A1 Peak is one of the major summits that stack up along the Mirror Lake Highway in Utah’s Uinta Mountains. UtahOutside.com contributor, Ryan Malavolta, has summited A1 from Hell Hole Basin by way of two different routes. You can read his excellent writeup here. But if you’re looking for a shorter, yet more difficult/adventurous route,…
Category: Hiking
Hiking Sunset Peak at Alta
Sunset Peak is one of several high points that surround Alta at the head of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Sunset is unique, however, in that it is tucked away in the back, so to speak, making it less visible to the hordes at the ski area. It’s not until you crest Catherine Pass that the mountain…
Explore White Pocket in Vermillion Cliffs National Monument
An ancient Chinese proverb states that “the journey is the destination.” If you’re the sort of adventurer that likes to combine a rugged off road ride with a big payoff at the end, then read on and keep that proverb in mind. White Pocket in the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument is neither easy to get…
Hiking the Marshall Ridgeline near Idaho’s Redfish Lake
Aspen trees are ablaze with fall color. Below, a forested valley leads up to one of the most dramatic mountain views I’ve ever seen. My wife, Callista, and I hike atop Marshall Ridge in Idaho’s Sawtooth National Forest, and the ease-of-hike-to-payoff-in-scenery is unparalleled. The Sawtooth National Forest around Redfish Lake and the tiny burg of…
Winter backpacking (in August) at Kamas Lake
Months before planning a backpacking trip to Kamas Lake in the Uinta Mountains, it seemed August would the the ideal time of year. Temperatures should be just right, an afternoon thunderstorm would be likely but not a concern, and the fishing should be hot. But as I exit my tent in the dawn hours and…
Vasque St. Elias GTX Hiking Boot review
It’s not exactly breaking news that Vasque makes killer outdoor footwear. The real news came at the 2013 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, where I was informed that one of their more popular hiking boots, the Wasatch, was to be discontinued. I was crestfallen; no, I never owned a pair, but I wanted to. Numerous friends…
Stop and smell the roses at the Wasatch Wildflower Festival
If you haven’t been up the Cottonwood Canyons yet this summer, then now is the time to go. The wild flowers are in full bloom, but they don’t stick around for long. The Wasatch Wildflower Festival is designed to get you up into the cool mountain air, and appreciate the myriad blooms that color the…
Hi-Tec Coyote WP Shoe review
All too often, adventurous feet are beat up feet. The outdoors has a way of being pretty mean to your tootsies. Damned by nature to be bipeds, we humans are forced to seek shelter in the form of sturdy footwear. However, saving your arches can sometimes break the bank. If you are looking for a…
Hiking Little Wild Horse Canyon
What the San Rafael Swell doesn’t lack is trails, but one trail in particular is by far the most popular hike in the area: Little Wild Horse Canyon. There is good reason for masses of people who squeeze through this classic Utah slot every year. First, it’s among the most beautiful slot canyons in Utah…
Vasque Breeze 2.0 GTX Hiking Boots Review
When I hear the phrase “all time best seller”, my eyebrow arches and I go into full-on dubious mode. Surely a piece of gear that every Joey and Janey Weekeneder buys can’t be worthy of my elite pursuits! Vasque is a company that makes a huge array of top-shelf footwear, and when I was lucky…