What You Should Know About Hiking In Utah
Hiking is an interesting thing. You can do it virtually anywhere–except across hostile borders–and what’s fun for some may be lousy for others. “Hiking” through city streets has its rewards, but the smells and noises may not be very therapeutic. You could go hard-core and tackle Mount Everest, but if not prepared and experienced, you may end up sliding down the mountain in a wooden coffin. What’s really nice is finding a place that offers both rigorous and easy hikes, and everything between. That place is Utah. Read on to see what you should know about hiking in Utah.
Scenery Is King For Hiking In Utah
The biggest difference between hiking the run-of-the-mill, ordinary regions of your locale and venturing into Utah is the stark difference in scenery. Vista is everything. Hiking in Utah convinces you of the impact of extraordinary vs. ordinary. Beauty inspires and soothes the mind and soul. For people “in the know” Utah is a coveted place not only to live, but also to recreate.
Being from Utah, I grew accustomed to the beauty of it; but, then I attended a medical seminar in Iowa, where the talented, guest speaker was talking about our privilege of working and living wherever we wanted. He said, “You can live in places like Hawaii or Utah!” Wow, I thought. He’s right; Utah is amazing. It has ski mountains, expansive deserts, ponderosa forests, dinosaur quarries, red sandstone arches, the great salt flats where land-speed records were set, great hunting and fishing, geologic wonders, and of course, the five mighty national parks. They are paradises for outdoorsy people.
Capital Reef National Park
Hiking in Utah should focus on any or all of the national parks. In Southcentral Utah lies the massive national park of Capitol Reef. It surrounds a long wrinkle in earth’s crust, which is called the “Waterpocket Fold,” which makes geologists giddy. It displays layers of golden sandstone, striking rock formations, and majestic canyons. The Chimney Rock Pillar is famous, along with the Hickman Bridge Arch, and Capitol Reef, with its white sandstone domes. Towering monoliths lie north of the Reef in Cathedral Valley.
Near the entrance to Capitol Reef is Cougar Ridge Resort, where cowboy dreams are fulfilled. The resort’s setting is spectacular, and the amenities indulgent. Dirt biking, horseback riding, pottery classes are just of the few activities to enhance your stay. Adjacent to the town of Torrey, Utah, Cougar Ridge provides everything you’ll need for the time of your life.
Zion National Park
Zion is found in Southwestern Utah, so just a few hours’ drive from Capitol Reef. About four million visitors grace its landscape each year. Hiking in Utah cannot forget about the trails in Zion. The most iconic hike is to Angels’ Landing, a five-mile round trip that is considered Class 4 scrambling (in rock climbing vernacular) because of its climactic, narrow ridge where you will defy death if you keep your wits about you and hold onto the chain railing.
What You Should Know About Hiking In Utah
Article By: Clear Content Marketing