Utah Travel Headlines Blog

Timpanogos Cave Will Open Saturday; Snow Cleared From Trail

2008-05-08T15:22:00.000-07:00

Timpanogos Cave will open as scheduled Saturday because employees and volunteers spent some 1,128 hours shoveling snow from the trail. Park officials had expressed doubts earlier that the massive snowpack, said to be the deepest in 25 years, could be cleared in time. Drifts were up to 15 feet deep in some areas.

Park officials say they're now down to bare asphalt on the trail, which climbs 1,160 feet from the parking area to the cave entrance. The cave it located in the mountains northeast of Provo.

Timpanogos Cave is a national monument and is managed by the National Park Service.

Snowbird Extends Skiing, May Be Open Into Summer

2008-05-07T15:29:00.001-07:00

(The information below was provided as a news release by Ski Utah.)

SNOWBIRD, UTAH – With more than 11 feet of snow on the ground at mid-mountain, Snowbird announced today it will extend its season into June and possibly beyond.

Snowbird President Bob Bonar said today he feels confident the resort will be able to offer skiing and riding daily through Sunday, May 11, and then Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through June 1 (including Monday, May 26, Memorial Day).

“With last week’s storm and additional precipitation this week it looks like we’ll have plenty of snow for great skiing through the last weekend of May, beginning of June,” said Bonar. “We will continue to offer skiing and riding as long as the conditions are safe, enjoyable and there’s interest.”

Snowbird lifts have run as late as July 4 in two previous seasons. Bonar said this week it is too early to know if that’s a possibility this year.

Previously not scheduled to operate for the remainder of the spring schedule, the Little Cloud chairlift began operating today and will continue to do so for the remainder of the spring schedule along with Peruvian Express, Mineral Basin Express and Peruvian Tunnel. The resort is open for skiing and riding 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Sunday, May 11. Beginning May 16, the hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lift tickets are $59.

The Aerie and Atrium restaurants, both located in the Cliff Lodge, celebrate Mother’s Day with brunches beginning at 9 a.m. in the Aerie and 10:30 a.m. in the Atrium. For reservations call (801) 933-2181.

Spring vacation packages and additional information about operating days and hours are available at http://www.snowbird.com/.

Register Now for the Golf Wasatch Long Day Challenge

2008-05-06T16:05:00.001-07:00

The Long Day Challenge is a four-person team scramble golf tournament set in scenic Heber Valley. It is scheduled for June 20-21.

It will be held on Heber's three distinctive, award-winning golf courses, and will include 72 total teams, 288 players and 45 holes.

The first place team will win a golf trip to Pinehurst NC, to stay in a luxury home provided by The Markers - Golfers Residence Club.

Tournament Overview
Tournament Details
Registration

Golf Wasatch website

New Visitor Center In Monument Valley

2008-05-02T11:08:00.002-07:00

A new visitor center in Monument Valley will officially open on May 5, 2008, as the keys to the $2.8 million facility are handed from Utah to the Navajo Nation during a sunrise ceremony. The Navajo Parks and Recreation Department will operate the facility, located at the Monument Valley Tribal Park entrance on U.S. 191 at the Utah-Arizona border.

“We are delighted this state of the art facility is opening for travelers. The ability to assist the 500,000 visitors attracted to Monument Valley each year is invaluable,” says San Juan County Visitor Services director Charlie Delorme. “Personal interaction will allow us to share information with our guests not only about the valley, but also additional Utah travel destinations.”

For more information on the Monument Valley area, contact Charlie Delorme at (435) 587-3235 ext. 5006.

See Our New Moab Pages

2008-04-30T14:14:00.000-07:00

At utah.com, we have expanded and improved our Moab section, adding a tremendous amount of new information and photographs.

See the new pages here: www.utah.com/moab/

We are slowly going through each section of our website, adding new content as we also improve the organization and usability of the site. So far we've improved these sections: Park City, Salt Lake City, St George and now Moab. We are also working to improve our national park pages.

We are working with photographers to get new images on the site. We're adding photo galleries for each major destination. We'll also be adding more video clips.

We are also working to post more information about hiking trails. We are putting trail information into a database so it is easy to manage, and also easy for readers to find. We now have comprehensive information about virtually all maintained trails in the national parks and we are working hard to add popular trails outside of the parks.

