INSPIRE. EDUCATE. EXPLORE. A L L A G E S .
DISCOVER UTAH FALL 2019
colorful fall adventures
SLOT CANYONS
guided adventures in kanab DISCOVERUTAHMAGAZINE.COM
S E E W H AT L I E S
BETWEEN SEASONS
As summer fades into fall, the Utah desert transforms. The temperature drops and people disperse. You might find yourself on an expansive vista, in the midst of a slot canyon, or in a giant valley— with nothing but the gentle sounds of open space around you.
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V I S I T U TA H . C O M DISCOVER UTAH KIDS
22 PUBLISHER/EDITOR Monique Beeley COPY EDITOR Katie Mullaly ART DIRECTOR Michelle Rayner CONTRIBUTORS Arika Bauer, Julia Geisler, Cassidy Jones, and Sharon Stubbs
ON THE COVER
Wasatch Mountain State Park - Midway PHOTO BY Monique Beeley
We want to hear from you. Send your rants, raves, and story ideas to Mo@DiscoverUtahMagazine.com Advertising inquires for Discover Utah Kids and DiscoverUtahMagazine.com can be sent to info@DiscoverUtahMagazine.com SUBSCRIPTIONS - Never miss an issue again. Get this quarterly magazine delivered directly to your mailbox for $15 annually. Go to DiscoverUtahMagazine.com to sign up!! Connect with us @DiscoverUtahKids Discover Utah Kids is published quarterly by Discover Utah Magazine, LLC. P.O. Box 2336, Park City, UT. 435-640-6549 © 2019 by Discover Utah Magazine LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission from the publisher.
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8 26
{
}
contents FALL
30
8
Explore Your Backyard
20 Nonprofit Highlight
Colorful Fall Adventures
National Park Conservation Association
12 How To:
Find Preseason Deals
14 The Slot Canyon Bucket List 19 Map
12
22 Educational
Women Learning the Ropes
26 Guided Adventure Kanab 30 Road Trippin' In the Heart of Central Utah
only one who wanders finds new paths. - norwegian proverb
DISCOVERUTAHMAGAZINE.COM 5
LETTER FROM THE
PUBLISHER
The sound of the school bell chiming signifies the end of yet another summer
break. Memories were made and miles were added to the car, the bikes, and the hiking shoes. Hoping you all made it a good one, full of experiences, smiles, adventures…and only a few grumpy “mom/ dad I’m so bored” moments. Remember, we only have 12 “summer breaks” with our kids (I’m down to 8) until they fly-off in search of their next chapter. Fall in Utah is a fabulous time, the colors are popping and the temps are cooler making it prime-time for leaf peeping and trips to the desert. Be sure to check out The Slot Canyon Bucket List (page 14), from our favorite southern Utah mom contributor, Arika Bauer, (aka ZionAdventurePhotog) who shares a few of her beautiful images to inspire some slot canyon exploring. I’m not going to lie…one of my favorite things about my career over the last 17 years in adventure tourism is having the opportunity to “experience the product” firsthand and then share those experiences with others. Well, now as a parent it is even better because sharing amazing experiences with our kids is really what it is all about. One of my top experiences from this past summer with my daughter was a trip to Kanab. First we went canyoneering, and then we explored a new off the beaten path area, both halfday guided adventures. Enlisting a guide in your outdoor adventure pursuits adds to the experience in many ways. Check out all the details of this Guided Adventure trip on page 26. Education is a life-long venture, and, as a parent, taking time for yourself to learn a new skill does not always make the cut. Every issue has a feature on Education, and this time we have shifted gears from youth-focused to mom-focused on page 22. I hope these pages inspire you to explore new places or Discover new things about places you visit frequently, because we really do have the most amazing backyard – epic and diverse landscapes full of adventure, history and culture, just waiting to be experienced.
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SUMMER 2018
SUMMER 2019
PARK CITY
Stay cool this summer
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Offering Annual Subscriptions
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EVERY KID OUTDOOR'S INITIATIVE
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DISCOVER UTAH WINTER 2018/19
WINTER BUCKET LIST
fAmILY Ski DeALS
Explore Moab + St. George
NEVER MISS AN ISSUE: Get four seasonal issues mailed directly to your mailbox for $15
FEATURES INCLUDE: Health, Education, Road Trips, Staycations, Sustainability, Teen Contributors, Adventure Tips, Athlete Profile, and Guided Adventures
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DISCOVER UTAH SPRING 2019
road trippin' st. george 7 EPIC SPRING DESTINATIONS
Mindfulness for Teens MOAB MOUNTAIN BIKING
INSPIRE. EDUCATE. EXPLORE.
