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…
Tag: Hiking
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…
2017 summer opening dates at Utah ski resorts
As I write this, there is still a 108-inch base at Snowbird. After a deep snow season at Utah’s 14 ski resorts, it’s hard to imagine mountain biking, hiking, disc golf and mountain coasters right now. Yet summer 2017 opening dates have been announced, assuming the snow does indeed melt in time. Below is a…
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…
Kuhl Outsider Pant review
To be comfortable in the outdoors, you need to wear the right clothing. Quality mens outdoor pants are essential – they have to be water resistant, flexible, rugged, and look good enough to wear out to dinner after a day on the crags. Well Salt Lake City’s own Kuhl has a pant with the perfect…
Vasque Talus UltraDry boot review
As a general outdoor lover, I’m always in need of a good, all-around boot that is appropriate for just about any activity. The Vasque Talus UltraDry so far has been that boot for me. After getting my pair back in September, I’ve pretty much worn them as everyday footwear over the winter months, and have…
Hike to Morning Glory Arch in Moab
Utah is a land bestowed with many natural wonders, and a lot of these are of the rock variety. If natural arches are your thing, then Moab is the place to be. The crowds at Arches National Park can be quite brutal in spring and summer, but there are other options for rock-seekers that offer…
Book review: “100 Classic Hikes Utah”
Utah is loaded with classic hiking trails. From the deserts to the south and the mountains of the north, there are so many hikes to choose from it’s tough to narrow them all down for a weekend trip. But a new guide book, 100 Classic Hikes: Utah, narrows down the thousands of hikes in the…
Hiking difficulty ratings. Got class? Now you do!
In many of the hiking and climbing articles here on UtahOutside.com, you may read about “Class.” Class is used to describe the level of difficulty encountered on any given trail or mountain. But what does “Class 2, 3, 4 or even 5” hiking really mean? I thought it was time for a breakdown, as many…