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Wasatch and Uinta National Forests, Utah (View Photos):
If you live in Salt Lake City and enjoy the outdoors, count yourself lucky. Yes, the skiing is fantastic (although I wouldn't know first hand), but the hiking is even better. Right in Salt Lake City's backyard are two imposing, narrow canyons cut out of the Wasatch Mountain range within the Wasatch National Forest. Known as Little Cottonwood Canyon and Big Cottonwood Canyon, both canyons can be accessed via paved roads that draw visitors into a National Forest with a vast network of beautiful hiking trails. Ski resorts have been built in both places, but the development isn't so bad that it significantly detracts from the natural beauty.
Further south along Interstate 15, not far from the city, are two majestic mountains: Mount Timpanogos and Mount Nebo. With their imposing profiles and lush aspen forests, these two rugged mountains are very hard to ignore. At 11,749 feet, Mount Timpanogos is the second highest peak in the Wasatch range (Mount Nebo, at 11,928 feet, is the highest). Timpanogos was shaped and contoured by heavy glacial activity. The result is a mountain with sharp ridges and a long, table-like appearance that looms majestically over Utah Valley. A paved scenic drive circles the base of the mountain and provides opportunities for hiking, photography, and wildlife viewing. Mount Nebo can also be explored by way of a scenic drive with numerous viewpoints along the way.
The National Forest Service administers these lands within the Wasatch and Uinta National Forests. Despite seemingly ravenous development in the Salt Lake City region, these Rocky Mountain wilderness areas maintain their pristine character and natural integrity. Pretty waterfalls and gorgeous fall colors are yet more reasons to visit, in addition to those already mentioned. Overall, the Wasatch Mountains extend 160 miles from the Idaho-Utah border to central Utah. In the northernmost reaches of the Wasatch Range, places like Bear Lake, Logan Canyon, and Ogden Canyon are wonderful destinations in their own right.
Recommended Day Hikes:
Desolation Trail (via the Mill D North & Butler Fork Trails) - Mount Olympus Wilderness, Wasatch National Forest
Round Trip Length: approximately 8-9 miles
Trailhead location: Mill D North trailhead, just opposite the turn off for the Jordan Pines campground on Big Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Byway
Level of Difficulty: Strenuous
Attractions: Brilliant fall colors in late September are the main highlight of this beautiful hike when huge aspen
groves turn gold. From the trailhead, you will take the Mill D North trail until it intersects with the Desolation
trail. Take this latter trail past Dog Lake and enter the Mount Olympus Wilderness. Hike until you hit the Bowman
Fork Trail, and retrace your way back or take the Butler Fork trail for a shorter return. Be sure to buy a National
Geographic Trails Illustrated map for exploring this excellent network of trails.
Stewart Falls (Mount Timpanogos) - Uinta National Forest
Round Trip Length: 3.6 miles
Trailhead location: Aspen Grove off Route 92/Alpine Loop Scenic Backway which skirts the base of Mount Timpanogos
(this is the same trailhead for hiking to the top of Mt. Timpanogos). There is a small parking fee
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Attractions: One of Utah's most picturesque cascades can be visited by taking this pleasant trail on the east side
of Mt. Timpanogos, near the Sundance Resort. Stewart Falls is over 200 feet high and descends in two tiers. Bigtooth
maples turn deep red in autumn, and are visible along much of the hike.
Helpful travel tips and observations
Mount Timpanogos is a popular hiking destination. The summit can be reached in one long day. The mountain meadows
offer a spectacular wildflower display in August. Fall colors hit their peak in late September/early October. The
summit of Mount Nebo can also be reached in one day, and is a relatively moderate alpine hike.
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Aspens glowing in the late afternoon autumn sun, Mount Olympus Wilderness Area, (September 2009)
Aspens and conifers, Mount Olympus Wilderness Area, (September 2009)
Golden aspens, Mount Olympus Wilderness Area, (September 2009)
Fall colors along the Stewart Falls trail, Mount Timpanogos, (September 2009)
A grove of aspens displaying their autumn foliage, Mount Olympus Wilderness Area, (September 2009)
Slender aspen trunks, Mount Olympus Wilderness Area, (September 2009)
Fall colors in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Mount Olympus Wilderness, (September 2009)
Golden aspens glowing in the late afternoon sun, Mount Olympus Wilderness Area, (September 2009)
