Utah Travel Headlines Blog

Snowbird Is Open, Park City and Brian Head Open Tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:50:00 +0000

Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort opened for skiing and boarding today. Solitude, Brighton and Wolf Creek Utah are already open. Other resorts will open as follows.

Park City Mountain Resort - Nov 21
Brian Head Resort - Nov 21
Snowbasin - Nov 26
The Canyons - Nov 27
Powder Mountain - Nov 29
Deer Valley - Dec 5
Sundance - Dec 11
Alta Ski Area - TBA
Beaver Mountain - TBA

Below are excerpts from a news release provided by Snowbird.

Snowbird will open at 9 a.m. with the Gadzoom chairlift accessing intermediate and advanced terrain and Chickadee accessing beginner slopes; additional terrain will be evaluated as weather conditions permit.

A series of storms are forecasted into next week along with cold temperatures that should accommodate snowmaking. Last year, Snowbird received 621 inches of The Greatest Snow on Earth® and had a 195-day season with skiing and riding from Nov. 7 to May 31, the longest in Utah.

Snowbird is offering an early season ticket price of $52. Early-season lodging and lift packages are currently available starting at $99/person through much of December by calling (800) 232-9542 or visiting www.snowbird.com.

Spectacular Lightshow As Meteor Hits Utah

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:34:00 +0000

A large meteor exploded over Utah early Wednesday morning, creating a fireball and light plumes that were seen from many points around the Western US.

After exploding, the fragments produced intense light as they burned while coming through earth's atmosphere. Apparently one or more fragments hit ground in Utah's west desert - probably on military land in Dugway Proving Grounds.

Many news articles have been published about the meteor. KSL has photos and a video, along with text descriptions. Below are excerpts.

At exactly 12:07, people from all over the western United States watched as the bolide meteor crashed into Earth's atmosphere. In some areas, the flash of light was so bright it caused light-sensor street lamps to shut off.

"I'm currently driving, but I just saw a giant blue flash in the sky, and it came down into the city," a caller from Ogden said.

A caller in Bountiful told dispatchers, "It flashed from the west, and it lit up the whole freakin' neighborhood."

Don White was in Wyoming and told KSL Newsradio for a moment he suspected a nuclear strike. "With something that brilliant and that fast, it was like, whoa, did we just get hit or something? It would have been some bigger noise I guess if a nuclear device had gone off," he said.

When a meteor enters the atmosphere, it gives off a lot of heat and light. Folks at the Clark Planetarium say this rock was big--between the size of a microwave and washer-dryer unit.

The Deseret News has this report. Below are excepts.

Patrick Wiggins, NASA Ambassador to Utah, said a seismologist has contacted him and believes the meteor impacted Utah's west desert.

The seismologist said he triangulated the terminal burst location based on seven Utah seismic stations, and his calculations put it in the general vicinity of Granite Peak in Tooele County, about 30 miles southwest of Dugway.

"Unfortunately, that puts it on Dugway Proving Grounds, so I doubt anyone will be doing a search there anytime soon, though one person said he's going to see if permission for an expedition could be arranged."

Biggest Loser Returns to Utah Ranch

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:06:00 +0000

The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge is getting lots of press lately, as the associated popular TV show heads toward its season finale. The resort is located near St George, in southern Utah.

LaLate.com reports:

"Biggest Loser returns to its Utah Ranch tonight again, the Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge. The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge is a stunning Utah Ranch that joined the TV series in 2009."

"[T]he company received international recognition naming "Fitness Ridge Resort & Spa" as one of the top 10 spas in the world. It wasn’t long before the producers of NBC’s hit television show, “TheBiggest Loser ” took notice, too. After offering several contestant prize giveaways on the show, Fitness Ridge entered a marketing and license agreement with NBC."

Thaindian News reports:

"This resort is aimed for providing show competitors and other clients with some of the best weight losing facilities to be known. They also want to ensure that the competitors of the ‘Biggest Loser’ show and the clients who come to the resort receive equal treatment. People who want to lose weight by following the crash diets adopted by the show yet do not want to get captured on the camera, can come to this resort. It is certainly a great news and people are searching the internet wildly to check the photographs of the resort and know more about it."