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Go to DiscoverUtahMagazine.com for all the details.
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WASATCH MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
8 DISCOVER UTAH KIDS
GET O
THERUT E
>back EXPLORE YOUR
yard
COLORFUL FALL ADVENTURES
FALL IS THE PERFECT TIME TO GET OUT AND EXPLORE SOME NEW TRAILS, AND ENJOY THE COLORS THAT AUTUMN TREES PROVIDE. Here are a few of our favorite northern Utah leaf peeping locales.
Provo Canyon and American Fork Canyon and is one of autumn’s top destinations in northern Utah. A couple of hiking options along this route are the Pine Hollow Trail and Stewart Falls.
Located in the scenic Heber Valley, Wasatch Mountain State Park, offers many opportunities for those seeking the spectacular colors of fall. For the mountain bikers The WOW (Wasatch over Wasatch) trail is sure to generate many “wow” moments this time of year. This epic 9-mile (one-way) intermediate trail meanders through beautiful aspens groves, colorful meadows and provides amazing vistas of the valley below. This ride is best done as a downhill, starting from the new parking lot at Bonanza Flats and then ending in Midway.
The Pine Hollow Trail is a moderate 4.3-mile loop and offers a bit of everything: a river, epic views of Mt Timpanogos, aspen groves, pine tree forests, and colorful meadows.
The Huber Grove Trail is an easy 1.8-mile (out and back) trail that begins at the State Park visitor center and is a great option for young families. Be sure to check out the fishing pond located at the visitor center. Fishing pole rentals are available for $3 a day. The Alpine Loop Scenic Byway 1 is a must see this time of year. This 20-mile scenic drive connects Photo Credit: Dan Ransom
The Stewart Falls hike is 3.4 miles (roundtrip) and well worth the effort. This epic two-tiered waterfall is over 200 feet tall. The hike is rated moderate and starts off a bit steep, but then levels out. Another option for Stewart Falls is to start with a scenic lift ride at Sundance Mountain Resort. This route is mostly downhill and is 3-miles from the top of Ray’s Summit back to the resort base. The Nebo Loop National Scenic Byway 2 is a 38-mile route through the southernmost section of the Wasatch Mountain range between Payson and Nephi. The road reaches 9,000 feet in elevation and provides epic views of Mt Nebo, which is the highest peak in the Wasatch Range, sitting at 11,928 feet.
*Numbers correspond with MAP on Page 19 DISCOVERUTAHMAGAZINE.COM 9
GROTTO FALLS
ROB'S TRAIL
Highlights along this route include Devils Kitchen, Grotto Falls, and Payson Lakes.
Fall in Park City is nothing short of epic and with over 450 miles of trails the options for fall adventuring are endless.
Grotto Falls is an easy 0.3-mile (one-way) hike leading to an awesome waterfall that the kids will love. This area just reopened in August 2019, after being closed due to damage from the 2018 Bald Mountain fire. Payson Lakes are located 11 miles up Payson Canyon. The three lakes are McClelland Lake, Box Lake, and Big East Lake. The biggest of the three is Big East Lake which is a great picnic spot and has a 1-mile paved path the circles the lake. Devil’s Kitchen is a 0.25-mile paved trail overlooking a mini red rock amphitheater, reminiscent of the scenery in Bryce Canyon National Park.
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Rob’s Trail is a favorite hiking destination for the fall. This moderate 2.5-mile (one-way) trail begins under a canopy of thick, glowing yellow aspens and pine trees. The trail opens up when you reach the ridgeline that overlooks the Canyons side of Park City Mountain. After 2.5 miles, the trail connects with the Olympic, Ambush, and Mid Mountain trails, so you can add more mileage or make it an out-and-back hike. Rob’s Trail is one of the “directional trails” in Park City, which means that mountain bikers using this trail are only allowed to ride it uphill from a specific point and then ride the Ambush/ Rosebud route for the downhill.
intermediate downhill ride featuring some awesome high banked turns. Be sure to keep an eye out for the name sake antique rusted washing machine along the route. Spin Cycle is located in the Deer Crest area of Deer Valley. Trail access is off of the Pipeline Trail, and then to make it a loop, ride back up the Village trail for a total of 8-miles. An adventure roundup of fall colors would be remised without the mention of the Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway 3 . This 41-mile scenic canyon is jam packed with outdoor adventure options. Tony Grove, located 19 miles from Logan, is a fall paradise featuring a high elevation lake that sits at 8,050 feet. This area offers many hiking options. For the little ones, the Tony Grove Nature Trail is an easy 1.2-mile trail that loops around the lake. For the more seasoned hikers, the White Pine Lake trail is a 7-mile (roundtrip) trail that leads to a beautiful lake nestled in a cirque between Mt. Magog and Mt. Gog. The Limber Pine trail is an easy 1.3-mile loop located just before reaching the summit of the canyon and 12 miles west of Bear Lake. This trail is a family-favorite and has many interpretative signs along the route.