In addition to good information, we also want to have photos and video clips showing popular trails. We are adding those things as rapidly as we can.

We welcome comments and suggestions as we work to improve this website.

FrontRunner Train Eases Travel Between Salt Lake And Ogden

2008-04-29T13:42:00.000-07:00

It looks like Utah's new FrontRunner commuter rail service will be popular, and will help ease travel between Ogden and Salt Lake City.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports:

"UTA is expecting about 6,000 daily riders once people start paying fares on Thursday. But the initial rush of riders has been encouraging, Bohnsack-Ware said.

UTA continues to work out kinks with FrontRunner's free wireless Internet access, which has been spotty in the first days. The system should be fully functional within a week, Bohnsack-Ware said."

The Deseret Morning News reports:

Utah Transit Authority officials are hailing today as a day of success for FrontRunner, the just-opened commuter rail line between Ogden and Salt Lake City.

"It's better than expected today," Bohnsack-Ware said.

See UTA's map and schedules for FrontRunner

Ride 'Em, Cowgirl In Utah

2008-04-28T15:53:00.001-07:00

The London Times looked at the best travel articles it published during the past year and selected 10 all American travel stories.

At number 3 on the list, "Ride 'em, cowgirl in Utah."

With a favorable exchange rate, the paper says interest is high in travelling to the US. Writer Lisa ter Haar describes her family adventure. Here's her introduction:

"There’s a time to be born, a time to die, and a time to walk on the wild side and spend 10 days in the cowboy state of Utah on a cattle drive, eating dust like the early American settlers. The mothers among them would have been lucky to see a half century, given childbirth and heavy labour.

"But, 150 years on, as a fiftysomething financially independent single mother of two teenagers, I aimed to “cowboy up” and move 810 Angus cattle 100 miles from their summer grazing south of Alton to the north rim of the Grand Canyon."

Read the complete article.

Nonstop Flights From Utah to Amsterdam and Tokyo?

2008-04-25T15:37:00.000-07:00

The mega-merger of Delta and Northwest airlines may expand international travel options, possibly allowing nonstop frights from Utah to Amsterdam and Tokyo.

Delta has already committed to a flight between Salt Lake and Paris, beginning on June 2.

The Salt Lake Tribune has this new article on possibilities arising because of the merger. Below are excerpts.

Richard Anderson, Delta's chief executive officer, and Ed Bastian, president of the Atlanta-based carrier, met with Salt Lake-based employees, government officials and LDS Church leaders during a daylong series of appearances that culminated four days of meetings around the country to drum up support for the merger.

"Amsterdam is Northwest's gateway throughout Europe, and we've connected Salt Lake to Paris. We haven't run the numbers, but I think there is a possibility that when we do run the numbers, we are going to see Salt Lake-to-Amsterdam also works," Bastian told The Salt Lake Tribune.

Bastian said a route to Tokyo's Narita International Airport also is possible but presents a bigger challenge. Delta would need a bigger, more expensive jet to reach Japan from Salt Lake, possibly a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which is scheduled to enter service in 2009.

Read the entire article.

Great Salt Lake Bird Festival

2008-04-23T14:18:00.000-07:00

The Great Salt Lake Bird Festival will run May 15-19, 2008.

The festival provides a chance for people to learn about and see a wide range of birds and animals. It includes workshops, displays, field trips and other activities. Hawkwatch International will conduct one workshop. The festival is centered at the Davis County Events Center, 151 South 1100 West, Farmington, Utah.

The wetlands around the Great Salt Lake are important habitat for migrating birds, and also local populations. Festival field trips go to wetland sites, and also to other productive birding sites around the region.

The keynote speaker this year will be Bruce Thompson, a natural science education specialist. Writer Rosalie Winard will be a special guest at the festival.

See the festival website for more details.

Lake Powell Offers Hot Spring Fishing

2008-04-21T12:50:00.001-07:00

Fishing success is excellent at Lake Powell right now and the fast action should continue for the next several weeks.

Striped bass, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass are the most popular game fish in the big lake, and action is great for all of them right now. Walleye, crappie, bluegill and channel catfish are also commonly caught.

Striped bass are over-abundant in the lake and anglers are encouraged to harvest them to help keep the predator-prey balance healthy. They are easy to catch right now and people are filling up coolers in a hurry. 100-fish days are common.