Explore the Moon House Ruin

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:39:00 +0000

Hiking conditions are great right now in the low-elevation deserts of southern Utah. Mountain areas throughout Utah picked up snow last week, and will pick up more this weekend as another storm approaches, but deserts around Zion Park, Capitol Reef, Grand Staircase and Moab are dry and pleasant.

I hiked in the Monument Valley area last weekend and enjoyed a great trip. We pushed into a remote area on the edge of Cedar Mesa, to an interesting Anasazi (Ancient Puebloan) ruin complex. As you can see from my photos, the ruins are spectacular. Many of the structures are well-preserved and show how these ancient Native Americans used local stone, motor and timber to create large buildings housing several families.

The Anasazi people thrived for hundreds of years in the rugged canyons of the Four Corners area. The canyons here are so remote and rugged, modern man finds the area inhospitable. Today people like to explore the canyons using 4X4 vehicles, technical climbing gear and the latest backpacking equipment. We play here but we don't live here. Hundreds of thousands of acres of remote canyon country in SE Utah is totally uninhabited by modern man.

I am fascinated by the ancient ruins, the rock art, and by the people who created it. Why did they choose to live in this harsh environment? How did they raise families on the edge of sheer cliffs? Why did they migrate away from this area, simply walking away from their homes and belongings?

There are hundreds of fascinating ruins and rock art sites in this area. As a hobby, I seek them out and photograph them. I'm getting quite a collection.

People occasionally ask me to publish exact directions so they can find these sites. Some request GPS coordinates. I'm not going to post specific directions on this website but I'm happy to share information with people who convince me they will be responsible when they visit these areas.

Many of these ruins have stood for over 1,000 years. Sadly, many are now being destroyed by enthusiasts who "love them to death." It is important for people to learn about the rules and regulations governing these priceless relics. Visitors are not allowed to climb into the structures or to touch rock art. Some enthusiasts have damaged ancient rock art as they try to make rubbings, to duplicate the image on paper they can take home. The rule is look, take photos but don't touch.

A group of individuals were recently arrested and charged with plundering artifacts from this area. Their cases are now progressing through the court system. Removing artifacts, even simply taking pottery shards, is a serious crime.

These ruins represent a significant part of America's heritage and culture. Many are located in remote backcountry spots where there are no rangers on patrol. It is up to us to protect them. The best way to do that is by educating people who want to explore here. See these pages for more information.

Ruins and Rock Art in the Monument Valley/SE Utah Area
Searching For The Wolf Man (Rock Art)
Cedar Mesa Backcountry Permit Information

Utah Leads US In Happiness Study

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:58:00 +0000

People in Utah are the happiest in the US, according to a new study. USA Today has this article about the study. Below are excerpts.

Looking for happiness -- it's family-friendly communities for some, tropical paradise or the rugged West for others. A survey of Americans' well-being, conducted by Gallup in partnership with Healthways and America's Health Insurance Plans, gives high marks to Utah, which boasts lots of outdoor recreation for its youthful population.

Speaking of outdoor recreation, the islands of Hawaii took second place and Wyoming was third in the poll that rated such variables as mental, physical and economic health.

"It's not just about physical health," said Eric Nielsen, a spokesman for Gallup. "It's about their ability to contribute at work and be more productive, and it's about feeling engaged in a community and wanting to improve that community."

The massive survey involved more than 350,000 interviews. Examples of the questions include: Did you smile or laugh a lot yesterday? Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with your job or the work you do? Did you eat healthy all day yesterday? Do you feel safe walking alone at night in the city or area where you live?

In general, highest well-being scores came from states in the West while the lowest were concentrated in the South. The happiest congressional districts were some of the wealthiest, while the lowest scores came in some of the poorest.

But Harter said that he believed geographic divides could be overstated and even the states with the highest scores had significant work to do to improve certain aspects of their residents' health and happiness.

