Utah Adventures Part 2

“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome and dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” 

-Edward Abbey

 Ah, snow. There is something to be said for four seasons, and having the chance to enjoy snow for a few months. It freshens up the leafless world, brings a spirit of fun to the cold weather and enables a variety of outdoor activities. I love having a good snowball fight (complete with battlements of course!) and sledding, but I especially love skiing. Whether it is observing the sights while plugging through the woods cross country, or the exhilaration and focus of steering downhill, it is a great way to get outside. I had the opportunity to ski for a day with my sister while visiting Utah in December. It was my first time downhill skiing in almost 7 years, but I was amazed to have my skills come back in the course of an hour. I forgot how much I enjoyed it, and how successful I felt after the challenge of a long run down the mountain.

While visiting Utah, my sister also introduced me to a new sport involving snow- snowshoeing. Although I had strapped on a pair in the past, walking around my yard didn’t prepare me for the experience of hiking while in the mountains wearing snowshoes.

After an intro course on the Bench Trail before work one morning, I got the real deal on a weekend hike. Breaking free of the inversion in the valley we headed to the Willow Heights Trail located outside of Salt Lake City in Big Cottonwood Canyon- getting there involves a drive up to 8,000 feet, essentially doubling the starting elevation. As I learned throughout the course of my visit to Utah, almost everything my sister and brother-in-law do for fun involves pain. Getting out the car, I could feel the difference in the altitude, and as we prepared for the hike I wondered what I had gotten myself into.

The trail is slightly less than 2.5 miles round trip, and leads to a large meadow with a frozen lake. Getting there requires a steep climb of ~600 feet, which had my calves and lungs burning, and my pace lagging. At the top the hill, I was rewarded (as is almost always the case after a strenuous hike) with a gorgeous view of breathtaking, snow-covered mountains. The combination of sunshine and exercise made for an enjoyable jaunt around the lake, even though the wind was stiff.

Although the approach the lake had been tough, the descent back to the car was enjoyable. I was able to take in my surroundings more, and noticed a variety of animal tracks crisscrossing the snow. The sounds around me were muffled by the snow except for the whistle of the wind and the crunch of my snowshoes. The sun streaming through the aspens almost felt tangible, as if I could reach out and touch an individual sunbeam.

The combination of the stunning view while crossing a pristine sea of snow didn’t feel like a workout, but instead inspired me to be as quiet as the things around me, and take in the beauty of the moment. Simple colors of blue, green and white came together to create a masterpiece. Sometimes a simple scene is the most complex sight of all when you take the time to give it a good look!

Utah Adventures Part 1

“All my life through, the new sights of nature made me rejoice like a child” – Marie Curie

Greetings from snowy Utah! I just finished visiting the Beehive State for the first time in my life, and I loved it!

Now when a lot of people think of Utah, they think of a big salty lake. I have to admit that’s the thought that popped into my head as well. After visiting my sister and brother-in-law, I have discovered that there is so much more.

My first sight of the beauty of Utah was out the airplane window. It was almost sunset, and the snow-covered mountains were highlighted against a gloriously blue sky. Although the weather hovered around a balmy 15 degree average, I still managed to explore a variety of the outdoor offerings.

Most memorable was a trip to Moab to see the famous rock formations of Arches National Park. 

Upon arriving, we paid our fee, and stopped at the visitor’s center to pick up a Junior Ranger booklet. Although designed for kids, they often have activities that will help deepen your experience of the park, and it’s a fun way to learn more about the local animals and area (plus, I figure, until I can become a real NPS ranger, I’ll at least be a junior ranger with a cool pin! :P).

We then drove up the road a bit, saw the famous Balanced Rock, and stopped at the trail for North and South Window. It was a very nice walk, about 1 mile around the formation. The ranger later told us, that although arches and windows were labeled differently, they are formed the same way, and only contrast in name.

A little further down the road was the trailhead for Delicate Arch- symbol of Utah and a gorgeous hike. After strapping on our yak-traks and micro-spikes to deal with the 8” of partially frozen snow, we began our approach. The trail is one of the longer hikes in the park, and involves some uphill climbing, but is well worth the effort. It is about 1.5 miles to the arch (making for a 3 mi. round trip), passing petroglyphs and the cabin of the first pioneers to the area.

It is almost impossible to describe the beautiful sight of the arch with its red rock highlighted by the cloudless blue sky and white snow. The contrast of colors made for some beautiful pictures, even with just an IPhone handy. If you want a closer look at the arch, it is possible to follow the edge of the slope and stand beneath the formation- just watch your step!