The striped bass are concentrated near the dam, along sheer cliffs in the main channel, and in the backs of canyons. People are catching them all over the lake.

Smallmouth and largemouth are nesting in rocks spots coming into shallow water. Anglers often catch them working crank baits or jigs near shore.

Small shad are the primary forage fish in the lake. Cast a Rapala or other shad-imitating lure near rocks or brush in the back of a canyon and you may catch any of the game fish in the lake.

The spring air temperature at Powell is great right now - it will be pushing into the 80s (F) during the next weeks. The water temperature is still cool (55-65 deg F). People are starting to ski and play in the water, but most are wearing some kind of insulated suite. By June the water will be delightful.

We are updating our fishing report weekly, so watch it for timely info about fishing around Utah.

For specific info on Powell, this report has excellent information. That site also has this page with catch reports.

Huge Snowpack Will Bring Great Whitewater Rafting

2008-04-18T11:03:00.001-07:00

Whitewater rafting will be exceptional in Utah this season, thanks to the massive snowpack on the mountains above the Colorado and Green rivers. The snow is now melting, raising river levels, setting the stage for great adventure in late May and early June.

Holidayextras.co.uk has this article about the upcoming season. Here are tidbits:

Ski enthusiasts have enjoyed an outstanding ski season and once the snow melts there will be no stopping the Colorado River, particularly in Utah where there are no dams to control the released water.

According to US adventure specialists Tag-A-Long Expeditions, such high water only occurs about once every ten years. They expect the Colorado River to peak between 12 May and 16 June 2008. The company is offering various rafting packages to Cataract Canyon in Canyonlands National Park, Utah. The 100 mile journey between Moab, Utah and Lake Powell takes in 28 Grand Canyon style rapids.

Now's the time to book river trips.

Moab Outdoor Photography Symposium

2008-04-16T10:46:00.000-07:00

Top nature and landscape photographers will share tips at the annual Moab Outdoor Photography Symposium, scheduled to run May 1-4. Workshops are filling up so interested people should register immediately.

The Rocky Mountain News has this new article on the symposium. Here are excerpts:

The fifth annual Moab Outdoor Photography Symposium is coming up May 1-4, and it's a pleasant blend of outdoor workshops and indoor seminars and presentations. Expert photographers inspire with their work and their words. And the seminar topics offer guidance and tips for novices as well as more technically savvy shooters.

The symposium also allows for lots of feedback on your own work, which you can show in the participants' exhibit and/or present digitally to your fellow seminar members.

When: May 1-4
Cost: $125 for the seminar, $50 per workshop class, limited to 12 people each. Some are already full.
Where: Moab Art and Recreation Center, 111 E. 100 North, Moab, Utah
Info: Bruce Hucko, photographer and symposium director, 435-259-4176

See the event website for more details.

Salt Lake Marathon Coming April 19th

2008-04-15T10:12:00.001-07:00

The Salt Lake Marathon will take place on Saturday, beginning at 7 am at the University of Utah. The course winds south along the eastern side of Salt Lake Valley to 6200 South and then comes north along Van Winkle and 500 E to end at Liberty Park.

There will be road closures and other restrictions along the route. (See route map.)

Listed Among 12 New Favorite Marathons
The Salt Lake City Marathon was among the 12 new favorites listed by Runner's World in their January 2005 Marathon Guide: "Small Wonders: Big Fun, Big Scenery, Big Rewards." January's Competitor Magazine and Rocky Mountain Sports Magazine cited the Salt Lake City Marathon as "Best Race at Altitude."

Quality of Life Expo
In conjunction with the marathon, a Quality of Life Expo will be held Thursday & Friday at the Salt Palace Convention Center. It will feature a variety of vendors specializing in running related gear, training programs, latest technology, race opportunities, nutrition, race clinics, guest appearances, and much more.

Compromise May Help Settle Southern Utah Wilderness Battle

2008-04-10T10:21:00.000-07:00

The decades-old battle over land use in southern Utah may be a step closer to settlement, with organizations on all sides showing support for a new bill defining management of federal land near St George.

Environmental groups have long pushed to have large parcels of land designated as federally protected wilderness. Many other groups oppose such a designation because it would prohibit construction of new roads and block development, including oil and mining activities.

The two sides have been deadlocked for years, not willing to even consider compromise. But this new bill is gaining a broad base of support. The Deseret Morning News reports on the bill in this article. Below are excerpts.

