Summer Fun In Utah's Ski Canyons

After the snow melts, Utah's famous ski resorts turn into summer playgrounds, offering a wide range of exciting activities. They offer endless opportunity for outdoor recreation plus spa treatments, concerts, shopping and dining, along with extraordinary lodging options.

Many of our resort have already kicked off their summer seasons, and others will follow quickly. Some of the more popular recreational opportunities include:

• Lift-served hiking and biking
• Scenic lift rides
• Alpine slides and coasters
• Zip lines
• Climbing walls
• Championship golf courses nearby

Concerts and special events are held virtually every week throughout the summer, at one resort or another.

Picnic areas and campgrounds can be found in canyons near the resorts.

Wasatch Canyons Backcountry
The canyons that feed into the Salt Lake Valley offer great opportunity for backcountry hiking and backpacking. Since they are close to town, they are excellent for quick afternoon adventures and weekend getaways. They offer something for everyone, from easy strolls along almost level routes to strenuous climbs up steep mountain peaks.

Very popular trails lead to scenic, high-mountain lakes and waterfalls. Less prominent trails probe the forests and mountains in all directions. Marked trails lead to the summits of all of the mountains along the Wasatch Front. Many people enjoy off-trail hiking and backpacking in these areas. There is limitless opportunity for adventure, along with spectacular scenery.

My favorite Wasatch Mountains hikes include:

• Silver Lake, a leisurely stroll around a beautiful lake at Brighton Ski Resort.
• Ensign Peak, an easy hike to a low summit just north of the Utah capitol building in Salt Lake City.
• The Red Pine lakes above Little Cottonwood Canyon.
• Grandeur Peak - one of the most spectacular mountain summits in the area.

Recently, I hiked to Lower Bells Canyon waterfall, located in a steep canyon on the SE side of Salt Lake Valley. It was a great hike to a very beautiful spot. I made the trek on May 13 and was surprised to find snow on the trail at higher elevations.

Utah received an incredible amount of snow during the past winter, and so far it has been slow to melt. The high country is now opening up, but it is always a good idea to check locally to assess current conditions before heading into the backcountry.

National Parks & Monuments
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Early summer is a great time to to explore Monument Valley, located in extreme SE Utah and NE Arizona. The valley is always scenic, featuring iconic rock formations that often appear in Hollywood movies and television truck commercials.

Precipitation was heavy in the area during winter and spring, and so wildflowers are unusually prolific and colorful this season. We are also enjoying a cool spring. Right now it looks like moderate temperatures will continue for the next several weeks. Conditions during June should be excellent.

As you explore here you will see beautiful cacti and a wide assortment of delicate desert flowers.

Monument Valley Must-Do Activities

• It is great fun to take four-wheel drive tours through Monument Valley itself, getting up close and personal with the rock formations.
• It's even more fun to ride horseback along trails that weave between the monuments. John Wayne and numerous movie stars have ridden these very trails, and you feel like you are right there with them.
• You also need to stop at the "Navajo Market," which consists of small shelters along the side of the road where individual craftsmen sell hand-made items. It is fascinating to see the jewelry and other items, made in the traditional way by Native Americans.

Monument Valley is located on Navajo Nation land and is administered by the Tribe. Navajo guides will take you on Jeep safaris and horseback rides.

A new lodge, called The View, is available for overnight stays right at Monument Valley. And it does indeed offer panoramic views of the nearby monuments.

Just a couple miles away, historic Gouldings Lodge also offers fine accommodations. Both facilities include restaurants and gift shops.

If you are looking for a Western American or Native American adventure, Monument Valley is the place.

While in the area, you may also want to visit:

• Four Corners Monument
• Hovenweep National Monument
• Natural Bridges National Monument
• Edge of the Cedars State Park

A good way to explore this region is to drive the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway.

- Dave Webb

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