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PC Hill is great off the beaten path 2.5-mile moderate (roundtrip) hike. The trail is a steady, but quick, climb overlooking the Prospector/Park Meadows areas of Park City. This trail is open to mountain bikers, but typically, it’s a hiker-only destination. The Farm Trail at the historic McPolin Barn is the location for the annual Scarecrow Festival each fall. The festival starts on September 28 and you can build your own scarecrow. All the scarecrows will then be on display along the Farm Trail until October 25. The Farm Trail is part of the 50-miles of paved paths in the greater Park City area. For the mountain bikes, Spin Cycle, is a Park City “old-school” classic and in the fall the colors make it an epic adventure. Spin Cycle is a fun flowy 2-mile
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d finD pReSeaSon dEals HOW
TO
f 12 DISCOVER UTAH KIDS
WINTER IS ON ITS WAY, LIKE IT OR NOT, AND BEFORE THE SNOW FLIES
f
IS THE BEST TIME TO GEAR UP FOR THE SEASON. Whether you are a ski, snowboard, or sledding family, outfitting your crew for the colder months doesn’t have to break the bank. Ski swaps are a great way to sell the gear that no longer fits and find new, or new to you, cold weather gear. Here is a roundup of some local ski swaps.
OgDen/FARmingtOn
Harvest Moon Ski and Snowboard Sale Sept 20th-21st The Monarch 455 25th Street $5 Admission – Event proceeds benefit the Snowbasin Sports Education Foundation Snowbasinskiteam.org
PROvO/ORem
Swaptober at 2nd Tracks Sports October 24th-26th 644 N State Street, Orem *No Admission fee – 35% commission on consigned gear
Salt Lake City
Weber State Gear Sale and Swap October 9th 8am-3pm WSU - Lower Bell Tower Plaza Weber.edu/outdoor
Swaptober at L9 Sports October 11th-13th 660 S 400 W - Salt Lake City *No Admission fee – 35% commission on consigned gear
Swaptober at 2nd Tracks Sports October 18th-20th 1273 Canyon Road, Ogden *No Admission fee – 35% commission on consigned gear
Swaptober at 2nd Track Sports October 4th-6th 2927 East 3300 South, Salt Lake City *No Admission fee – 35% commission on consigned gear
Snowbasin Ski Sale and Swap October 25th-26th Legacy Event Center 151 South 1100 W – Farmington Admission - $10/Friday $5/Saturday. Event proceeds benefit the Snowbasin Sports Education Foundation Snowbasinskiteam.org
SeaSonal RentalS anD Package DealS
PaRk City/heBeR
Park City Ski and Snowboard Swap November 1st-3rd Basin Recreation Field House 1388 New Main Street Admission - $10/Friday, $5/Saturday, $2 Sunday Event proceeds benefit the Park City Ski & Snowboard Team St. Lawrence Thrift Store / Zermatt Resort November 22nd-23rd 784 Resort Drive, Midway No entry fee. Free ski wax at the Adventure Haus with ski purchase Stlawrencethriftstore.com
If the swap scene doesn’t meet your needs, then we suggest looking into season rentals. Many ski and snowboard shops offer rental programs that are affordable, starting at $79. Check out the season rental deals at Utah Ski & Golf, Ski ‘N See, Gear:30, Bahnhof, and AJ Motion Sports. Another option for getting the family geared up for the winter season is the package deal, which includes skis, poles, and boots or snowboard and boots, sold together at a discounted rate. This is perfect for larger families owning the gear and then passing it down to the younger child as the kids grow. Both Utah Ski Gear and L9 Sports offer great package deals.