Oakley's Road Island Diner

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:33:00 +0000

This was sent to us by a reader, Keith W. We found it interesting and decided to publish it. - Dave

Are you aware that Oakley's ROAD ISLAND DINER is Utah's only Diner/Restaurant listed on the National U.S. Park Service Registry of Historic Places? It is the only authentic vintage Art-Deco Pre-War streamlined diner west of the Mississippi!

Our neighbor, Wyoming's Tourism Website is showcasing their "Moondance Diner" which is not on the National Registry and is not an authentic diner in the true sense of the word. We truly have a unique roadside attraction in this Diner and I think you'll agree it deserves javascript:void(0)a listing/article on the Utah State Tourism site. Please visit the website www.roadislanddiner.com to see the history and significance of this Diner and call me for more specifics.

Thanks

This Has Been A Great Open Water Fishing Season In Utah

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:53:00 +0000

Watch our Strawberry
fall fishing video

Here in Utah we've enjoyed great, mild fall weather, but that is about to change with a cold storm approaching. I've spent many days out hiking and fishing, really enjoying the season.

My most recent trip was to Strawberry Reservoir, where we enjoyed catching big cutthroat and rainbow trout. Strawberry is one of Utah's best fisheries and it is particularly good during the fall. The photo at right shows one fish we caught. To see more watch the new video clip I just put at the top of our Strawberry Reservoir page.

Fishing has been very good this season at many Utah waters. Strawberry - well, I think it is fishing as good or better than it ever has. Lake Powell was better this year than it has been for years, and will probably be improve more next year. Striped bass are in great shape at Powell and now it looks like the walleye are making a comeback.

The Green and Provo rivers have both offered excellent fly fishing this season.

The approaching storm will drop snow on the boat ramp at Strawberry, and along the banks of our trout streams. Lake Powell probably won't get snow but the cold weather will slow fishing success for most species. Our open-water season is coming to a close.

Ice fishing is just a few weeks away now and it should also be good this year.

- Dave Webb

View Wild Bighorn Sheep

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:44:00 +0000

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is sponsoring a Bighorn Sheep Festival, Nov 20-21 in the Moab area. The wildlife management agency provided this information. (Photo courtesy of Brent Stettler.)

November is the best time of the year to see desert bighorn sheep. It's their breeding season, and the time of year when rams engage in head-butting and other rituals to attract the attention of the ladies (female sheep called ewes).
"The way the rams act this time of the year is fun and exciting to watch," says Brent Stettler, regional conservation outreach manager for the Division of Wildlife Resources.

That's why Stettler and other DWR staff have chosen Nov. 20 and 21 as the dates for the 2009 Bighorn Sheep Watch.

The festival will be held in and near Moab in sunny southeastern Utah.
The event is free. Stettler encourages everyone to attend.

What to bring
When you come to the event, bring a pair of binoculars or a spotting scope along with snacks, drinks and a camera.

DWR biologists will watch the sheep before the event. They'll guide you to locations where they've observed bighorns recently.

If you don't have your own binoculars or a spotting scope, don't worry: the biologists have extra spotting scopes and binoculars you can use.

Nov. 20 — learn about the sheep
The festival begins on Friday evening, Nov. 20, at the Moab Information Center. The center is at the corner of Center and Main streets in Moab.

At 7 p.m., Justin Shannon, regional wildlife manager for the DWR, will present a PowerPoint program about bighorn sheep ecology and their life history. Shannon did his graduate thesis on this very topic.

Shannon will also have bighorn sheep skulls and horns you can see and handle, and he'll be available to answer your questions.

Nov. 21 — see the sheep!
The fun really gets rolling on the morning of Nov. 21.

At 8 a.m., DWR biologists and festivalgoers will meet again at the Moab information Center. Biologists will divide everyone into groups. Then the groups will travel to various areas near Moab in search of desert bighorn sheep.

If you bring your own vehicle, you can leave the group at any time. If you ride in a vehicle with one of the DWR biologists, plan on the field trip ending by noon or early afternoon. "You can almost always see bighorn from asphalt roads in Moab Canyon and along the Colorado River, so don't worry about your vehicle's off-road capability," Stettler says.

