The Beauty of Northern Utah - Part I

 I feel like all my posts lately should start with some version of "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away" as I'm still trying to catch up writing about my travels from the last few years. One of these trips - pre pandemic - was a 5 day trip to northern Utah enjoying all its beauty. We did day trips to Antelope Island State Park (which you can read about here), Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, American Fork Canyon(including Sundance Resort), and the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway. Mr. UR and I were pretty much in awe every single day at the sheer beauty of this area - we sure said a lot of Wows! So let's get into it:

Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons

We started our drive of Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons in Park City, where we were staying. First up was Big Cottonwood Canyon which is home to 2 ski resorts -Brighton and Solitude - picnic areas, hiking trails and many pull offs to admire the scenic views. It was a short drive to get to the start of this scenic drive and before we knew it we were climbing and seeing ski lifts above the road. 

We pulled off the road several times to take in the views- and we weren't hampered by any crowds. There were none.

Our first real stop was at Silver Lake, a lake at Brighton Ski Resort, where we took an easy stroll around the lake on the boardwalk with mountain and meadow views. The aspens were twinkling in the wind and the weather was postcard perfect - it was gorgeous.

After a quick stop at Silver Fork Lodge & Restaurant for a beverage and snack, our drive continued with some amazing mountain views.

Little Cottonwood Canyon

We segued seamlessly into Little Cottonwood Canyon. The home of two world famous ski resorts - Snowbird and Alta, Utah's first ski resort, the canyon is also where the first Mormon settlers quarried granite slabs to build the Salt Lake City Temple. 

The views were just as stupendous here! 

Then us sea level dwellers decided we would attempt a hike - how bad could it be to not acclimate and hike at 11,000 feet? It was rated easy and there were kids doing it, why shouldn't we? Famous last words, right?

Cecret Lake Trail is a 1.8 mile out and back trail that should take about an hour to complete. It started out fine - it was well marked and there were several other people hiking. Then the incline started and we lost the trail - except we thought we were on the trail - and then we had to rock scramble to get to the lake. In the end, Mr. UR figured out our mistake and we did see Cecret Lake. You can decide for yourself if it was worth it.

After that I was pretty much done, so we decided an adult beverage with views was in order. The Gulch Pub at Alta filled the bill nicely. And we were the only two people there!

Provo Canyon to American Fork Canyon

We started our scenic drive from Provo Canyon to American Fork Canyon outside of Heber City driving past Jordanelle State Park and making our first stop at Bridal Veil Falls. 

Standing at approximately 600 feet tall, Bridal Veil Falls has easy access from a parking lot and a paved, flat trail. Our visit to the falls was quick - we made the short walk and viewed the impressive waterfall and then got on our way.

Driving on through the canyon we were lucky enough to see a Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep and fantastic canyon views. The highlight of the drive, though, had to be the Alpine Loop - a stunning 27 mile loop within Uinta National Forest and the Wasatch Mountains which connects Provo Canyon with American Fork Canyon. Known to be spectacular in the fall, I think a visit would be in order then for sure!

Just a few miles around the bend is the spectacular Sundance Mountain Resort. In 1968, Robert Redford was filming Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in the area. When he found out that it was slated for development, he borrowed a little over $2000 and acquired the land. His goal was to create a community which balanced art, nature and community. He was able to achieve this goal - it's now home to the Sundance Mountain Resort, the Sundance Institute, Sundance Catalog and the Sundance Film Festival. And the ski resort has been ranked the #2 resort in the USA as per Conde Nast Traveler.As he says, "It's about art and conservation."

Rumor has it that Mr. Redford's house is in the clearing there

We purchased a lift ticket which took us up to the tippy top of the mountain to Bear Claw Cabin - the only mountain top lodge in Utah. With 360 degree views of Heber and Utah Valley and the Wasatch Mountains, you really can't get any better than this. There really were no words for the beauty here. I'd like to thank Mr. Redford for his forethought in saving this place from commercial development - and I know, it is developed but it's been done with insight into conservation. No high rise ski condos or neon signs - just the beauty of nature.

Then we walked around the resort - there were few people here and most were mountain biking or ziplining. 

Can you spot the mountain biker?

I have to say that this was one of the most beautiful spots I've been. You can judge for yourself from the photos - which actually don't do it justice. It's just stunning.

To Be Continued.....

Linking up with: My Corner of the World at Photographing New Zealand!