SeASON PASS DeAlS
Many of the resorts offer season pass package deals for families. Alta’s family of four season pass deal starts
at $2,199 (2 adults + 2 Youth (7-17)). The Family Pass Package at Brighton starts at $1,689 (2 adults + 2 kids under 10) The Epic Schoolkids Utah Pack is a FREE program for Utah K-5th grade students and offers 5 days skiing at Park City Mountain. This program also includes one free first-timer lesson including gear rental. Preregistration required. EpicPass.com
Ski Utah’s 5th & 6th Grade Passport provides 5th graders with 3 days of skiing at each of the 15 mountain resorts in Utah, for $45… that’s $1 per day. For 6th graders the passport gives one free day of skiing at each resort. And for the parents, there’s an option as well, although not free. The Ski Utah Yeti pass ($649) is the perfect companion pass to the passport program giving parents one day of skiing at each resort for just $43 per day. Skiutah.com
Publisher's note…I’m stoked that my daughter is finally in 5th grade. We have made the commitment to go to all 15 resorts this winter. We will be highlighting our adventures throughout the season on social media @DiscoverUtahKids and if you have a 5th grader for the 2019/2020 season come on out and join us on the mountain. DISCOVERUTAHMAGAZINE.COM 13
THE SLOT CANYON
BUCKET LIST STORIES AND PHOTOS BY ARIKA BAUER
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DISCOVER UTAH KIDS
C
A
D
B
8 FAMILY FRIENDLY SLOT CANYONS
Listed easiest to hardest. *Letters correspond with the MAP on page 19 A - Jenny’s Canyon
Why: Super easy access to a beautiful slot canyon. Where: Snow Canyon State Park Distance: 1/2-mile round trip Rating: Easy
B - Lamb's Knoll
Why: A quick and fun hike to a small, tight slot canyon. Off the beaten path and perfect for all ages. This is also a fun rock climbing destination. Where: 15 miles north of Virgin on the Kolob Terrace Road Distance: 3/4-mile round trip Rating: Easy
C - Red Hollow
Why: A colorful and short slot canyon perfect for the whole family, off the beaten path and easy access. Where: 24 miles north of Kanab in Orderville How Long: 1.5-mile round trip Rating: Easy
D - Willis Creek
Why: The little stream makes this slot canyon perfect for kids. Where: 7 miles south of Cannonville on the Skutumpah Road Distance: 3-mile round trip Rating: Easy DISCOVERUTAHMAGAZINE.COM 15
E - Wire Pass
Why: Soaring slot canyon walls make this beautiful light-filled slot canyon hike great for photos. Where: 1 hour east of Kanab on House Rock Valley Road Distance: 3.7-mile round trip Rating: Easy/Moderate
F - Kanarra Falls
Why: Waterfalls and soaring red sandstone walls make this the perfect day hike for the older kids. (permit required - KanarraFalls.com) Where: 13 miles south of Cedar City in Kanarraville Distance: 4-mile round trip Rating: Moderate
G - The Narrows
Why: This iconic slot canyon river hike is even more magnificent with the fall colors. Where: Zion National Park Distance: 4.5-mile (one-way) to Big Springs, permit required past this point. Rating: Moderate
H - Little Wild Horse
Why: Miles of wavy slot canyon walls that can easily be made into an out and back hike perfect for the whole family. Where: 2-miles before the entrance of Goblin Valley State Park Distance: 8-mile loop combined with Bell Canyon Rating: Moderate
Safety first – Slot canyons are narrow passages that are prone to flash floods and can be extremely dangerous during inclement weather. Always check the weather before entering a slot canyon, if there is rain in the forecast, play it safe, and choose another destination for the day.
Arika Bauer is a Southern Utah local, born and raised, and the owner of Zion Adventure Photog, a photography business dedicated to photographing outdoor lovers in one of the most beautiful settings in the world. She has made it her mission to explore all of the hidden, and not-so-hidden gems of Southern Utah, with her three kids. @ZionAdventurePhotog
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3 91
Bear Lake
89
30
LOGAN
23
RANDOLPH 16
165
30 Golden Spike National Historice Site
Numbers correspond with SCENIC BYWAYS HIGHLIGHTED IN COLORFUL FALL ADVENTURES on page 9
GARDEN CITY
15
84
BRIGHAM CITY
Letters correspond with THE SLOT CANYON BUCKET LIST on page 14
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15
OGDEN Great Salt Lake
84
89
80
MANILA Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
SALT LAKE CITY 201 215
PARK CITY
1
TOOELE
KAMAS Dinosaur National Monument
HEBER CITY 35
196
73
36
191 40
191
2
6
89
96
31
15
125
Green
PRICE
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28
89
50
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MANTI
6
CASTLE DALE
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100
191
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FILLMORE
257
45
88
DUCHESNE
68 89
40
208
PROVO
Utah Lake
149
VERNAL
Timpanogos Cave National Monument
River
199
50
191
150
80
WENDOVER
70
RICHFIELD
70
GREEN RIVER
H
Arches National Park
191
24
24
128 313
MOAB
25 Capitol Reef National Park
21 89
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BEAVER 62
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Cedar Breaks National Monument Zion National Park 89
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Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Natural Bridges National Monument
Lake Powell
BLANDING
95 276 261 San J uan R iver
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Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument
89
KANAB
ESCALANTE
Bryce Canyon National Park
SPRINGDALE
MONTICELLO
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PAROWAN PANGUITCH
14
219
95 12
89
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130
46
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Canyonlands National Park
TORREY
Rainbow Bridge National Monument
MEXICAN HAT Monument Valley
Bears Ear National Monument
163
Hovenweep National Monument
BLUFF 191
Four Corners Area
DISCOVERUTAHMAGAZINE.COM 19
National Parks Conservation Association
Marks 100 Years as the Leading Voice for the Parks BY CASSIDY JONES
NONPROFIT
highlight
“There’s a reason I go on as many trips as I can because I really believe in the program…it has a certain energy from it that makes youth want to get involved in advocacy. [The trips] have a special effect on young people.” -Isabel Juliano-Martin, YouthWorks in the Parks participant and intern
YouthWorks in the Parks participants recreating in parks.