Because bighorn sheep are wild and unpredictable, the DWR can't guarantee that sheep will be seen at close range, or even at all. "We almost always see sheep," Stettler says. "But even if we don't, you can still enjoy the unmatched beauty of the Colorado River Scenic Byway."

For more information, contact Stettler at 435-613-3707 or brentstettler@utah.gov.

Take A Dive At Bonneville Seabase

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:57:00 +0000

Writing in Sunset Magazine, Peter Fish observes: "What Utah does not have ― and you may have noticed this if you've ever visited here ― is an ocean. An ocean of any kind. Which is why (Linda) Nelson and her husband and dive-shop partner George Sanders had to create a substitute."

Fish wrote this article about Bonneville Seabase, a series of naturally warm, deep pools just south of the Great Salt Lake. The water's chemistry is similar to ocean water and the pools have been stocked with a large number of ocean fish. Below are excerpts from Fish's article.

What Nelson was looking for was a place to teach scuba diving. Once an exotic, expensive sport, diving has become a mainstream pastime in the United States, with more than 3 million adherents. And Utah is a scuba center: By some estimates, it ranks as one of the top 15 states with the highest percentage of divers per capita in the nation. "We have a lot of outdoorsy people," Nelson explains.

Seabase has four main dive areas: White Rocks Bay, Habitat Bay, Bubbling Sands, and the Abyss. White Rocks Bay is roofed so divers can use it during winter months when the air temperature hovers at zero. Habitat Bay teems with pompano and puffers and angelfish, many of which are rescued fish ― some, for example, retirees from the flashy aquariums at Las Vegas casinos. There are also two nurse sharks.

Read the entire article.

Solitude Will Open For Skiing On Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:10:00 +0000

Solitude Ski Resort gave its pass holders a sneak preview of the upcoming season by opening its lifts on Halloween. The resort has moved up its opening day, which is now officially set for Nov 6. It will be the first Utah resort to open for the season.

Skiers showed up in customs to ski on Halloween. KSL TV was there and shot video you can see on this page.

Recent storms have dropped some snow in the Cottonwood Canyons, and Solitude is making snow to add to that base. The Nov 6 opening will be one of the earliest in Utah ski history.

Below are the latest opening dates for other resorts, as reported by Ski Utah.

Alta Ski Area - Nov 20
Beaver Mountain Resort - TBA
Brian Head Resort - Nov 21
Brighton Ski Resort - Open
The Canyons - Nov 27
Deer Valley Resort - Dec 5
Park City Mountain Resort - Nov 21
Powder Mountain - Nov 28
Snowbasin, A Sun Valley Resort - Nov 26
Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort - Nov 21
Solitude Mountain Resort - Open
Sundance Resort - Dec 11
Wolf Creek Utah Resort - TBA

Extreme Sunshine Forecast For Utah This Week

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:39:00 +0000

Utah will enjoy beautiful Indian Summer weather this week, making it ideal for all kinds of outdoor activities - from biking and hiking to golf and fishing.

Southern Utah will be particularly nice. In the St George/Zion Park area temperatures are expected to reach into the mid-80s during the early part of the week and cool slightly to the upper 70s later. There will be nary a cloud until Friday night.

Moab temperatures will push into the mid-70s.

Northern Utah will also be very nice with highs around 70 early on and then cooling to the mid-60s. Showers may move in by Saturday night, but things look awful good until then.

I can't decide - should I go fishing or hiking? Either way, I'm doing something. Got to get out and enjoy this weather because the snows of winter aren't far away.

- Dave

The Australian Looks At White-Knuckled Rafting Ride In Utah

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:25:00 +0000

Writer Stanley Stewart took an adventure ride out of Moab and came away singing the praises of southern Utah's red rock country and whitewater rapids. Here is his article. Below are excerpts.

The greatest of these wilderness reserves is Canyonlands, a chaos of spectacular canyons and monoliths and fissures, of faults and buttes and mesas, so violent that it is penetrated by only a handful of dead-end tracks. This is the earth stripped to its contorted bones, displayed in vivid colour. It is a place where you expect dinosaurs to turn up around the next corner, the only creature large enough to match the scale and the primeval character of the landscape.

