Big Cottonwood ~ Snowshoe 101

God blessed us with a wonderful day playing in the snow. The sun broke through the cold cloudy day. It was fun creating new trails in the fresh snow.

 Mill D South Fork to Spruces loop 

Parking ~ Mill D South Fork near the gate to the road. 

Description ~ We parked near the sledding hill and went towards Jordan Pines. After crossing the hill we made a loop around the Spruces campground. Then we returned back. We stayed away from the avalanche areas. 

Hike time ~ 2 hours to do the loop. 

Ratings ~ Newbies 

Restroom ~ Most of the campground outhouses are locked during the winter. You'll find a heated restroom at the Spruces campground at the half way point. Big Cottonwood Canyon is a protected watershed area. (No dogs allowed). 

Gear ~ Snow boots, wool or wick dry socks, dress in layers, water, gators or snow pants, insulated gloves, sunglasses, suncreen, and a warm hat. Bring a day pack to hold extra clothing, matches, energy snack and any avalanche gear. Make sure you bring poles when you snowshoe! 

Frostbite ~ Make sure you hydrate yourself and drink plenty of water before any winter activity. Also, have some water during and after hiking. 

Big Cottonwood Canyon ~ Fort Union Blvd. & Wasatch Blvd; Salt Lake City, Utah.

Echo Reservoir ~ Mountain biking Rail Trail

One of the most scenic mountain bike rides and what a great day God gave. This cool and sunny day wasn't crowded at all. It was a time of relaxation away from the crowded city. Cottonwood trees were painted with Autumn colors.

ECHO RESERVOIR STATE PARK

DESCRIPTION: Enjoy a family adventure on the Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail, riding by the shore of beautiful Echo Reservoir. This non-motorized trail is shared with horses and hikers. Travel north on the trail to Echo Reservoir.

RATINGS: Newbies

RIDE TIME: 1 to 2 hours,

MILEAGE: 7 miles round trip

MEET PLACE: Coalville Rail Trail parking DIRECTIONS: 1 hour drive from SLC:

• Take I - 80 east bound toward Wyoming,
• take Coalville exit 162,
• then turn right toward town,
• turn left on Main Street, (north)
• drive through town,
• turn left at 200 North (drive west)
• Coalville Rail Trail parking lot is on the right.

RESTROOMS are available at Coalville parking lot. 

KIDS are welcome if you supervise them, & if they wear helmets. 

BIKES: Mountain bikes or dirt bicycles. RATINGS: All levels of bike riders are welcome. 

GEAR: make sure you bring a helmet, pump, sunscreen, bug spray, extra tube, water, energy snacks, sunscreen, gloves, jacket & bike tools. Thorn liners are highly recommended for your tires.

UNION PACIFIC RAIL TRAIL

PROVO CANYON PARKWAY

God gave us an incredible day riding up the Provo Parkway seeing beautiful orange leaves and granite mountains. Indian Summer is here! It was cool in the shade; but warm in the sun.

PROVO CANYON PARKWAY

DESCRIPTION Enjoy biking over a wooden railroad bridge, going under a tunnel, through parks, a campground and even Bridal Veil Falls. Easy enough for all level of riders and safe enough for kids. This is a three lane paved parkway. One lane is designated for walking, while the other two are for bicycles. 

RATINGS: Newbies 

RIDE TIME: 1 3/4 hours 

MILEAGE: 5.75 miles paved parkway (each way) to Vivian Park and back. 

DRIVING DIRECTIONS from SLC: (50 mins)

• take I-15 south to Orem
• take 800 North exit 272
• (turn left and drive toward the mountains)
• make sure you are in the left lane when you get close to the mountains.
• Slow down and do not enter Provo Canyon.
• Turn left (near Subway/gas station) onto "Provo Canyon Parkway."

GEAR: Make sure you wear a helmet, bring a jacket, water, bike gloves, and energy snacks. Bring tools to change a flat too!

FRARY PEAK

Ever escape to an Island, peaceful, with great views. God blessed us with a warm Summer day in Autumn. 

FRARY PEAK

DESCRIPTION: Enjoy great views of the Great Salt Lake hiking to the highest point on Antelope Island. You'll see bison, lizards, breathtaking views, and colorful rocks along the trail. Visit Antelope Island ~ Utah State Park. 

TAKING A BREAK, HALF WAY UP

DIRECTIONS: From SLC, take I-15 northbound, take exit 332, Antelope Drive, turn left and travel west to Antelope Island State Park. Listen to 530 AM for park information. Take the Garr Ranch road on the Island, and slow down and watch out for bison. Look for a paved road on the right, which will take you to the trailhead parking area. 

FEE: Entrance fee per vehicle. 

MILEAGE: 3.3 miles to 6,596' Frary Peak. 