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YouthWorks participant speaking with Representative Ben McAdams
The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) was born of the movement to protect America’s public lands in the early 20th century. The same visionaries who spearheaded the creation of the National Park Service in 1916— industrialist Stephen T. Mather and writer Robert Sterling Yard—also recognized the need for an independent, non-governmental organization that could unite the public to safeguard these places. With a mission to educate Americans about their parks as well as inspire protection of these important places, the National Parks Association, known today as the National Parks Conservation Association, was founded in Washington, D.C. on May 19, 1919. From its earliest days, NPCA attracted influential advocates—including notable scientists and naturalists, authors and artists, captains of industry and civic leaders—and demonstrated the power of concerned citizens to defend public lands. Founder Robert Sterling Yard called the organization “the fearless and outspoken defender” of the parks, and over the course of its first century, NPCA has protected places of unparalleled natural wonder, historical significance and cultural value from a succession of threats—from inappropriate development within and along their borders to short-sighted decision making that compromises park air, water and land and risks the well-being of people, plants and animals NPCA has helped protect Utah parks in many ways in the past century, including recently advocating for a collaborative plan to protect 450,000 acres of land near Arches and Canyonlands National Parks from oil and gas development and challenging the shrinkage and unacceptable management of both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments (which affects a number of adjacent national parks). NPCA has also engaged Utah youth in its mission to raise citizen voices and rally support for America’s favorite places. Since 2016, NPCA has partnered with the Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks and Neighborworks/YouthWorks Salt Lake for the YouthWorks in the Parks program. This program brings teenage graduates of the YouthWorks Community Builder program twice per year to national parks in southeast Utah to connect to the outdoors and public lands through recreation, civic engagement and careers in the national parks. Several YouthWorks in the Parks program participants have gone on to learn about advocacy in NPCA’s Civic Voice Workshops and used their new skills to speak up in favor of getting kids outdoors at the state capitol and in Washington, D.C.! Today, NPCA relies on the strength and voice of 1.3 million members and supporters and boasts 160 staff working across the country with local and tribal communities, in the courtroom and on Capitol Hill. As it marks its second century, NPCA continues the tireless work of not only defending the parks but of building and strengthening a park system that is welcoming, relevant and inspiring to all. NPCA helps people of all ages cultivate their own civic voices and encourages them speak up in support of parks and other things they value. NPCA.org
Cassidy Jones manages outreach and engagement for NPCA’s Southwest region. Based in Salt Lake City, she works to connect communities to NPCA’s work and build advocates for the parks in the Four Corners states. Cassidy was born and raised in Wasatch County and previously worked for NPS as a ranger in parks in Utah and Massachusetts. DISCOVERUTAHMAGAZINE.COM 21
E D U C AT I O N A L
WOMEN
LEARNING THE ROPES IN
ESCALANTE BY MONIQUE BEELEY
MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH CANYONEERING BEGAN 20 YEARS AGO and I will admit that it wasn’t love at first sight. My first experience was memorable for sure, but love, was not how I would describe it. We were out on a guided tour with one of the top canyoneering guides in Moab. There were four in our group plus our guide, Matt Moore. I am a photographer
22 DISCOVER UTAH KIDS
and when I’m on an adventure, I’m hyper focused on getting the best shot, and as usual I was not fully paying attention as Matt was going over the basics of our first rappel. One by one, the others in the group descended into the dark slot canyon below. When it was my turn, I put my camera in my backpack and then walked over to Matt so that he could hook me into the rope. A moment later I was slowly stepping backwards towards the dark
