Bryce Canyon Resort Stay in delightful accommodations just three miles from the entrance to Bryce Canyon, along All-American Scenic Highway 12. We offer affordable motel rooms, suites with fireplaces, log cabin cottages and economy cabins in a resort setting. • Covered pool • Air conditioning • Barbeque pit • Restaurant • Daily maid service • Many other amenities Reservations: 1-866-834-0043 Bryce Canyon ATV Adventure Tours and Rentals is located on-site. Great activities here include: • Guided or do-it-yourself ATV rides • Helicopter tours • Horseback trail rides • Mountain bike rentals Call toll free: 1-866-834-0043

ATVs And Slot Canyons

Spring is bursting out all over Utah right now. Cacti are in bloom throughout our southern deserts, wildflowers are poking up through the red sand in our national parks and snow is rapidly disappearing from our mountain slopes. Snow skiing will fade out by the end of April, replaced by golfing, mountain biking, hiking, camping, jeeping, fishing and other outdoor activities.

Our weather is delightfully warm and sunny, in between occasional April rain showers. Conditions are now perfect for mountain biking Temple Mountain in the San Rafael Swell, hiking the Devil's Garden in Arches National Park, four-wheeling down Hole-in-the-Rock Road through the rugged heart of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, fishing for powerful striped bass on Lake Powell, hitting golf balls between the Joshua trees and sandstone slabs on St. George courses, and dozens of other exciting activities.

I recently had opportunity to ride ATVs through Casto Canyon, a tributary to Red Canyon, a guest of Bryce Canyon ATV Adventure Tours & Rentals. Red Canyon has the same pastel-colored spires and hoodoos that make Bryce famous. The route up Casto Canyon, through Dixie National Forest, is open to ATVs and mountain bikes and provides a great outing in this wonderland. The famous outlaw Butch Cassidy frequented this area and his mystic lingers. Indeed, one guided tour option takes visitors to a cabin he used as a hideout.

We rode ATVs over a decent road as part of a family adventure. Bryce Canyon ATV Adventure Tours offers several ride options, including guided trips on the Paunsaugunt Plateau above beautiful Tropic Reservoir. They offer 3-hour, full-day and multi-day rides. On multi-day trips you can come back to Bryce Canyon Resort for cushy accommodations, or camp near the reservoir. They'll even combine fishing with ATV adventures.

On my trip I also enjoyed hiking slot canyons in the Escalante area. Slot canyons offer an out-of-this-world experience. How do you describe scrambling through canyons so narrow you have to scoot sideways to get through, the canyon walls scraping against both your back and chest? Words just don't do it and so I shot video of my canyoneering adventure in Spooky Gulch, one of my favorite slots. Take a look, if you dare, (and if you have a high speed internet connection and can view Quick Time video).

Hey, is this a fun job or what? Next month I'll be plunging down the mighty Colorado on a whitewater rafting adventure. Incidentally, now's the time to book such trips. With all the snowfall we received over the winter, everyone expects this season to offer the best river trips we've seen in a decade — and trips are filling up fast.

- Dave Webb

Upcoming Major Events

St. George Art Festival, Apr. 18-19. This is the 24th anniversary festival. It offers an incredible selection of original art, entertainment, wandering minstrels, ethnic food booths and a children's arts area. Contact: Leisure Services: 435-634-5850.

Salt Lake City Marathon & 5K, Apr. 24. This event, themed "Run, Bump & Boogie," is destined to be the most spectacular new Marathon & 5 K on the horizon. With a prize purse of $100,000, the Salt Lake City Marathon & 5K is certified and sanctioned through USATF, and is a qualifier event. Contact: Karen Boe: 801-484-8971.

Tour of Canyonlands annual mountain bike race, April 24-25. Contact: Pamela or Eric Jean: 303-432-1519.

Orrin Porter Rockwell Cowboy Poetry Festival, May 7-8, Brigham City. Come hear the finest cowboy poets from around the West! Western displays, booths full of cowboy collectibles for sale, and an authentic Dutch oven dinner. Open mic time Friday and Saturday plus headlines such as Phil Kennington, Stampede, Sam Deleeuw and others. Contact Susan Neidert: 435-723-8769.

Moab Steelbender Triathlon, May 22. Swim 1500m in Ken's Lake (the course is a 2 lap triangle), bike 20k on Flat Pass Trail (nicknamed "The Steelbender"), run 10k in the foothills of Spanish Valley above the city of Moab. This is without a doubt one of the most scenic triathlons ever. Contact Nathan Benson: 801-229-6212.

9/11 Memorial Quilt display will be featured in Panguitch during the town's annual Quilt Walk Festival, June 10-13. The memorial quilt honors the innocent victims who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Blocks making up the quilt incorporate personal memories and characteristics of the victims they represent. The quilt will be displayed at the Triple "C" Arena. It will then continue touring the country and will eventually go on permanent display in New York City.

Park City Marathon, Jun. 12. This 26.2 mile race winds into and beyond Park City. Scenic and challenging, it begins at 6,375 feet and rises to 7,041 at mile 17. It uses 13 miles of trails as it runs through mountain meadows, past ranches, streams and into historic Old Town. Contact Russell Schwartz: 435-647 0314.

Summerfest Art Faire and Music Festival, Jun. 17-19, Logan. Stroll through canopies of shade trees and along wandering streams as you shop booths featuring artists from the Intermountain West. The pathways are lined with Victorian lampposts. The music festival hosts well-known local and regional acts. You can also sample local food specialties such as Dutch-oven cooking, Navajo tacos and more! Phone: 435-716-9244.

National ATV Jamboree will begin June 21 in Fillmore. People from all over the country will enjoy designated rides, food and other events.

Chariots in the Sky Hot Air Balloon Festival will be June 24-27, also in Panguitch. Up to 35 balloons will take to the sky over this scenic area of southern Utah. On Saturday evening the balloons will be set up in the middle of historic Main Street, allowing spectators to see them up close and talk to pilots. There will also be music and other activities. Come get a taste of small town hospitality at these big time events. For more info: 435-676-8585.

Check our comprehensive events listing for other activities.

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