RATINGS: Intermediate ~ 3 miles from trailhead to Antenna Hill, and .3 miles from Antenna Hill to Frary Peak, difficult stair climb.

STAIRS TO SUMMIT UP OLD TRAIL

Hike is not recommended for kids or beginners. We did see some superkids, families & elderly making it to the summit; but this is a hard hike. 

RESTROOMS: Are available at the park entrance & visitor center and Frary Peak road horse parking.

DRIVE TIME: From entrance to trailhead allow 30 minutes. Allow 1 hour drive from SLC. 

HIKE TIME: 3 1/2 hours to summit and 2 hours return to trailhead parking. 

TOTAL TIME: From entrance gate & back ~ allow 7 hours. GEAR: Desert hiking gear ~ extra water (including water in your vehicle when you return), energy snacks, fruits, sack lunch, hiking poles, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and toilet kit. 

FRARY PEAK

AUTUMN HIKE to DOG LAKE

God does not dwell in buildings made with hands. What a wonderful Sunday afternoon hike, one day before Autumn.

MILLCREEK CANYON

DESCRIPTION: This is a gentle 3 mile climb to the top, where you'll meet the Desolation trail. Dog Lake is another .1 mile down the hill. We took the trailhead from the lower parking lot and returned down the Great Western trail to the upper parking area. 

MILEAGE: 3.1 miles to Dog Lake ~ 1,150' e.g. RATINGS: Moderate 

HIKE TIME: 3 1/2 hours 

MILLCREEK CANYON: Odd days are dog days off leash & Even are mountain biking.

DIRECTIONS: The upper Millcreek parking lots are often crowded. We encourage people to carpool from the Millcreek park-n-ride on Wasatch Blvd. and 3900 South (gravel lot). Millcreek Canyon can be found at 3800 South & Wasatch Blvd. Drive to the top of the canyon & park. 

FEE: per vehicle leaving the canyon. 

DOG LAKE

DOGS are welcome up the Millcreek Canyon; but not allowed in Big Cottonwood watershed.

FETCHING A STICK

DOGS HAVE FUN

LEGACY PARKWAY

God gave us a warm sunny day. The trail had beautiful sunflowers and colorful conglomerate rock. 

LEGACY PARKWAY

Woods Cross to Lagoon Station loop DESCRIPTION: The new Legacy Parkway is open! This makes a great bike ride, no matter where you start. From 500 South Trailhead in Woods Cross, ride your bike on the sidewalk east over the Legacy Highway bridge, where you'll see the trail. Along the trail are benches. The trail on the west side of the highway is the Nature Preserve trail, if you enjoy walking on gravel & dirt. RIDE TIME: 2 hours RESTROOMS: There are no restrooms available. Find a nearby gas station. RATINGS: Moderate, with 50' elevation gain. KIDS may be able to ride. 

DIRECTIONS:

• From Salt Lake City,
• take I-15 northbound to Bountiful,
• take exit 316 (Woods Cross)
• turn left, travel 1.8 miles west
• 500 South Trailhead, located west of Legacy Highway
• From Ogden
• take I-15 southbound
• take the Legacy Highway
• take 500 South exit
• turn right, and look for the parking lot on the west side.

SOLITUDE DISC GOLF

It is wonderful to praise God in the mountains. He gave us fantastic views and even a few autumn leaves. This was the last weekend in Summer. What a refreshing day.

SOLITUDE SKI RESORT

DESCRIPTION: Enjoy an 18 hole disc golf course at the Solitude Ski Resort in Utah. Ride the chair lift up to begin and follow the signs all the way down. Playing disc golf is more exercise than hiking. 

SOLITUDE DISC GOLF

GROUP SIZE: Keep your group small to play through the holes faster. 

RATINGS: Moderate 

DIRECTIONS: Drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon 14 miles to the Solitude Ski Resort. 

RESTROOMS at Solitude. There are none on the course. 

FEES: chairlift ride, rent discs or bring your own discs.

GEAR: Bring at least 2 discs, small day pack, water, jacket and snacks. 

PICNIC: There are picnic tables at several of the holes, bring your lunch & enjoy God's mountains. 

PLAY TIME: 3 to 3 1/2 hours for 18 holes. 

Combo & Got Milk ~ Mtn Biking

Fun, fun, fun, coasting down the desert singletrack near Vernal, Utah. What a blessing to be in a peaceful place with God.

McCOY FLATS BLM TRAIL

DESCRIPTION: From the corral, look for the sign "Combo Trail." Head north. You'll come to a fork in the trail for "Cookies," make sure you take the left singletrack which heads toward the paved road. A small bike marks the beginning of "Got Milk." It's easy to get lost. Make sure you bring a printed map. For maps and complete directions visit Utah Singletrack com. 

