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THE GREAT OUTDOORS — If the recent snow that hit much of the state didn’t sharpen your resolve to get outside more this year, we thought we’d make things easier by providing you with a few things that will help you keep your goals intact — at least through April.
Here is a rundown of monthly outings we think you should mark your calendar with so that you don’t end up hibernating all winter like the bears you aren’t.
January: Hike to Confluence Overlook in the Needles
If you kept your 2016 resolution to run or hike 5 miles a day and you stayed away from consuming copious amounts of cheesecake over the holidays, then you just might be in perfect shape to hike to the River Confluence in the Needles quadrant of Canyonlands National Park this month.This hike is 10.4 miles roundtrip, and is relatively flat in terms of elevation gain, but don’t let that fool you. This is a rocky and often technical hike that will require some climbing and careful foot and hand placement. However, what it lacks in easiness, it will make up for in spectacular views of where the Colorado and Green Rivers meet — the confluence.
“Why do this in January?" you might ask.
Well, while Canyonlands is (naturally) colder this time than other months (with highs in the 40s), it is still plenty bearable if you go prepared with warm clothes, warm (and cold) beverages, and a warm soul to enjoy the journey.
February: Antelope Island
The Great Salt Lake is a place that brings many visitors, including bugs that often drive people away within minutes of arriving. However, not in February.Antelope Island State Park is open to visitors year-round, but the cold temperatures are not all that attractive to insects, which makes the wintertime ideal. While at the park, you can stop at the visitor center, and take hikes on the dirt trails amid super cool and unique rock formations.
What’s better? You may even see bison, mule deer, antelope and other fun wildlife. And while Antelope Island will give you a home where the buffalo roam, it is best to let them roam at a distance, unless you want to find yourself pinned to the fence like in this incident in 2013.
March: Pipeline Trail in Mill Creek Canyon
While the month of March does not guarantee that winter has moved on, it does tend to bring about more thawing than freezing. These warmer temps allow for some more family outings where you can bring the little kids, who, by this time, are ready to explode outside.An outing we suggest you put on your calendar is the Pipeline Trail in Mill Creek Canyon. This well-maintained trail is a perfect first hike to shake the legs out after a couple of months of dormancy (if you didn’t make it to our first two suggested outings — shame on you).
There is one caution: This is a popular trail for runners and bikers, so unless you were planning on leaving the trail with tire marks traversing your face, we suggest leaving the earbuds out and practicing caution and courtesy.
April: Little Wildhorse Canyon
April is officially spring, sending many spring-breakers southbound out-of-state. Too bad for them, they miss out on one of the greatest times in the Utah weather calendar. Awesome for us, because then we get Utah all to ourselves.One April outing we think you should try is Little Wildhorse Canyon near Hanksville.
This slot canyon can either be done as an 8-mile loop (Bell Canyon) or an out-and-back trip. Either way, you will be privy to a lot of fun as you make your way through the natural maze made by thousands of years of fast, rushing water — which is something you should keep in mind when planning your trip. If the forecast includes lots of rain, you should reconsider your hike, lest you get whisked away in a flash flood.
The good news is, Goblin Valley State Park is not far away, and can still provide hours of fun, even in the rain.
What are your favorite outdoor outings during the months of January to April? Tell us in the comments.