Through this confusion flow the mighty Green and Colorado rivers, the destination of white-water rafters from across the world. The best of the rapids are Grade IV+. Grade V is about as rough as you can get while still entertaining the idea that you might come out alive. But only a sports-mad Gladiator would write home about the rafting alone. For sheer drama everything here takes second place to nature.

Utah is Mormon country and Mormons are not big on nightlife and fun. But Moab is different, and that difference has made it the focal point for tourist activity on the Colorado River. There are book stores, coffee shops, a string of motels and B&Bs, a visitor centre and, most remarkable of all, two pubs and a winery. The restaurants may not be world-class but if you are a vegetarian you won't have to survive on omelettes.

A strange wind announces the rapids, funneled through 600m-high cliffs. The surface of the river begins to roughen and we feel ourselves being pulled gradually but powerfully towards white water.

One moment we are drifting serenely on a calm mature river, the next we are in the grip of a deranged adolescent torrent: gangly, out of control, falling over itself, unsure which way to go, a chaos of confused impulses. Then we hit the big water.

Astride the pontoons it is like riding a bucking bronco. The whole raft rears suddenly into the air, its bow pointing at High Noon, then just as suddenly it is plunging downwards to bury its nose in the boiling river.

The big waves that hit us head on, washing over the raft and knocking us back on our heels, aren't the chief excitement, but big holes in between the waves that open like watery canyons beneath the bow and into which we drop, leaving our stomachs behind, like bungee jumpers without the bungee. From the bottom of the big holes, the big waves look very big indeed.

We lose count of the rapids we shoot during the course of a wild and wet afternoon. We are in a stretch of river known as Cataract Canyon, and we have hardly stopped laughing and wiping the river out of our eyes when the next big water is on us.

Read his entire article.

Reserve Now For Heber Valley Railroad's Polar Express

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:30:00 +0000

The popular Polar Express train ride is being offered again this year by the Heber Valley Railroad, with rides offered from Nov 21 through Dec 23. Tickets sell out quickly so get them now.

The classic Christmas story unfolds during the ride. Here's part of the event description:

"Don't miss the ever popular trip to the North Pole! A wonderful experience for the whole family. Elves serve hot drinks and treats while sharing favorite carols and a Christmas story. Children's eyes light up when Santa climbs aboard.

"Experience the Polar Express in first-class style! All first-class passengers will enjoy their hot cocoa with whipped cream, served in a ceramic, Polar Express souvenir mug, and will receive a special Polar Express souvenir ticket."

See this website for more details.

Get Your 2010 Utah Scenic Calendar

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:19:00 +0000

Every year the Utah office of tourism publishes a calendar featuring stunning images from all around Utah. The calendars are very popular and sometimes sell out, so we encourage people to get them now.

The Office of Tourism provided this information: "Now in its 38th year, the publication highlights many of Utah's iconic destinations, outdoor activities and events through photography and graphic design. A photo of Canyonlands National Park's Angel Arch, taken by Utah photographer Willie Holdman, was selected as the cover image.

"Other featured destinations include all five national parks, Monument Valley and Temple Square."

Order the calendar.

Here Comes The Snow

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:37:00 +0000

A big winter-like-storm is expected to dump on Utah Tuesday and Wednesday. Mountain areas could receive heavy snow and benches could pick up 2-3 inches. Valleys will have rain turning to snow and could see some accumulation.

The storm is expected to hit Tuesday morning during the commute and could snarl traffic. Roads across mountain passes may become treacherous. Major highways should stay open but may develop some snowpack, depending on how fast the flakes come down.

If you are traveling cross-country, monitor the weather and plan on taking extra time to reach your destination.

On 10-26-09, 11:09 am, the National Weather Service issued this Winter Storm Watch saying, "Conditions will become favorable for significant snowfall in the higher terrain of northern and central Utah beginning Tuesday and lasting through Wednesday evening."

