Monday, April 8, 2024

Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge, Bonneville Shoreline Trail, Utah- March 2024


March is here and the foothills have mostly melted out. Prime time on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail! I got the family out for an adventure and we decided to get my son out to see the Suspension Bridge over Bear Canyon. The trail is snow free, but is muddy in the shady sections. This was a really enjoyable walk, including a hike through some boulders that were much like a cave! A bit more trail and we arrived at the bridge! It kind os sways side to side when you walk on it. We crossed and then found a spot to post up.

We took a nice break and my son was having a blast climbing all the granite boulders where we were. We eventually made our way out on a different trail lower on the hillside that looped us back to the start. It was a very nice trail and provided some much needed shade after descending from the BST. A really fun day hiking! Enjoy the pics and check out the YouTube video linked! More adventures to come!

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Quail Trail Loop, Central Wasatch, Utah- March 2024


Spring has come early here in the Wasatch Front! I decided to take a day off the snow to get out on the trail, and peek around at the fishing holes for the Tenkara rod. The trail starts just south of the middle school at a easment in the neighborhood. As a youth we used to hike this part of the trail down to a huge chunk of granite that was moved glacially millions of years ago call "Big Rock." I decided to cut this end of the loop down to this area to see it and revisit a plave I have not been in over 30 years! After Big Rock, the creek was shallow and empty enough to cross so I did and ended up at the first step down. I crossed the creek and began investigating the fishing holes. Getting down to one of them, I slipped and fell. Upon doing so my left middle finger jammed a rock and it was pretty ouchy. I continued my hike, and made it to a spot I have seen fish previously and I actually have caught a few. It was tricky with a hurt finger, but I was able to tie one on and I got a few hits, but alas nothing landed. I packed it up and continued on to finish the loop. The trail on the south section is probably the one I would recommend taking in and out if there was high water in Little Cottonwood Creek. I would not make this a loop if it was high water. Fall and spring are the best time to attempt this hike. As I reconnected with the first section of trail, the sky was omnious with grey clouds which the sun was shinning through. A good all around hike for when the upper elevations have been reclaimed by winter. Enjoy the pics and YouTube video! More adventures to come!

Monday, March 25, 2024

Cabin Run, Mill D North, Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah- March 2024


I decided for this early March storm, I would visit an old haunt that I would visit when I was first getting into backcountry and splitboarding. It once again was snowing, and I was happy to be out in it once more. The walk in was beautiful with big flakes flying and the cold wind on my face. As I rounded the corner into the drainage, the flakes picked up and really started accumulating. I found the skin track I was looking for and made my way up. The area was untouched above here and I was breaking trail till where I decided to top out! I dropped in and had a really nice run in the trees and just a nice cruise all the way out. Great day in the mountains!

Monday, March 18, 2024

Bluebird Powder Day, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah- February 2024


Finally, I got a sunny day out on the splitboard! Another February storm refilled the canvas, so you know I was not going to miss my chance to get another day out there. I navigated the canyon traffic and got a spot. I put on the boots and off I went. As I climbed it definitely seemed the wind had its way with certian aspects. Other aspects were filled in and smooth like silk. The sun was strong as it begins to be at this time of year.

It was pretty quiet out there. The spot I wanted was untouched! I made my way to the porch and then switched it all over. The ride out was really fun and fast! Bluebird Powder Days are a rarity this year so I really enjoyed this one! Enjoy the pics! For the ride home watch my YouTube video below. More adventures to come!

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Absolute Blizzard Splitboarding, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah- February 2024


We got another atospheric river event that collided with a cold front and you know I was going to get out to experience it! I made my way up the canyon and got a spot! I put on the boots and headed on up. It was snowing pretty good when I made my way to the first up. By the time I got up the third angle, it was a full on blizzard. It never let up! It just snowed harder as the wind was gale force at some points. visibility was limited, and anytime you could get in the trees to get out of the wind it was a pleasant thing.

After climbing in blasting winds and snow, I made my way to the top of my line I was shooting for. I made the switchover, then it really came in. It put down a good foot in less than an hour, and it was super deep and windloaded. I dropped in but could barely see anything and was really feeling it more than seeing it on the way down. Once I got in the trees it was a little better, but not by much. I got stuck thigh deep on a flat section that I usually just cruise through on the way out. this was still visible on the way up, but completely buried now! I could not believe how much had accumulated in such a short amount of time! It was a challenging ride out, but a really fun exit with a over the head face shot on the way out! Enjoy the pics and gifs and make sure you watch my YouTube video for a live action version of this report! More adventures to come!

Monday, February 19, 2024

Splitboarding Terraces To Elbow Fork, Millcreek Canyon, Utah- February 2024


Well it snowed again, so I decided to avoid the traffic in the Cottonwoods and just roll up the road in Millcreek Canyon. It was a beautiful day, fresh snow in the trees and the sound of running water. This was not a hard ski trail, it was just a walk from the gate at Terraces to Elbow Fork. Nice to get familiar with the area and I will for sure come back for a bigger adventure. The ride out was pretty mellow and just nice to be sliding on snow! Enjoy the pics and be sure to watch my YouTube video from this day!

Saturday, February 17, 2024

Splitboarding Grizzly Gulch, Wasatch Mountains, Utah- February 2024


Finally back at it! A storm moved into the area and I decided it was time to get after it. The snow on the way up was nice, just enough fresh to keep the skin track from being icy! I made the climb as the snow became more intense. After a while I finally topped out. The ride home was a mix of powder, wind buff and wind scrubbed surfaces. Still a really great day on the splitboard! Enjoy the pics and watch my YouTube video for the full experience! More adventures to come!