"After five years at the table with all interested stakeholders, Congressman (Jim) Matheson and I have produced a bill that successfully strikes a balance between conservation and growth in Washington County," (Senator Bob) Bennett said in a statement. "Parties on all sides of this debate have repeatedly told me it would be impossible to broker a deal on this emotional issue which, for decades, has caused people to dig in their heels. The persistence we've applied now appears to be paying off as our bill has gained extremely diverse support and a very good chance of passing."

264,394 acres of land would be added to the National Wilderness Preservation System, increasing the amount of wilderness acreage in the county from 3.5 percent to 20.5 percent.

The creation of two National Conservation Areas to provide 140,000 acres for the protected desert tortoise, as well as recreational uses.

A proposed utility corridor for the Lake Powell pipeline and a northern transportation corridor are not included, although Bennett said these changes could be made through the administration.

Designation of 165 miles of the Virgin River as a Wild and Scenic River, the first one in Utah.

"It is going to change the landscape of southwestern Utah," he (Washington County Commission Chairman Jim Eardley) said. "We are going to protect the off-highway routes we already have and will try to respect and protect the mining claims. We also hope to ensure the transportation and utility route rights-of-way are maintained. We need to do that in order to manage our growth."

Hike Devils Canyon and the San Rafael Knob

2008-04-09T09:30:00.002-07:00

I enjoyed a fun hike last weekend, although it was more strenuous than expected and I'm still sore. It was great to get out into the desert, work the muscles and breath clean, crisp air.

We hiked up Devils Canyon and then tried to climb the San Rafael Knob (the highest point in the San Rafael Swell). Tried but failed because we were turned back by snow and ice.

It doesn't snow much in the Swell, and the little that falls is usually gone by the end of March, but this year has been cold and wet and there were still patches in shady spots. And patches of ice on the slickrock. To ascend the Knob you have to cross a narrow shelf half-way up the sandstone dome. There is nothing to hang onto and the mountain drops almost vertically below you.

It is a short stretch, usually no big deal, but we allowed the ice to scare us away. We probably could have made it. But "probably" made me uncomfortable. If we "almost certainly" could have made it we would have conquered the dome that day.

Going up is usually easy. Coming down, with gravity adding momentum to every step, it would have been dicey. We almost certainly could have made it up, and we probably could have made it down. But we choose caution and turned back.

Devils Canyon is a beautiful labyrinth just south of I-70, on the west side of the Swell. It contains several narrow sections that are fun to explore. You get into the canyon by taking Exit 114 (Moore cutoff), driving over Justensen Flats and then dropping down into the canyon.

The road into the canyon is extremely rough. If you have a 4X4 vehicle modified for off-road, you can drive to the bottom. In our stock four-wheel drive pickup, we parked halfway down the cliff and walked to the bottom.

You can go up or down the canyon and enjoy great narrows. Going up (east) the canyon swings around near the base of the Knob, so it is easy to combine the canyon and dome into a loop hike.

The Knob gives incredible views of the surrounding countryside. By hiking the slot canyon together with the slickrock dome, you get a good sense of what the San Rafael Swell has to offer. The scenery is comparable to that found in Utah's famous national parks.

The old jeep roads in this area have been opened to ATV riders, and they are becoming very popular. If you are good on an ATV you can ride almost to the base of the Knob. Reaching the top from there it would be a short but strenuous adventure hike.

We have more details and maps showing these areas:
Devils Canyon
San Rafael Knob

Utah Ski Season Winds Down

2008-04-03T14:36:00.002-07:00

We are now closing out the 07/08 ski season, and it has been great by every count. Numbers are still coming in but everyone expects that we've set new records.

Snowbird plans to offer daily skiing through May 11, and then Friday-Sunday through Memorial Day. The 'Bird is famous for prolonging the spring season, and it may stay open longer if we keep getting cold storms.

Other resorts will close during the next couple weeks. Alta will offer skiing daily through April 13, and will re-open for the April 18-20 weekend before shutting down its lifts.