DIRECTIONS: McCoy Flat Road is near mileage marker 138 on US 40. Look for the stop sign & paved road on the south side of the highway. Drive southbound for 3.1 miles and park at the corral. 

MOUNTAIN BIKING VERNAL, UTAH

RATINGS:

Combo ~ Moderate,
Got Milk ~ Intermediate technical
MILEAGE:
Combo ~ 4 miles, 250' e.g.
Got Milk ~ 4.82 miles, 250' e.g.
RIDE TIME: 2 hours total for the loop. TRAILHEAD: McCoy Flat Road Corral, Vernal, Utah  BLM AREA.

RETAIL SALE ~ Mtn Biking

God blessed us with a cool day in the desert and great fellowship. Mountain biking in Vernal is a lot of fun. Rolling trails, and sagebrush.

McCOY FLATS BLM TRAIL

DESCRIPTION: Across the road from the corral, head down the Jeep road and turn right on a singletrack. Look for the sign "Retail Sale." The trail descend a steep hill. This trail connects with two other trails: "Fire Sale" an advance technical short cut, and "Got Milk." It's easy to get lost. Make sure you bring a printed map. For maps and complete directions visit Utah Singletrack com.

MOUNTAIN BIKING VERNAL, UT

DIRECTIONS: McCoy Flat Road is near mileage marker 138 on US 40. Look for the stop sign & paved road on the south side of the highway. Drive southbound for 3.1 miles and park at the corral. 

RATINGS: Intermediate technical

MILEAGE: 7.8 mile loop

RIDE TIME: 2 1/2 hours

TRAILHEAD: McCoy Flat Road Corral, Vernal, Utah- BLM area.

Mysterious Dinosaur Adventure

God is awesome! Wonderful fellowship! Great adventures in Flaming Gorge and Dinosaurland. Three nights camping in the Ashley National Forest.

DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT

FOSSIL DISCOVERY TRAIL

YOU'LL ENJOY IT BETTER IF YOU HIKE WITH A RANGER.  OTHERWISE, LOOK FOR THE WHITE ARROWS POINTING TO THE DINOSAUR BONES.

DINOSAUR BONE

                          

FLAMING GORGE

RED CANYON VISITOR CENTER

MEADOW PARK

UTE TOWER

FUN PLACE TO VISIT

SWETT RANCH NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

UTAH FIELDHOUSE OF NATURAL HISTORY

DINOSAUR MUSEUM

McCOY FLAT MOUNTAIN BIKING ADVENTURES

CAMPING IN ASHLEY NATIONAL FOREST

We enjoyed campfires, BBQ's, stargazing, and a Bible study of Proverbs 31.

WATER PUMP 

SUNSET PEAK

We had a wonderful time with Jesus today and enjoyed the views. We prayed along the way and had the peak to ourselves.

SUNSET PEAK

 DIRECTIONS: Drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon. At the booth in Alta they will let you know if there is parking available at the trailhead; otherwise you may have to park your car and take the free Summer shuttle up or hike up. 

SUNSET PEAK FROM ALTA

DESCRIPTION: Enjoy breathe-taking scenery of Little Cottonwood and beautiful flowers. You'll climb up 1 mile ~ 800' e.g. to Catherine's Pass where you'll see Catherine Lake and Brighton. This is a good place for a break. You'll enjoy walking by Pine trees up the sandy beach to the saddle. Get your camera out for panoramic shots of the lakes below. The hike to the summit took 1 hour 20 minutes and 1 hour back down. 

RATING: MODERATE ~ 1248' elevation gain 

MILEAGE: 1.5 miles to 10,648' summit. 

HIKE TIME: Allow 3 hours. 

GEAR: make sure you bring a jacket, water, sack lunch, energy snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, hiking pole, and first aid. WATERSHED: No dogs are allowed in Little or Big Cottonwood Canyons.

LAKE CATHERINE

WHITE PINE & BERRIES

God blessed us with cool weather, and gave us a day of healing. We had a time of prayer. The wildflowers were incredible!  

WHITE PINE LAKE

DESCRIPTION: A half day hike up to a beautiful granite rock lake on an old Jeep road. Enjoy wildflowers, shaded forest, and berries on the trail. There are fantastic views of Little Cottonwood Canyon from the top.

BERRIES

DIRECTIONS: Drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon to the White Pine trailhead. 

HIKE TIME: Allow 7 hours 

RATING: Intermediate ~ 2460' e.g. ~ 4.1 miles to lake. Not recommended for kids or beginner hikers. 

LITTLE COTTONWOOD HIKE

GEAR: make sure you bring a jacket, plenty of water, sack lunch, bug spray, energy snacks, sunscreen, hat, hiking pole, and hiking gear. WATERSHED: No swimming, no wading, and no dogs allowed in Little Cottonwood Canyon.