canyon below. With each step I was getting more and more nervous, I am a bit fearful of heights, and this was way out of my comfort zone. Trusting the gear was an unfamiliar feeling. I took two more steps and then the wall just seemed to disappear beneath my feet and I was just hanging in the air…and this was even more terrifying. At this point I just froze and had a bit meltdown. Once my feet touched the ground, I was super shaky and a bit surprised by my reaction. I always felt fairly competent in my outdoor adventuring ability and this had pushed me in ways I was truly not expecting. The years that followed took me on many more amazing canyoneering adventures throughout Utah. We are so blessed to have the most epic and beautiful slot canyons in the world, right in our backyard. All, but a few, of my technical slot canyon adventures have been with professional guides and I have always been the photographer on these trips. Capturing the beauty of slot canyons is a personal passion, and until recently I have been okay with my focus being photography and not feeling the need to be technically more knowledgeable. At times I would think about learning the ropes and it always felt a bit overwhelming, because one of my greatest joys in life is photographing beautiful places. I felt in order to be the responsible one on a trip, I would need to shift my role and my mindset from photographer to leader, which brought up just a few uncomfortable feelings. I am pretty capable and confident in the outdoors, but at this point in my life, I really want to be better; to feel like I can take my daughter with me and be able to safely handle situations that may arise in the backcountry. This year I decided it was time to take the necessary steps to being more capable and confident in technical canyoneering. I started doing a bit of research to see what kind of canyoneering classes were available in Utah. I came across a couple of options, but
what I really wanted was to learn from someone who I consider to be the best and most knowledgeable canyoneering guide/teacher: Rick Green, owner of Excursions of Escalante and the president of the American Canyoneering Association. I had been canyoneering with Rick many times over the years and wanted to learn from someone I knew and trusted. I was super excited when he said “yes” to my proposal of creating a two-day women’s technical canyoneering class in Escalante this past June. Day one of our class began on the back porch of the guide shop with Rick giving us an overview of what we would be covering in the next two days which included DISCOVERUTAHMAGAZINE.COM 23
canyon rating systems, environmental risks and safety, equipment, basic knots, anchors, rigging, rappelling, belays, and downclimbing techniques. The benefit of this course being on-location in Escalante was that most of our learning would be hands-on and out in the field, exploring some of nearby slot canyons. Safety in the backcountry was the first topic covered. Rick made sure that we all had a good understanding of what to assess prior to heading into a canyon. Following the safety discussion, we headed out to our classroom for the day, which was a just a short drive from the guide shop. We spent the rest of day one working on knots, rigging, and anchors. Our group of eight women, all differing in age, canyoneering experience, and hometown, came together with the shared goal of learning a new skill. As the day progressed, we shifted from “individuals sharing an experience” to teammates working together and helping each other learn.
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Following our epic day in the field, we reconvened back at the guide shop to chat about the day. The energy of the group had shifted from earlier that day. The strangers we had met in this same space earlier were now our friends. The morning of the second day began with great enthusiasm as we loaded into the vehicles for the day’s learning adventure. We would continue to use the skills we had practiced the day before and expand upon them. We started with knots, rigging, and anchors, and
then moved into rappelling and downclimbing. Working as a team, we learned how to assist each other through some challenging downclimbing sections. On this day, the goal was to work our way through the canyon using what we had learned. Everyone took turns being the leader and then talked through each step as a group. The day was long, and I know we all pushed ourselves out of our own personal comfort zones more than once. My takeaways from this experience go far beyond the basics of learning technical canyoneering techniques. It’s being able to push yourself out of your comfort zone while supporting other women as they do the same and then working together through challenging situations. It’s also being open and able to ask for support when needed and accepting the help with an open heart. We can all accomplish so much more with cooperative teamwork than we can by marching solo on our journey. A big shout out and sincere thank you to Rick and Amie with Excursions of Escalante for bringing this amazing group of women together and creating an amazing educational experience.
Newly built modern hotel boasting classic craftsmanship and style. Old fashioned hospitality, rustic decor, and large luxurious rooms. - Exercise room - Complimentary breakfast - Indoor swimming pool - Hot tub
- Guest laundry - Telsa + universal charging stations - Conference / Group Facility
CanyonCountryLodge.com 435-826-4545 760 E Highway 12 | Escalante, Utah
BryceCanyonCountry.com/kids 800.444.6689
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GUIDED ADVENTURE
kanab
BY MONIQUE BEELEY
THE COOLER TEMPS OF FALL BECKON ADVENTURE SEEKERS TO THE MAJESTIC DESERT LANDSCAPES OF SOUTHERN UTAH. When autumn comes, this vast region of our state is no longer plagued by the scorching hot days (and nights).
