Thought of the Week: July 27, 2014

“Look closely at the present you are constructing.  It should look like the future you are dreaming.”

~ Alice Walker

Thought of the Week: July 20, 2014

“It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.”

~ President Thomas Jefferson

Travels with David: Canyons Trails

Canyons Resort – Park City, UT – July 10, 2014

The business conference as I was attending was held at the Grand Summit at the Canyons.  Of course, this is a big ski area.  With the absence of snow in the summer, they have done a great job of converting many runs & areas into hiking/biking trails.  When we had a break in the sessions, I decided to go up the mountain and do some hiking.

I rode the Red Pine Gondola up to one of the landings on the mountain.  This is where the restaurant, Red Pine Lodge, is located and around 8k feet up.  Since it was lunchtime, I caught some quick fresh home-made chips to give me some energy and started off.  Since you can hike or bike (biking has become a huge business for them) most of the mountain, there are trails going in every direction.  I started with a short hike up to Alpine Lake.  This was  an easy hike, a little climb but simple enough, to a nice little lake sitting on the side of the mountain.  What a view from up there.

After viewing people fish and paddle-boat, I then took off on the Mid Mountain trail for a few miles.  I ended back up at the Lodge and proceeded to hike their very simple Nature Trail.  Since I had a little more time, I rode the High Meadow ski lift back to Alpine Lake and then hiked back down (much easier than hiking up and down).  After nearly 7 miles hiking, I decided that was enough for me.  I rode the gondola back down to the resort.

It is amazing the trails that are up in the mountains and the effort they have put into cutting the trails and setting bike ramps through-out.  The views back to the valley are wonderful and it is so peaceful hiking around up there.  Guess I found the poor man’s use for the ski slopes.

 

Travels witih David: Wind Cave Trail

Wasatch-Cache National Forest - Logan, UT – July 8, 2014

When you are in the beautiful valley and mountains of Logan, UT, why not go for a hike.  I had a  few hours after a customer visit up in Logan (just north of Salt Lake City) and decided to take advantage of the area and go for a hike.  Luckily, I had brought my hiking boots.  I drive about 15 minutes from the customer into the Cache Forest.  I had seen there was a trail for Wind Caves with beautiful views of the national forest.  On the web site, it listed as a moderate (not easy, not hard) trail.  When I arrive at the base, the sign refers to the trail as ‘difficult’.  Well, I am here, decided to go for it.

I start hiking up a thin semi-rocky trail and realize about ½ mile up, the sign was right.  The trail is about 2 miles one way and climbs nearly 1000 feet.  It is that continual climb at 5-6k feet that make me wonder about my sanity.  The trail is narrow but well-marked.  I decide I must make this happen and no going back.  I stop for many breaks  and sip water along the water (thank goodness for my water bottle). 

Once at the top, the view is beautiful.  The caves are a great site.  Amazing how erosion has worn out the caves overlooking the mountains and the continual breeze.  After sitting in the cool cave for about 15 minutes, I decide to head back down.  It is amazing how much easier going down at a slope as compared to going up.  Once back down at the base, drinking several bottles of water was a must.  Please note, one water bottle was not enough up the slope in the afternoon sun; take a hydration pack.

This was not a hard trail, but not easy either.  If you are ever in the Logan, UT area, this is a beautiful area and a great trail.

 

Thought of the Week: July 13, 2014

“Conditions are never just right.  People who delay action until all factors are favorable are the kind who do nothing.”     ~ William Feather

Thought of the Week: July 6, 2014

“Two important things to teach a child: to do and to do without.”
 

~ Marcelene Cox