Utah Hwy 143 Becomes A National Scenic Byway

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:43:00 +0000

Running between Parowan on the west and Panguitch on the east, Utah Hwy 143 provides access to stunningly beautiful areas including Brian Head and Cedar Breaks National Monument. The route has long provided a favorite drive for locals and has now won the designation of National Scenic Byway.

The Deseret News has this article about the new byway. Below are excerpts.

A steep, high-elevation road offering a wide spectrum of mountain and red-rock scenery is the Beehive State's newest national scenic byway.

The Federal Highway Administration announced Friday that state Route 143, nicknamed "Utah's Patchwork Parkway," running from Parowan through Brian Head to Panguitch, now has that designation.

"There are several overlooks and pullouts where one can view Cedar Breaks National Monument, Brian Head Peak, Markagunt Plateau, Vermillion Castle, Panguitch Lake, lava fields, historic sites, meadows of summer wild flowers and, during autumn, aspen groves of brilliant fall colors," Dalton said. There also are trails, side roads and petroglyphs. The highway also offers excellent star-gazing opportunities.

State Route 143 is Utah's second-highest paved road, topping out at an elevation of 10,567 feet at Cedar Breaks. (Only the Mirror Lake Highway is higher.) It is also the steepest paved state road, with a maximum grade of 13 percent. It climbs 4,600 feet in about 18 miles from Parowan to Cedar Breaks National Monument.

The Spectrum has this article. Below are excerpts.

State Route 143 takes passengers from Parowan through Brian Head and on to Panguitch. It features beautiful canyons, awe-inspiring cliffs and lush forests along a peaceful stretch of road, which is located near the proposed national park and present-day Cedar Breaks National Monument. Obtaining the designation wasn't easy, but it was a worthwhile project.

The designation may not seem all that important to those who don't enjoy drives through some of this region's scenic landscapes. But many tourists plan their travels around these kinds of byways. They enjoy the slower pace of these byways and enjoy the opportunity to see the beauty that this country has to offer, albeit off the beaten paths of our interstates.

Bones Are Not Those of Everett Ruess; Mystery Continues

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:36:00 +0000

Mystery continues to surround the life and death of folk legend Everett Ruess, the famed vagabond for beauty, with a new DNA analysis concluding his remains have not been found.

The Deseret News has this article describing the latest findings. Below are excerpts.

A skeleton found in the Utah wilderness last year was not that of Everett Ruess, a legendary wanderer of the 1930s, despite initial forensic tests that seemed to have solved an enduring mystery, his nephew told The Associated Press.

Everett Ruess vanished in southern Utah in 1934, writing in a final letter to his family in California that "as to when I revisit civilization, it will not be soon" and "it is enough that I am surrounded with beauty."

He was 20 and a gifted poet who explored the Southwest over much of four years. In between journeys, he hobnobbed with famous artists of his time.

Initial DNA tests were termed "irrefutable" months ago by University of Colorado researchers, but one of them said Wednesday he accepted as final the new results from the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory in Rockville, Md.

An Everett Ruess Days Escalante Canyons Art Festival is held annually in Escalante, Utah, to keep alive the spirit and vision of the young artist.

Catching Fall's Rainbows (Trout)

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:17:00 +0000

There's some mighty good fishing going on right now in Utah streams and reservoirs. Trout in particular are feeding aggressively, as if they know they need to fatten up because lean winter days are just ahead.

I enjoyed great success at Fish Lake last weekend, catching a mess of beautiful, fat, hard-fighting rainbows. I had hoped to catch a few large lake trout but we only managed to hook one pup. But the quality of the rainbow fishing made the trip very enjoyable.

This is a great time to be out in Utah's mountains. Fall colors are almost gone at the high elevations, but they are brilliant in our valleys and lower canyon areas. Our Indian summer weather has been perfect - lately we've been getting storms mid-week and then mild, sunny weekends.

Many people think fishing is a summer sport. When fall comes, they put away their rods and turn their attention to school, football, hunting and other activities. That's fine. Some of our best fishing occurs during fall and it is nice not having as many people out on the water.

