Opening day at a ski resort usually means grabbing the rock skis and sliding on man-made snow. That was not the case on Solitude Mountain’s 2018/19 opening day. On Saturday, December 1st, skiers got to enjoy the best opening day in recent memory. Solitude opened this year with four lifts running (Apex, Moonbeam, Powderhorn II,…
Tag: trip report
Biking the Navajo Rocks Loop trail in Moab
If you are headed to Moab for mountain biking, chances are you’re hoping to roll over some of that legendary slickrock. Or maybe catch an incredible canyon-rim view. Or maybe find some technical rock trails. Or maybe you just want to give your legs a serious workout and forget about everything except what’s over the…
Mountain biking Green River’s Athena Trail
Put Green River, Utah on your map of mountain biking destinations. The Athena Trail officially opened on March 17th, 2018 and is the first of many trails the city hopes to build in the coming years. I finally got an opportunity to ride this 5.5-mile loop and it is a lot of fun. The terrain…
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…
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…
Backcountry Touring in Utah’s Hoodoo Country
If you close your eyes and imagine Southern Utah’s red rock canyon terrain, what do you see? Painted cliffs of yellow, orange and red, crumbling rock spires, groves of juniper and… backcountry skiers and snowboarders? Perhaps that last one seems out of place, and rightly so. Hoodoo country isn’t your typical ski touring terrain, and…
Backcountry skiing Mount Aire in Parleys Canyon
Mount Aire, located in Parley’s Canyon, is a moderate peak with an easy approach and numerous options for a fun descent. The climb up is somewhat mellow and relaxing, if you don’t mind a bit of bushwacking down low followed by an undulating ridgeline ascent to the summit. Add in the constant drone of cars…
Hiking Half Dome in Yosemite National Park
“Would you like Half Dome permits?” asked the ranger a second time. Apparently, my girlfriend and I had not recognized his initial offer as legitimate. It was our first day in Yosemite National Park, and we had already accepted the fact that we would not be standing on top of one of the nation’s most…
Backcountry skiing from Puffer Lake Yurt in the Tushar Mountains
“You guys know you have to pack out leftovers you pack in, right?” I nod in affirmation as Todd Chamberlain, a guide with Tushar Mountain Tours, loads cases of beer onto a sled. Clearly, he’s doubtful that six guys can put away all these fine microbrews in just two nights. But after running out of beer…
Ice climbing the Willard Canyon Waterfall
Willard Canyon is a remarkably rugged canyon that’s home to a beautiful cascading waterfall that usually ices over in late December or early January, offering an easy yet adventurous climb. I am a total rookie when it comes to ice, but I live in Willard and have always had this route on my adventure bucket list….