It was an awesome experience to have, and the interpretive displays at the visitor’s center were helpful in understanding more about the pioneers to Utah and the Moab area. If you are looking for a bite to eat after a peaceful hike through the park, I highly recommend the Moab Diner! I hope you all get the chance to see the sights of Arches National Park!

The Call of the Wilderness

“Let me transport you to those wild blue mountains,

Though not the loftiest that begirt the land,

They yet sublimely rise, and on their heights

Your souls may have a sweet foretaste of heaven,

And traverse wide the boundless” – Thomas Cole, painter

I love the quote above, because when I read it, I can imagine the sights Cole was envisioning when he penned those words. I recently had a “sweet foretaste of heaven” on a four-day backpacking trip into the Pemigewasset Wilderness. I chose to take this trip solo, and I learned a lot about my surroundings and myself over its course.
During my walk in the woods, I was able to further my goal of climbing the AMC 4,000-foot mountains, and I experienced the views the White Mountain guidebook describes as “unsurpassed”.

My adventure started by climbing Mt. Hale, and then heading down the trail to Zealand Falls Hut and on to Zealand Mountain. Along the way I was able to see various types of lichen, a spruce grouse, the tracks of a moose and enjoy some ripe mountain blueberries.

I spent my first night at Guyot (gee-oh) shelter after having the experience of getting hailed on while summiting a mountain. In the morning, while my gear dried, I took a short day hike to the Bondcliff trail, where I was able to enjoy the sun and the only 360-degree view in the White Mountains with no buildings or roads in sight. Breathtaking!

After my time at Guyot shelter, I traveled over to Garfield Ridge Shelter via the Twinway trail and Galehead Hut. There I got to meet the professionals- thru hikers on the Appalachian Trail who had come up all the way from Georgia- a distance of approximately 1,900 miles. I was able to hear their stories and share a delicious dinner of mashed potatoes and cheddar cheese. When I shared my Starbursts candies as dessert, they introduced me to the concept of “trail magic”- an unwritten code where every hiker looks out for other hikers, through big or small actions.
I got a taste of trail magic my last day, on the Garfield Ridge, when the “trail” became a rock ledge and some kindhearted hikers helped me down by carrying my pack for me.

All in all, my hike was successful. I can’t wait to plan my next backpacking adventure! Over four days, I covered 33 miles, climbed 13 mountains (9 of which were on the AMC 4,000 list) and met many amazing people.

Thanks to all the thru hikers who shared food, coffee, and conversation, and made it possible for me to “traverse wide the boundless”.

The Art of Adventure

 “A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints.” — Wilfred Peterson 

Over the past six months, I have been practicing the art of adventure. I recently became one of the Interpretive Rangers at Franconia Notch State Park. Before coming to Franconia Notch, I lived with 35 other young adults in Bear Brook State park, and had the opportunity to develop friendships, teach 4th graders, learn new skills and explore my surroundings. Now, in Franconia, with limited cellphone service and no Internet connection, I have been able read a lot of books as well as pick up a new hobby of hiking.

As part of the moving-in process, and to gain familiarity with the area, I hiked the Franconia Ridge Loop, which includes Mt. Lafayette at 5,260 ft., and Mt. Lincoln at 5,089 ft. In the past, I was never an avid hiker, even needing to be bribed with whoopee pies as a child. But while living in the White Mountains, hiking a few of the peaks was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. In order to better explore the beautiful sights around me, I chose to pursue hiking, and the challenge that comes with it. My experience on the Franconia Ridge loop was so much fun (even though I got rained on), I now have plans to climb 31 of the 48 AMC 4,000 foot mountains in NH before the summer is over.
In climbing these summits, I have gained new confidence in my abilities, a passion for exploring, and an appreciation for my surroundings. Most recently, I climbed Mt. Moosilauke, by way of Beaver Brook trail. The trail was very arduous, but also followed cascades for nearly a mile and a half. The way also included steep rock faces, wooden staircases, and rock steps.

I chose this route, because I wanted to push my boundaries. I had the whole trail to myself for most of the morning, and when I reached the summit, there were only 5 people present. I felt so successful, and my new 360-degree viewpoint was totally worth the effort.

Since graduating college, I have wanted a job that enabled me to truly experience the areas I tell visitors about, and I am happy to say being an interpretive ranger has provided that opportunity. I love that every time I step outside, I can learn something new, talk to people from various places and backgrounds or explore an interesting spot.
Franconia Notch State Park, and the White Mountains have inspired many artists, visitors and interpreters over the years. It is my hope you will visit, enjoy hiking, sightseeing or an interpretive program and practice your art of adventure!