Dates for July Hikes and Trips
Now that the snow has disappeared from most of trails above 10,000 feet, I have dates set for some classic Wasatch hikes. If you want to join any of these hikes, let me know:
June 29: Broads Fork Twin Peaks
June 30: Lone Peak (via Draper Ridge)
July 4-7: Havasupai (Grand Canyon)
July 2: Gobblers Knob (via Alexander Basin)
July 10: Ben Lomond (Weber County)
July 11-12: Uintas
July 14: Mount Timpanogos (Up Timpooneke, down Aspen Grove)
July 21: Pfeifferhorn (via Red Pine Lake)

These are all for the forthcoming book 60 Hikes within 60 miles: Salt Lake City

60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Salt Lake City
When Menasha Ridge Press asked me to write a Salt Lake City edition for their popular 60 Hikes series, I sat down, and in about an hour came up with a list of what I think are the best 60 hikes in the area---actually, my list had 75 hikes. I was already in a winnowing process.

I've now completed about 75% of the hikes. It's been an incredibly fun experience.

I've been talking with hiking friends, forest service rangers, trails organizations, and county parks and recreation folks. I've been testing my picks and asking for their input. They've given me some great ideas, and I've fine tuned my list a bit.

Now it's time for a reality check. And this is where you come in:

Take a look at the following list of hikes arranged by county. Any glaring omissions? Any hikes you don't think should be on the list? Any suggestions to fill some of the "TBA's" or open slots?

Keep in mind, the hike must be a day hike, between 1-12 miles. I want a good variety. I like hikes with a "wow factor"---a destination with a lake, waterfall, or summit. I also enjoy hikes with wildlife viewing, and geologic or historic interest. I tend to stay away from jeep roads.

Here's the tentative list:

North (Weber County)
Willard Peak
Ben Lomond Peak
Ogden River Parkway
Malan's Peak (Via Taylor Canyon)
Mount Ogden from Snowbasin
Waterfall Canyon
Beus Canyon Trail to Mt. Ogden

North (Davis County)
Farmington Creek Trail
Thurston Peak
Adams Canyon Trail
Frary Peak (Antelope Island)
Kenny Creek Trail

Central (Salt Lake County)
Mormon Pioneer Historic Trail
City Creek Canyon
Emigration Canyon Ridgeline
Red Butte Garden
Lambs Canyon
Mount Aire
Grandeur Peak (from Church Fork)
Desolation Trail to Salt Lake Overlook
Mount Raymond
Gobblers Knob / Alexander Basin
Neffs Canyon
Mount Olympus
Jordan River Parkway
Doughnut Falls
Lake Blanche
Broads Fork Twin Peaks
Lake Solitude (via Silver Lake Interpretive Trail)
Brighton Lakes Trail
Cecret Lake
American Fork Twin Peaks (via Hidden Peak)
White Pine Lake
Red Pine Lake / Pfiefferhorn
Maybird Lakes
Great Western Trail (Ridge Trail)
Bells Canyon
Lone Peak (Draper Ridge)
(TBA)
(TBA)
(TBA)

South (Utah County)
Emerald Lake (via Aspen Grove)
Mount Timpanogos (via Timpooneke)
Box Elder Peak (via Granite Flat)
Stewart Falls
Battle Creek Falls
Big Springs Hollow
Buffalo Peak
Squaw Peak
Silver Lake Trail
Y Mountain
Timpanogos Cave Natl Monument
Provo River Parkway

West (Tooele County)
Deseret Peak/S. Willow Lake Loop
Stansbury Island Trail

East (Uintas / Summit County) - pick 4
Crystal Lake Loop
Naturalist Basin
Lofty Lake Loop
Bald Mountain Summit
Hidden Lake

Wasatch Summer Hikes
Even with the dump of snow we had in the mountains last week, the higher elevation trails in the Wasatch are snow-free and the peaks are ready for some great hikes. I was on Mount Raymond yesterday and look forward to being on Deseret Peak, AF Twin Peaks, Lone Peak and others in the area---All for my book 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Salt Lake City

If you have hikes you want to see included (or not included) Let me know. I hope to have all 60 hikes completed before I leave for the Alps this summer where I'll be guiding several hiking trips.

Provo River Trail - March 10
As of today (March 5), the upper section of the trail from Vivian Park to Bridal Veil Falls is still covered with snow and compacted ice and is closed due to avalanche hazard. With a week of warm weather, it may clear and be open by March 10.

I'll scout the trail later in the week. If it is open and safe, we'll plan on hiking that section on Saturday, March 10. We will hike down to the mouth of Provo Canyon, ending in the parking lot at the intersection of 800 N. and Highway 189.

March Hiking Schedule

Sat. 3 – Mormon Pioneer Trail
Sat. 10 – Provo River Parkway
Tue. 13 - City Creek Canyon
Tue. 20 – Frary Peak, Antelope Island
Fri-Sun 23-25 – Havasupai, Grand Canyon

Want to join me on the trail?

A leading outdoor publisher just asked me to write a book for their popular series 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles. They want me to write the Salt Lake City edition and report on the 60 best hikes within 60 miles of Salt Lake City.

During March, April and May I’ll be taking hikes at lower elevations (under 7,000 ft). During June and July we’ll turn our attention to the higher elevation hikes.

Anyone is welcome to join me on any of these hikes. Just drop me an email or call me at 801-226-9026 the day before.

Friends frequently ask me what my next planned adventure will be. Aside from local hikes and several spring groups to Havasupai and the Grand Canyon, my big summer adventure will be hiking the Haute Route in the Swiss Alps. I'll be leading a group of no more that 10 from Verbier to Zermatt along the walker's Haute Route from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn. We'll stay in charming mountain villages like Arolla, Grimentz, and Gruben. Along the way we pass 10 of the 12 highest peaks in the Alps.

We soak up stunning mountain and sub-alpine scenery every day, then drop into a small village in the afternoon where chalet-style inns await with 5-course Swiss cuisine and eiderdown comforters. A shuttle transports our luggage, so all you need to carry is a small daypack. This trip was just announced and there's still space. If you want more details, go online at http://murdockescortedtours.com/ . The tour is an incredible deal since it includes air from Salt Lake City (other air gateways available). I've looked at similar tours that don't even include airfare and they charge the same price.

The Winter Outdoor Retailer show, although considerably smaller than the summer Expo, still had plenty to keep me excited. The focus is more on winter gear and the paddling sports are absent. I find it a better time to meet people since the pace isn't so busy. I ran into author and mountain guide Brad Johnson of Peaks and Places Travel in Ridgway Colorado. Brad's been guiding in Peru's Cordillera Blanca for 20 years. He is also the author of Classic Climbs of the Cordillera Blanca, an exceptional and beautiful climbing guide to the region. In addition to some incredible climbing, Brad also guides some treks in the Cordillera Blanca, the nearby Cordillera Huayhuash, and in the Inca highlands near Cuzco.

Brad's business partner in Huaraz Peru is Chris Benway who arranges logistics for climbing expeditions. Chris is a master of managing the details so that everything on your trek or climbing expedition comes together flawlessly. He will arrange transportation to the trailhead, cook staff, porters, mule drivers---anything you need. Working with Chris can save you days of frustration and a lot of money in the long run.