Hiking and biking season is here! There are lots of activities to choose from. Feeling adventurous? Try climbing or canyoneering.
With some snowpack still in place, choosing the right trail is key. Look for lower elevation trails between now and late May. Below are some ideas to get you started hiking and biking this spring:
Salt Lake City
The lifts turn at Snowbird for one more week closing on Mother's Day, meanwhile, you can hike and bike throughout the lower sections of the mountains. A few favorite hikes are the Bells Canyon Trail, Mount Wire, Mount Olympus Trail (strenuous), and Lake Blanche Trail. Of these, Lake Blanche is at the highest elevation and may include some snow into May or June.
Park City
Park City offers a delightful mix of history, full-service ski/summer resorts, and spectacular biking and hiking. To find hiking trails and maps, visit the Mountain Trails Foundation. For biking beta, check out Mountain Biking Park City. Last year I tried mountain biking for the first time at Canyons – ah-maz-ing! And their mountain biking instruction is first rate.
Ogden Area
Located just north of Salt Lake City, Ogden is a destination for hikers, climbers and mountain bikers. During the spring, select lower trails, but as summer melts away the snow around mid-June, check out the 26 miles of hiking and biking trails at Snowbasin.
The Visit Ogden website has a good list of hiking trails and links to more activities. This is an area I haven’t explored much (yet) so I’d love your recommendations as well! Simply leave a comment below.
Southern Utah
Spring in Southern Utah is epic. The temperatures are perfect and you have a good chance of seeing desert blooms. This area is home to Utah’s “Mighty 5” parks. This is also one of the top destinations in the world for mountain biking.
Capital Reef National Park is one of my favorites because it is less developed and stunningly beautiful. Easy hikes in this park are Cassidy Arch, Hickman Bridge, and Grand Wash. If you have a full day and two cars (or a shuttle) hike through the park along Pleasant Creek.
Southern Utah ski resorts Brian Head and Eagle Point offer a range of summer fun, including hiking, biking, concerts, and festivals. Additionally, Zion and Bryce National Parks are convenient day trips from both resorts.
Follow this link to learn more about Utah’s Mighty 5® National Parks, including itineraries.
I’m already haunting the trails around Salt Lake City and plan to hike Mount Olympus again next week. Where will I find you?