Tentative closing dates are given below, as provided by Ski Utah.
Alta 4/13 + 18-20
Brian Head 4/13
Beaver 3/29
Brighton 4/20
Canyons 4/13
Deer Valley 4/13
PCMR 4/13
Powder 4/20
Snowbasin 4/20
Snowbird 5/26 (Open Fri-Sun only after May 11)
Solitude 4/13
Sundance 4/5
Wolf Mountain 4/12

Moab Festival of Cultures

2008-04-02T15:58:00.002-07:00

Moab will host a unique festival to celebrate the various cultures found in southwestern Utah. The press release below gives detais.

MOAB, Utah—The Moab Valley Multicultural Center hosts the inaugural Festival of Cultures on May 2-4, 2008 on Center Street in downtown Moab. This event celebrates the wide variety of cultures in the Four Corners region and will feature educational speakers and films, a street fair, cultural dance, music and performance art, festival booths and even a parade. This community cultural event begins at 3:45 p.m. on Friday and will conclude around 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Several guest speakers and films will explore topics of multicultural values and perspectives. Scheduled to appear are Lucille Hunt, a noted Navajo storyteller; Tony Yapias, former director of Utah's Office of Hispanic Affairs and editor/publisher of UtahLatinos.com; and Yukio Kachi, retired professor of philosophy and multicultural scholar. Three films that highlight the similarities and differences within cultures will also be shown: Cartas del Otra Lado (Letters from the Other Side); ONE; and Navajo Boy. Public discussions will follow each film screening. A photographic exhibit by Armando Solorzano, associate professor in the Department of Family and Consumer Studies at the University of Utah will be on display in the city offices for viewing during the festival. The exhibit will include photos that illustrate Hispanics in Utah through the past hundred years.

Exhibition booths will feature food, crafts and information: food options will include traditional Mexican dishes, Navajo tacos, Korean delicacies and Thai stir fries; an international bazaar will feature handicrafts from around the world; and a children’s area will be available offering face painting, dancing and music. The parade, scheduled for Friday, will feature participants dancing and performing in their native dress. The Balet Folklorico, Taiko drummers, and Desert Veils have been invited to perform. Sunday’s events will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Mexican food, mariachi music and salsa/merengue dancing. Vendors interested in reserving a booth must submit an application by March 31, 2008. Complete details are available online at www.moabvalleymulticulturalcenter.org/festivalofcultures.

The Festival of Cultures is a community cultural project that would not be possible without the help of several local non-profits. The event is made possible by partnerships and grants from the City of Moab, the Utah Arts Council, the Utah Humanities Council, the Moab Arts Council and the Moab Travel Council. For information on lodging and other activities in the Moab area, including what to see, where to stay, and what to do, visit the Moab Area Travel Council at www.discovermoab.com.

Otter Creek Rainbows and Other Spring Fishing Options

2008-04-01T14:56:00.000-07:00

Spring fishing is picking up in Utah right now, with ice melting from many of our reservoirs and fish becoming more active. The next few weeks will bring some of the best fishing of the year.

Otter Creek Reservoir, in south-central Utah, is ice-free and fishing is good for large rainbows. I fished there Saturday and enjoyed good success. My photo shows one of our larger fish. Most were fat and ran from 13-21 inches. The fish finder showed rainbows all over the reservoir, at all depths, but most of the fish we caught were close to shore. We were in a boat and did well casting along the shoreline.

I fished Piute Reservoir Saturday afternoon and found action slower there. We did catch some nice-sized rainbows, and others have reported fast action. The wind was blowing when we fished and that may have put them down.

Lake Powell is warming up and the smallmouth bass and striper fishing there should be excellent within a couple weeks. Success will stay strong into June.

Action is also picking up on our quality trout streams. Midge and blue wing olive hatches will become prolific on the Green, Provo and other streams during the next few weeks. Runoff will start to interfere with fishing on some streams, but the Green and Provo have tailwater sections that are protected and they should offer good fishing through the spring season.

Willard Bay, Utah Lake and Yuba Reservoir have open water and offer some action for walleye, along with other species. The walleye spawn will be winding down at Willard and Utah Lake. As the fish recuperate they often go on a feeding binge.

Deer Creek, Jordanelle, Rockport and Echo should lose their ice caps during the next couple weeks, and they will all offer good fishing.

Meanwhile, ice fishing continues to be good at Strawberry, Fish Lake, Bear Lake and other waters.

I'm updating fishing conditions weekly on this page.

- Dave Webb

Hiking Little Wildhorse and Bell Canyons

2008-03-27T09:58:00.004-07:00

The weather was perfect last weekend and so I hit the road going south, for a little spring hiking in the San Rafael Swell.