The weather should be nice this weekend and so I'll be heading out. I think I'll fish Strawberry, going after big rainbows and cutthroats. Flaming Gorge, Bear Lake, Jordanelle and many other reservoirs should also be good. The Green, Provo and other rivers should also fish well.

See our weekly fishing report for more ideas.

Wish me luck.

- Dave

Heber Cowboy Poetry Gathering and Buckaroo Fair

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:32:00 +0000

This year's annual Heber City Cowboy Poetry Gathering and Buckaroo Fair will be Nov 3-8.

The festival's mission is to "promote the cowboy way of life through music, poetry and art."

Entertainers will include the Bar J Wranglers, Don Edwards, Gary McMahan, Baxter Black, Sons Of The San Joaquin, Michael Martin Murphey, Riders In The Sky and many others.

There will be Western music, dancing, a mountain man trading post, clinics, workshops, gift shop and more.

See the festival website for details.

ESPN Brings 'College GameDay' to BYU/Provo

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:31:00 +0000

There will be big-time football in Provo this Saturday, as BYU hosts TCU in a Mountain West Conference showdown.

The hometown Cougars are ranked number 16 in the Bowl Championship Series standings; TCU comes in at number 8. The game is sold out.

ESPN will broadcast its popular GameDay Saturday morning highlights show from Provo, in a testimonial to the importance of the game.

With GameDay in the morning and the BYU/TCU game in the afternoon and evening, there will be traffic congestion all day around Cougar Staduim in Provo.

The local media is playing up the game. Here are excerpts from this Deseret News article:

"It's a tremendous opportunity for BYU to host ESPN College GameDay on our campus," said BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe. "The TCU game is sold out and the ESPN shows should add to the great college atmosphere we expect this Saturday."

College GameDay will begin broadcasting Saturday at 8 a.m. Host Chris Fowler will be joined by analysts Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard for the live broadcast.

The Salt Lake Tribune has this article. Below are excerpts.

The rematch doesn't need any extra hype, what with unbeaten TCU (6-0) now ranked No. 8 in the Bowl Championship Series Standings and BYU ranked No. 16 in the BCS standings, the AP Top 25, the USA Today Coaches Poll and the Harris Interactive poll.

"It is going to be a big game, and we have a bad taste in our mouth from last year," said tight end Dennis Pitta. "Fortunately, we get to be at home with our fans. We need to have a great week of practice and prepare well, and play well on Saturday."

TCU is coming off a 44-6 win over Colorado State, after spotting the Rams a 6-0 lead. CSU is the teams' only common opponent to date; BYU beat CSU 42-23 in Provo last month.

Here's ESPN's GameDay page.

Oh Deer, Watch Out for Hunters This Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:28:00 +0000

Utah's general season rifle deer hunt begins Saturday and so scores of orange-clad hunters will be seen on mountains all around the state.

If you head into the forest, wear hunter orange so you are visible.

Many Forest Service campgrounds will be busy through the weekend.

Wildlife officials use a variety of tools to monitor activity. One involves roadblocks on some secondary roads. If you travel near popular hunting areas, you may encounter a roadblock. Just be observant and obey instructions.

Hunting is not allowed in most national parks and recreation areas. Hunters will be on the peaks outside Zion and Bryce Canyon, but not within park boundaries.

The weather forecast looks delightful. Don't hesitate to get out and hike, camp and engage in other outdoor activities. Just be aware of the hunters and follow common sense safety rules.

- Dave Webb

Utah Ski Resort Tentative Opening Dates

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:50:00 +0000

Ski Utah has released this list of tentative opening dates for Utah Resorts. Firm dates will be announced as we see how the weather develops during the next few weeks.

Weather permitting, Utah resorts will be opening on the following dates. Right now we've got a great start on snowfall and more appears to be heading our way. Some Utah resorts have already begun snowmaking operations. Pray for snow!

