Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction is only 19 miles from the Utah/Colorado border, therefore is a must-see stop while on a Colorado road trip. This part of Colorado might as well be called “Utah East.” The monument’s red rock canyons with deep, dramatic cliffs would be at home anywhere in southeastern Utah. There are…
Category: Hiking
Explore the Kolob Canyons area in Zion National Park
Utah’s five National Parks garner a lot of praise, but none more than Zion. Why all the love? Simply put, this place is a wonderland. A multitude of rock formations crafted over millions of years mix with towering pine trees, trickling creeks, and deep slot canyons. It truly is a breathtaking and special place. The…
PackPillow review
A pillow is a luxury for hardcore backpackers, right? Well it doesn’t have to be. Gone are the days of resting your head on a bunched up, down jacket. With inventions like the PackPillow, you can save weight, be efficient about pack space, and still get a good night’s rest. The PackPillow is essentially four…
Summit West Grandaddy Mountain in the High Uintas
Grandaddy Basin is a gorgeous area on the southern slope of Utah’s High Uintas Wilderness. There are enough streams, lakes, and trails to keep you busy for a week, but if you only have time for one hike, I highly recommend a summit of West Grandaddy Mountain. The route is not difficult, the views are…
Hike to Willow Lake in Big Cottonwood Canyon
Big Cottonwood Canyon is filled with dozens of long, epic hikes with spectacular views. But sometimes you just want to hike a short trail with a nice payoff. This is especially true if you’re taking kids. Willow Lake on the Willow Heights Trail near Solitude Mountain Resort is the perfect hike for that. The trail…
Explore Grandaddy Basin in the High Uintas
Purple areas on maps are often a non-starter for me. The purple indicates “high use” zones; places where you are sure to find loads of other hikers and campers. Personally, I go backpacking in part to escape from crowds, get lost in the surroundings, and enjoy some peace and quiet. It was with some trepidation…
Backpacking Buckskin Gulch from Wire Pass to White House
Buckskin Gulch is easily among my top 3 favorite hikes in all of Utah. Located in the Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument near the Utah/Arizona border, Buckskin Gulch is widely considered to be the “longest slot canyon in the world.” After hiking through almost 15 miles of continuous, long and deep narrows in Buckskin, I’d say…
Hike Fairyland Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park
The crumbling sandstone spires of Bryce Canyon may seem ethereal, perhaps even magical. The aptly named Fairyland Trail plunges hikers into this fantasy world of multicolored hoodoos over an eight-mile loop. If you want to see a piece of almost everything Bryce Canyon offers visitors, then this is the trail for you! Fairyland Loop Trail…
Utah outdoor travel ideas for Memorial Day Weekend
Memorial Day Weekend is an ideal time to travel for outdoor recreation in Utah, and all other western states. The weather is perfect this time of year, even in the desert. The destination options are unlimited in Utah and adjoining states, but here are are few of my favorite locales to visit over the long…
Hike Upper Muley Twist Canyon in Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park has long been praised by the outdoor crowd as a hidden treasure in Utah. Incredible scenery, no entrance fees, and often scant crowds are just a few of the reasons for this. However, even in the most hidden of places, warm weather and jaw-dropping natural splendor will eventually lure plenty of…