We chose to do a loop hike through a couple of famous slot canyons called Little Wildhorse and Bell. The loop is about 8 miles total, moderately strenuous, and a great adventure for children and youth groups.

The canyon is normally dry but there were mud puddles in Little Wildhorse on this trip. (They will soon evaporate as temperatures continue to rise.) The weather was sunny and mild - not hot and not cold - ideal for hiking, no jacket needed.

The hike requires scrambling up and down some obstacles - mostly rocks and ledges. It isn't a technical hike (you don't need ropes or special gear). I was surprised at the number of hikers we saw with small children. Young kids can certainly toddle along in many spots, but need help over many obstacles. Anyone younger that about 10 years of age will need considerable help.

I was also surprised at the number of people hiking with dogs. All animals encountered were well-behaved and caused no trouble. If you take a dog, be prepared to clean up after it so you don't trash this beautiful canyon.

Our trip occurred over Easter weekend - probably the busiest weekend of the year for recreation in this area. There were about 70 cars at the trailhead. But the canyons were able to accommodate that many people with no problem.

Little Wildhorse has the best narrows and so it is the more popular of the two canyons. Many people hike up it until they start to grow tired and then simple return the way they came in. Others make the complete loop, going either direction.

The narrows in Little Wildhorse are so tight, in some spots you've got to walk sideways to get through. That makes for interesting interactions when you have people going up the canyon at the same time others are coming down. You look for wide spots where you can slip past each other.

There are outhouses at the trailhead, but no other facilities. Some people camp right there, which is fine if you don't mind primitive conditions and close neighbors. There is a very nice developed campground nearby at Goblin Valley, with flush toilets. It fills up very quickly during spring and fall, which are the best times to hike here. (Summers days are very hot.)

People also primitive-camp at various spots along the access road.

This is a fun hike, in a beautiful area. Here's more information about the hike, along with a map.

- Dave Webb

Utah Ranked Among Most Livable States

2008-03-26T13:16:00.000-07:00

Utah is the second most livable state in the US, according to this new ranking by Washington-based CQ Press, the reference and textbook-publishing division of Congressional Quarterly.

The publisher provided the information below to explain the rankings.

Unique among the various rankings of states, our Most Livable State Award does
not focus on any one category of data. Instead it takes into account a broad range of economic, educational, health-oriented, public safety, and environmental statistics.

The 2008 award is based on 44 factors ranging from median household income to crime rate, sunny days to infant mortality rate. The factors used for this year’s award are the same as those used last year.

Now in its 18th year, the Most Livable State Award is issued in conjunction with the publication of each year's new edition of State Rankings.

5 Utah Communities Make Outdoor Life Best Towns List

2008-03-24T14:20:00.000-07:00

Outdoor Life has published this list of the 200 best towns for people who enjoy outdoor recreation. The magazine "evaluated towns across America to find the places that offer world-class hunting and fishing, easy access to public land and water and vibrant economies that remain affordable and hospitable."

Five Utah communities made the list:
Richfield - 11
Logan - 12
Cedar City - 15
Vernal - 23
Price - 105

The Deseret Morning News has this article on the list. Below are excerpts:

"Richfield is thrilled to be named by Outdoor Life Magazine as the 11th best place to live for outdoor recreation enthusiasts," said Kevin Arrington of the Sevier County Travel Council, based in Richfield. "Opportunities to hunt elk, deer, antelope, waterfowl and other species abound."

He said Fishlake, Johnson's Reservoir, and numerous small lakes and streams offer outstanding fishing for all types of trout.

Wolves Return to Utah

2008-03-21T09:10:00.001-07:00

Wolves are making headlines in Utah, after a pack was spotted in the NE part of the state, near Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

It's the first time in almost 100 years that a pack has been seen here. They are apparently descendents of the Yellowstone wolves, out wandering around as they expand their territory.

The pack apparently left the state without setting up a den. But they, or their relatives, will undoubtedly come back

Many people consider this great news, showing the once endangered animals are doing well in the Mountain West. Others fear the wolves will bring trouble - harming livestock and endangering humans.

There has been considerable controversy about wolves expanding their territory in Wyoming and Idaho. The animals are protected within Yellowstone Park, but numbers outside the park have grown to the point that those states are considering allowing limited wolf hunting.

