Utah Rivers Are High and Dangerous

Warm temperatures this weekend will bring extra runoff into our streams and rivers. Serious flooding is not expected but the rivers will be flowing fast and high, and will be dangerous.

The Deseret Morning News carried this article about high water dangers. Below are excerpts.

"Every year when we have above-normal flows, people die just by using poor judgment," said Brian McInerney, hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Utah.

Near or above record temperatures in the Salt Lake area are expected to reach 85 Saturday, 93 Sunday and 95 on Monday, at a time when the thermometer should be reading closer to 70.

The more dramatic jump in creek and river levels this weekend are expected in northern Utah. Flooding from runoff alone isn't expected, but the rains could cause some waterways to reach flood stage, the National Weather Service is reporting.

McInerney said that, with any rain next week, there may be a greater chance for some localized flooding in newly developed residential areas near a creek or river or in some bench areas. People should be vigilant about keeping an eye on any nearby waterways, especially with children, who are particularly attracted to streams.

Read the entire article.

Wild Outdoors Festival

The two-day Wild Outdoors Festival will be held June 6-7 at Thanksgiving Point. It will feature top-ranked lumberjacks, the world's best speed climbers, and female boom runners. ESPN2 will broadcast four 30-minute programs of this event later in the year.

The festival will showcase all things outdoors. Vendors will provide demonstrations and education; live entertainment will go on throughout the festival, and various activities will be available for guests of all ages.

For more information on local festivals, lodging and dining visit UtahValley.org

Location: Thanksgiving Point,

Zion Trails & Wildflowers

I hiked in Zion National Park over the weekend and had a marvelous time. The air temperature was perfect, warm but not hot, and wildflowers were blooming everywhere. The scenery was spectacular. Now's the time to hike in this popular area.

The Virgin River was high and muddy. The popular Narrows hike is not yet accessible because of the high water. But most tributaries are now running low and clear. Flows in the main river will drop during the next few weeks. I expect the Narrows and other water hikes will open in early June.

Water temperatures are still cold, and will continue to be cold into June. That didn't stop us from looking for a handy swimming hole, after we completed our hike in the sunshine. We jumped in, but didn't stay in the water long. It is still a bit early for canyon hikes where you have to wade or swim long distances. But, again, that will change during the next few weeks.

We hiked up Pine Creek, above Hwy 9, and then up the slickrock toward the pass just below Deertrap Mountain, looking for ancient Native American rock art. We found some there and more in a side canyon farther up Hwy 9.

Orange/red Indian pain brush was in full bloom along the trail, clinging to the sides of sheer cliffs. Cacti were also blooming, in several effulgent colors. The blossoms on most cacti were not yet full - that will come during the next week or two.

As the afternoon waned, we drove back through the tunnel and down the switchbacks, stopped at the bridge and then hiked up Pine Creek the short distance to its waterfall. We played in the water there, and at the deep swimming hole just downstream, cooling off before starting the journey home.

It was a great trip.

- Dave

Timpanogos Cave Will Open Saturday; Snow Cleared From Trail

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

(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

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

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.