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"One of my favorite things about going with a guide is that ... they love to share their wealth of knowledge on the history and geology of the area." Heeding the call and migrating south to the desert this time of year is the easy part (as I’m sure we’ve all witnessed when driving back to northern Utah on a Sunday afternoon). So the big question is, where to go and what to do? Sure, you can always rely on the tried and true go-to family spots that you know the kids will love and, if it works why not stick with it. Because, let’s be honest, planning a new adventure with your family can be overwhelming. When both planning time and vacation time are at a premium, and the demands of work, school, budgets, home projects, extracurricular, and social schedules can really take a toll at times, it feels like getting away with the family is nothing short of a miracle. Did you know that southern Utah has hundreds of qualified and experienced guide companies that can take some of the burden of planning a family trip off your plate? And can also add that spark of excitement that goes along with exploring new places. Whether your family is full of high-adventure seekers or you are just dipping your toes into this fabulous world of outdoor adventuring, let me assure you… there is a fit, and a guide service for all. There are way too many options to highlight properly in just a couple of issues, so we are committed to keeping the guided adventure theme rolling and, you will now see it every issue. Ok, so let’s begin with a question. Raise your hand if you have been to Kanab? Not just driving through on your
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way to Lake Powell or the Grand Canyon, but actually spent time in this cool adventure town. Located 300 miles south of Salt Lake City, 80 miles east of St. George and 7 miles north of the Arizona border, Kanab (elevation 5,000’) is home to endless outdoor recreational opportunities. We recently spent a few days in Kanab and here are a couple of recommended guided adventure companies. First up was a half-day canyoneering tour with Kanab Tour Company. I have found that half-day excursions are the best options for kids. They allow enough time to have a new and amazing experience without the risk of over doing it, especially if your plan is to adventure multiple days in a row. Our morning began by getting fitted with our canyoneering gear, which included a harness, a rappel device, and gloves. They also had backpacks, water bottles, and snacks for us in case we needed them. We loaded into their vehicle and headed out to our destination. As we drove, our guides, Nick and Mica gave us the rundown on what to expect on our tour. After a few bumpy miles on a sandy and rocky dirt road, we arrived at our destination. Once our gear was on, we headed down the trail to the entrance of the slot canyon. Navigating slot canyons can be tricky at times and we stopped along the way to watch Nick show us some down-climbing techniques.
The girls quickly caught on and enjoyed playing in the tight twisty sections of the narrow canyon which led to our first rappel. We all watched as the guides set up the rope and went through the basics for rappelling. Both my daughter and her friend Lily had rappelled before but were both a bit nervous as they watched Mica descend into the canyon below. With each rappel I could see the confidence grow in both girls and the trepidation of the morning quickly faded and was replaced with the usual giggly chatter of two 10-year-old girls having fun.
the whining, and ran full-speed into the soft sand. What kid doesn’t love running through sand dunes…right. This destination was a win/win for all – the girls happily frolicked in the sand and I, as a photographer, marveled at the epic natural beauty of this place. Time spent in Kanab never disappoints, and every time I visit, my adventure to-do list gets a bit longer in preparation for my next visit. VisitSouthernUtah.com
Three hours later we were back on that same bumpy dirt road where our adventure began. But this time, the conversation had a different theme. The anxious anticipation had changed to excitement as we chatted about our personal favorite moments from our morning. Shifting gears for day two, we scheduled an off-road half-day tour with Adventure Tour Company. The morning started with a scenic 4x4 tour into the backcountry east of Kanab and then a 2-mile hike into an epic white sand cave. This was a new area for me to explore and as always, I was stoked to explore a new locale. One of my favorite things about going with a guide is that they are usually local experts and love to share their wealth of knowledge on the history and geology of the area. We arrived at the bottom of the cave and quickly geared up and began the hike. The hike was a bit strenuous for the girls, and there may have been a bit of whining as we made our way up the trail. Once we arrived at the bottom of the cave, which was covered by an epic sand dune, the girls quickly discarded their shoes, along with
Located at the heart of Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Grand Staircase Escalante, Lake Powell, and many more! Complimentary Express Start Breakfast Indoor swimming pool and hot tub High speed WIFI Pet Friendly rooms available 24-hour guest laundry 24-hour gym
RESERVE YOUR ROOM TODAY! 435-644-3100 Kanab, UT
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road trippin’ CENTR AL
UT
IN THE HEART OF CENTRAL UTAH
CASSIDY ARCH
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LOCATED 160 MILES SOUTH OF SALT LAKE CITY, RICHFIELD IS THE PERFECT BASECAMP FOR FALL ADVENTURING. Richfield is often referred to as the hub of central
Utah and is the largest city within a 100-mile radius. The city offers a variety of overnight options and a full range of dining locales.