KUTV has this report about the Utah sighting. Below are excerpts.

Experts haven't found the wolves, but they did find tracks and received a response to a digital howl recording.

"Our biologists are pretty certain they are wolves,'' Mark Hadley, a spokesman for the Division of Wildlife Resources, said Thursday.

The last known wolf pack roamed Utah in the late 1920s or '30s. The animals were killed to protect ranchers' livestock. Many sportsmen and ranchers still fear a wolf comeback would threaten livestock and large game.

World Championship Dutch Oven Cook-Off

2008-03-19T14:33:00.002-07:00

Many Utahns love their Dutch ovens, and have learned to create a wide assortment of creative dishes using the old black pots. Some get so involved in the culinary artistry that they join clubs to share recipies and participate in friendly, competitive cook-offs.

The International Dutch Oven Society held its World Championship Cook-Off last Saturday at the International Sportsmen's Expo in Sandy. The winners impressed judges with their flat iron steak and smoky potato stars, raspberry twist bread and tiramisu cake.

Each team prepared a desert, bread and main dish. The second-place winners made Southwest Chipotle BBQ Ribs. BBQ ribs also scored for the third place team.

The Deseret Morning News has this article about the cook-off.

Dutch ovens are great for camping. Most people use charcoal briquettes as the heat source, putting some on top the lid and others under the oven to provide an even temperature. You control the temperature by varying the number of briquettes. Experienced Dutch oven chefs can cook virtually anything.

Food cooks slowly in Dutch ovens, allowing flavors to intermingle, and meats to become tender.

It's a great way to cook, both at home and in the wilderness.

Zion's Cliffs and Canyons in Springtime

2008-03-17T14:00:00.002-07:00

Officially, spring starts on March 20, but in reality it has been spring in southwestern Utah for several weeks. The fruit trees are in bloom, flowers are budding and the air is warm.

Zion National Park is incredibly beautiful during springtime. The next few weeks will bring ideal conditions for hiking the dry trails in Zion Canyon.

The Silicon Valley Mercury News has this new article about exploring Zion during springtime. It features the hike up Angels Landing - here are details about the hike and here is a video clip showing the adventure.

Below are excerpts from the article.

Cottonwoods lined the river bank, flaunting fresh green leaves that swayed in the breeze over acres of brilliant green grass. Wildflowers were in riotous bloom under the warm desert sun. Kids on spring break splashed in the still-frigid river. Desert this may be, but after a long winter it was a welcoming oasis.

... From there, hikers work their way across a rocky ridge that steadily narrows. It finally becomes a rock fin only a few feet wide, with thousand-foot drops on each side. Fixed chains set into the rock allow a safety grip on exposed sites for those traversing the edge of the fin, but it can be a terrifying ordeal for those who fear heights. It also is not a hike recommended for young children.

Despite that, it is a crowded trail, with frequent waits at narrow spots for hikers coming the opposite direction. The reward for those who travel the entire rock fin is an unequaled view of the Zion Canyon 1,500 feet below.

Read the entire article.

'Baselining' Over Hell Roaring Canyon

2008-03-14T11:37:00.000-07:00

Extreme sports enthusiast Dean Potter is attempting to walk a tightrope over Hell Roaring Canyon (located just north of Canyonlands National Park).

The New York Times says the effort is an example of a new extreme sport called baselining - walking a tightrope at extreme heights.

The Times has this feature story about the attempt, with photos and a video clip.

So far, Potter has not been successful - parachuting to safety after losing his balance. But he intends to keep trying. Below are excerpts from the story.

This was something else entirely for Dean Potter, one of the world’s best climbers, barefoot in the dying sun last Friday, walking between ledges of a U-shaped rim above Hell Roaring Canyon, a 400-foot sheer sandstone wall on his right, a 900-foot drop to a dry riverbed on his left. No leash tethered him to the rope. Nothing attached him to earth but the grip of his size-14 feet and the confident belief that, if needed, his parachute would open quickly and cleanly and not slam him into the canyon wall.

"When there’s a death consequence, when you are doing things that if you mess up you die, I like the way it causes my senses to peak, "Potter said. "I can see more clearly. You can think much faster. You hear at a different level. Your foot contact on the line is accentuated. Your sense of balance is heightened. I don’t seem to feel that very often meditating."

Read the entire article.