Alta: Nov. 20, 2009
Beaver: TBA
Brian Head: Nov. 21, 2009
Brighton: November 16, 2009
The Canyons: Nov. 27, 2009
Deer Valley: Dec. 5, 2009
PCMR: Nov. 21, 2009
Powder Mountain: Nov. 28, 2009
Snowbasin: Nov. 26, 2009
Snowbird: Nov. 21, 2009
Solitude: Nov. 13, 2009
Sundance: Dec. 11, 2009
Wolf Creek Utah: TBA

Watch Our Video of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:10:00 +0000

Have you noticed the new video premier icon on our home page? We've launched a weekly "video premier" that you can watch in the player embedded at the top of our home page. Every week we'll have a new video that we hope you will find entertaining and informative.

Click on the icon or on the embed player to start the video.

Our premier videos will have timely information about activities you may want to pursue and destinations you may want to visit.

We always appreciate feedback about our website, so let us know what you think of this service. We are also happy to consider any subjects you may want to suggest for the videos.

- Dave Webb

Lost In The Black Hole of White Canyon

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:42:00 +0000

A sign at the trailhead warned people not to try to hike the Black Hole, but I knew the sign was old and that conditions had changed in the canyon. Reputable sources told me the canyon was doable so I decided to trot on down and find out for myself.

Nope, we couldn't make it. We had to turn around and fight out way back up the canyon, and that was not easy.

The Black Hole is a classic narrow slot in White Canyon, in the Hite area near Lake Powell. In past years it has provided a challenging canyoneering adventure, difficult but not technical. A few years ago a flash flood left a pile of unstable logs in the heart of the slot, making it very dangerous to descend. But subsequent floods have washed logs away and some canyoneers have successfully completed the route.

I'm not a die-hard canyoneer but I consider myself pretty good. I've completed many of our best canyoneering routes without any problem. I've done the Black Hole twice - before the logjam. But I couldn't get through this time.

I have two primary goals when I go canyoneering.
- 1 Everyone has fun
- 2 Nobody dies

Note that completing the route is not one of my primary goals. It is a secondary goal, nice but not nearly as important as the other two.

While canyoneering I constantly assess conditions and judge safety as it relates to the skills of the people in my group. Our slot canyons continually change - every rainstorm brings change. Changes are not usually significant, but you never know and so you've got to be cautious.

On this trip the canyon was much different - much harder - than it had been on my previous visits. We were close to the heart of the Black Hole, the tightest part where you drop down a cliff and have to complete a long swim through frigid water. I knew if we dropped down that cliff it would be extremely difficult to get back up, and I wasn't sure our group had the strength and skills needed to face challenges that might be much more difficult than I had anticipated.

So we backed out.

Still, it was an enjoyable hike in a beautiful canyon. We had fun. Safely.

Maybe those signs at the trailheads do mean something after all.

Right now is the perfect time to hike many of the trails in the red rock country of southern Utah. A few trails require wading, and the season for that is now over. (We wore wet suits in the Black Hole). But conditions are perfect for dry hikes in Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands, Grand Staircase, the San Rafael Swell and other areas.

(I have video of many of my canyoneering trips. Watch it by clicking the videos on the main pages linked from the previous paragraph.)

Get out and have fun.

- Dave Webb

National Park Travel Stays Strong Despite Recession

noreply@blogger.com (Utah Blog Admin) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:54:00 +0000

The number of people visiting Utah's national and state parks is up this year, despite ongoing economic woes. But areas which normally see strong business travel are reporting lower numbers, according to data released at the recent Utah Hotel and Lodging Association annual conference.

The Deseret News has this article about the conference. Below are excerpts.

"Our gateway communities to the national parks … have brought more interest," (Leigh) von der Esch told the Deseret News on Wednesday at the Utah Hotel and Lodging Association annual conference. "Our state parks are up because people are looking for value (for their vacation dollar)."

(Michael) Johnson said that Salt Lake City, Park City and Midway have seen significant declines in bookings over the past year. Generally speaking, however, Utah has not been hit as hard as neighboring states in the Rocky Mountain region, some of which have seen 10 percent decreases in lodging business, he said.

He told the Deseret News that in northern Utah, hotel bookings have mostly fallen in the 7 percent to 15 percent range. But those figures may be misleading, he added.

"For the last three years, they were booming so much and doing so well that (with the decline) ...they are probably about level (with where they were in 2005)," Johnson said.