THE GREAT OUTDOORS — Utah has the best snow on earth, but it's also home to some great mountain climbing opportunities. Whether you're looking for limestone cliffs, ice walls or steep, unforgiving alpine climbs, Utah has you covered.

With summer winding down and fall creeping in, many avid climbers and hikers may be looking for one last hurrah before winter. These four climbs may take you to a summit you've already conquered, but thanks to Utah's diverse topography, there are usually multiple routes to the top, so you can try a different trail and get a new experience.

Here are some of the most challenging, unique climbs to take before the snow flies.

Everest Ridge, Mt. Timpanogos (Utah County)

Distance: 3-4.6 miles depending on your starting point

Elevation gain: 4,746-6,579 feet depending on starting point

This hike is more popular during the winter, but if you've never climbed this route to Timp's summit, a dry run isn't a bad idea.

The Everest Ridge path to the top of Mt. Timpanogos reportedly gained its name from a team of Utah climbers in the early 1990s who used the route to train for a summit bid on Mt. Everest.

The Everest Ridge isn't overly technical, especially if there's no snow. But it's incredibly steep and long. You can access the ridge via three different trailheads, but the actual climb doesn't start until you reach the Mt. Baldy saddle.

Directions to trailhead: Head up American Fork Canyon and take a right turn at the first two forks in the road, heading toward the Timpooneke Campground. Continue straight through the campground on a dirt road until you reach Mahogany Flats. That road turns into the hiking trail for accessing Everest Ridge.

Wildcat Ridge, Mt. Raymond (Salt Lake County)

Distance: 14 miles

Elevation gain: 6,200 feet

The Wildcat Ridge is an alternate route up the impressive face of Mt. Olympus and onto the Mt. Raymond peak, which towers 10,241 feet above sea level. While not as high as Mt. Timpanogos, the Wildcat Ridge Trail up Mt. Raymond is often considered one of the most difficult climbs on the Wasatch Front.

In a 2002 interview with the Deseret News, then-Wasatch Climbing Club member Larry Swanson (who is credited with discovering the route) said that the climb is very long and slow going, and could nearly be described as a climbing route, with the amount of bouldering required to complete it.

If you're looking for a true challenge, Wildcat Ridge is one you should highly consider.

Directions to trailhead: Drive east on I-215 to Wasatch Boulevard, and drive north, past the Old Mill Golf Course. After the golf course, you'll see signs for the Mt. Olympus Trailhead on the east side of Wasatch Boulevard.

Cottonwood Ridge Traverse, multiple mountains

Distance: 11.6 miles

Elevation gain: 7,450 feet

The Cottonwood Ridge traverses the two most popular canyons in the Salt Lake Valley, and perhaps the state of Utah — Big and Little Cottonwood.

This is a long climb that, while isn't overly technical, forces you to summit five peaks that are each over 11,000 in elevation.

The Cottonwood Ridge traverse starts at the Broads Fork Trailhead and is an excellent ridge for those looking for high-altitude climbing. While you don't need technical knowledge or gear to complete this climb, being comfortable scrambling large cliffs is a must.

Directions to trailhead: Head up Big Cottonwood Canyon until you see the signs for the Lake Blanche and Broads Fork trailheads.

Pipeline Couloir, American Fork Twins Peaks (Salt Lake County)

Distance: Undetermined

Elevation gain: 1,400 feet

This particular climb is definitely one for the more adventurous, as it often has snow year-round. This couloir, a steep, narrow gully on a mountainside, is an alternate route to the top of American Fork Twins Peaks, and you can access it via the Snowbird Mountain Resort parking lot.

From there, you'll head to the bowl at the base of Hidden Peak and American Fork Twins Peaks. From that spot, the couloir is visible and you can pick out your own route to the top.

The scrambling is over loose, smaller rocks; though, if there's snow, you won't have to worry about that. But if there is snow, you should be prepared with the proper climbing equipment including crampons and trekking poles.

If you visit the ski resort during the winter or early spring and there is still a lot of snow in the pipeline, be aware of avalanche conditions and always use caution.

Directions to trailhead: Head up Little Cottonwood Canyon, and take a right just before Snowbird Mountain Resort. You'll arrive at the White Pine Trailhead, from which the couloir will be visible.

Have you ever done any of these climbs? If so, let us know in the comments.

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