaf Peak and Devil’s Castle. From here it’s just a hop, skip and a jump to the summit. The views are outstanding and the round trip time is under 3 hours…now that’s getting high the easy way! Read full article…
For 2013 check out white water rafting in Dinosaur National Monument. The Green River and Yampa River are awesome adventures. http://www.dinoadv.com