First on the list is a visit to Fremont Indian State Park located 20 miles southwest of Richfield. This amazing state park is the site where the largest community of Fremont Indians lived more than 1,000 years ago. Many of the artifacts and structures from this group were discovered in 1983, during the construction of highway I-70. The visitor center museum has thousands of artifacts from the area on display. Be sure to check the calendar of events if you are planning to visit as they offer many hands-on learning opportunities, including pottery making and pine nut roasting. The park has 17 interpretative sites and trails offering something for all ability levels. The Parade of Rock Art trail from the visitor center is perfect for strollers and young hikers. This trail is a quarter-mile in length and offers many views of multiple rock art panels. There are also replicas of both a pithouse and granary, just outside the visitor center giving kids a hands-on experience. Richfield is home to the epic Paiute ATV Trail system, which offers over 2,000 miles of motorized trails. It is considered one of the top off-road motorized trail networks in the world. There are many trailheads in and around Fremont Indian State Park for those looking to explore this expansive trail network. Next, we head 65 miles southeast to Fish Lake, where the fall colors are sure steal your heart. The Aspen Heart is a grove of aspens that is naturally in the shape of a heart, and in the fall this grove turns bright red/orange. This fantastic natural wonder, like many others, has some accompanying folklore that includes tales of young forbidden love that back to when the Paiute Indians inhabited this area. The Lakeshore National Recreation Trail parallels the western shore of Fish Lake and is the best place to enjoy the fall colors. This 14-mile trail is broken up into 4 sections. Section 1 is the easiest and offers amazing views of the both the forest and the lake. This 3-mile section begins at the west end of the Doctor Creek Campground and connects with Bowery Haven Resort.
FREMONT INDIAN STATE PARK
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Back in the car we headed 38 miles southeast to our final destination, Torrey, which is the gateway community to Capitol Reef National Park. Fall is the perfect time to visit Capitol Reef when both the temps and the colors are cooler. Located in the shady valley near the visitor center, you will find the Fruita Orchards that were originally planted by the pioneers who settled in this area in the early 1900s. Cherries, apricots, peaches, pears, and apples can all be picked and enjoyed by visitors during designated harvest times. Be sure to stop by the historic Gifford Farmhouse for locally-made fruit pies, jams, and ice cream.
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Did you know that Capitol Reef is home to 20 natural arches? Two of our favorite arch hikes are Hickman Bridge and Cassidy Arch. The Hickman Bridge trail is a fairly easy 1.7-mile (roundtrip) hike. The route offers amazing views along the way. Be sure to look for the bonus arch on the hike, located about three-quarters of the way there on the right side. The 3-mile (roundtrip) Cassidy Arch hike is a bit more challenging and may not be the best option for young kids. The trail is fairly steep and there are a few drop-offs close to the trail. The unique aspect of this hike is that you are on top of the arch, looking down into a narrow canyon that runs below. Legend tells that it was one of the hideouts of the infamous bank robber Butch Cassidy in the late 1800s.
BACKROAD EXPLORING Capitol Reef has amazing opportunities for those looking for some off the beaten path exploring. The Cathedral Valley loop is 96 miles in total, 58 of which weave in and out of the park boundaries on dirt roads. High clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended. The geology and unique scenery along the route are different from the rest of the park and well worth a visit. One of the top geologic wonders are the Bentonite Hills, which are colorful soft-contoured striped hills with varying hues of brown, red, purple, green and grey. ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATIONS Sleeping in a teepee at Fremont Indian State Park or a Conestoga Wagon at the Broken Spur in Torrey.
CapitolReef.org SevierUtah.net
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Salt Lake
St. George
Come Find Your Trail SevierUtah www.
Tƒ k e t h e R o ƒ d
.net
Less Trƒveled. Wayne County, UT | CapitolReef.org
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ENDL ESS A DV EN T UR ES. UNL I M I T ED SM I L ES. ON E CH A R M I NG T OW N. Discover a family destination where fall fun comes naturally. Where you can fill your kid’s days with hiking, biking and limitless other mountain activities. Then fill the evenings exploring our historic main street full of dining, art galleries and shops. Yes. All that. Only in Park City, Utah. Plan your trip at VisitParkCity.com.
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