Utah Congressman Jim Matheson introduced federal legislation that would expand wilderness areas and further protect watersheds on over 26,000 acres in Mill Creek and the Cottonwood Canyons of the Wasatch Mountains. Named the “Wasatch Wilderness and Watershed Protection Act,” the bill will create a new 7,759-acre wilderness area around Grandeur Peak and Mount Aire, and will add an additional…
Tag: Big Cottonwood Canyon
Speak your mind at the Wasatch Canyons Tomorrow open house
After years of evaluation and two rounds of public meetings, over five thousand Utah residents have voiced their opinions about what should be contained in the new master plan being drafted by Wasatch Canyons Tomorrow. The final stages are fast approaching and any decision made will change the way we recreate in the Wasatch Mountains…
Off the beaten path on Argenta’s West Ridge
Spring is a time of variable snow conditions, and skiers are forced off the beaten path to find any soft snow. The Argenta slide path on the north side of Kessler Peak is a good place for the search, as it’s north facing and hides many nooks and crannies. Argenta is easy to see from…
“Overconfidence Kills” means backcountry skiing an unnamed Wasatch peak
The North Fork of Mill D in Big Cottonwood Canyon is a very popular backcountry skiing area. Dozens of groups skin up this side canyon to get to places like Reynolds Peak, Big and Little Water and Powder Park. But a good place to avoid the crowds is an unnamed peak near Desolation Lake sometimes…
Ski Salt Lake Shootout 2010 winners announced
Salt Lake City is home to some of the best skiing on the planet. As a result, Utah is also home to some of the best ski photographers in the industry. So it’s obvious for Ski Salt Lake to combine the two into a crazy, photography shootout over the course of seven days. As much…
Video: Wasatch backcountry skiing 2010 season
The Utah 2009-10 ski season may have been less than desirable as compared to previous years, but if one knew where to look, then lots of powder could be found in the Wasatch backcountry while the resorts looked bare as a bone. Despite the lack of blower powder shots during epic dumps, there were still…
The Dude abides at The Big LePowSki 2010
The Big LePowSki, despite the creative reference to the cult-classic movie, “The Big Lebowski,” can’t be any further from what “The Dude” would probably consider a good time. Something tells me the Jeff Bridges character would rather go bowling with a White Russian in hand than go skiing, although the bath robe may be an awesome-looking outer layer for skiing…
Tree skiing in Beartrap Fork: A photo essay
On days when the avalanche danger is considerable or high, there are few places to go backcountry skiing where it is safe. Generally, low angle slopes with lots of trees that anchor the snowpack are the only option. One place that is a good choice for a safe tour is in the aspen groves that…
Photo essay: Creamy turns in Cardiff Fork
When it hasn’t snowed in weeks, many skiers (myself included) avoid resorts like the plague. When in-bounds skiing consists of scraping down styrofoam ramps and bruising the knees on icy moguls, the backcountry holds the only soft snow that can be found. Sheltered north-facing slopes were promising, but all other aspects were covered in sun…
Two days in Mill D: A ski tour photo blog
Skiers like to say, “even when the skiing’s bad, it’s good.” In the case of backcountry skiing in Utah during a low snow year, a little creativity and knowing where to go can yield nice results; such as soft snow weeks after the last major storm. Even if there isn’t a face-shot in sight, being…