Hiking The Living Room, Wasatch Foothills- April 2023

The high terrain is going to be a while. With the mix of warmer temperatures and these spring rain storms, more terrain has opened up in the Salt Lake Foothills. I have not done a solo to the Living Room in a few years. So I figured since we are confined to the terrain we have, I'd make the best of it. The hike started out very nice and perfect temperatures. I was surprised in the first gulch that the ice was gone. Pretty much dirt trail all the way to the first saddle. The views opened up and I took it all in.

The rest of the climb was pleasant as more of the view came into view. There was a pile of snow at the Red Butte junction, and it looked like the snow was still hanging out in the trees. As I made my way to the Living Room on the final switchback, the Sun Dog that was front and center was amazing! I reall was able to get this on video! Check out the video below! I topped out and there was only a couple of people up here. They left shortly after I found a seat and put my feet up. I took it all in for a while. Its been a bit where I have just took it easy at the top. The hike out had diffused light and was about as perfect as you get. Spotted a Deer on the hillside on the way down feeding on the new gamble oak buds. A great day and it was really nice to back hiking in the mountains! Enjoy the pics and check out the video below! More adventures to come!

Spring Hike & Fish, Wasatch Mountains, April 2023

What a difference a week makes! With a warm up in temperatures, I decided to hit the west facing trail this time. I wasn't out for the adventure I was after the week previous. I was just up ofr some walking and some fishing. The last time I went fishing was Mid-October. The trail was clear of snow and the temps were perfect. Winter has surely done a little damage to this trail, but not washing it out all the way. I arrived at the lake and started fishing.

It was very slow at first. No surface activity, and I figured with the winter we had, per usual I wasn't gonna land anything first day out. But as the day tured to evening, the fish got really active. I got 5 nice ones including this lunker on dry flies! What a great day to just be in the zone, casting away, not a care in the world. Eventually I was all fished out, and it was time to go. The glow from the evening sun was glorious as I made my way back to the trailhead. Enjoy the pics and make sure you check out my YouTube channel for a video from this day. More adventures to come!

Spring Reconnaissance Hike, Wasatch Foothills- April 2023

Every year there comes a time to take a look at how the dirt has been doing. I packed the micro spikes and headed up to the local trail to scout our conditions after this record breaking winter! The first 1/4 mile was dirt trail. Then I had to put the spikes on for the rest of the time. The snow was punchy and slushy in spots. But pretty consitent most of the time while hiking.

As I went above the lake the snow depth became deeper and harder to manage because it was soft. I was occasionally post holing as I went which in micro spikes kind of sucks worse than regular post holing. I was able to make a loop up there and made my way back out the way I came in. It was gonna take a lot of heat to melt this place out. Enjoy the pics and check out my YouTube video from this day! More adventures to come!

Splitboarding Grizzly Gulch, Wasatch Mountains- March 2023

Its endless winter here in Utah! Another 40" of snow to wrap up March! Little Cottonwood Canyon has now hit 800" for the season! And we are not done yet! After braving the road closure traffic, I arrived at a empty trailhead. I had to break trail to the first shot uphill. It was so deep and snowing the whole time. Once up on the Grizzly Road it was single tracked but still very deep! The climb in was really nice! Snow just nuking the whole time on the skin track. I love touring in a storm! Its like being on a whole different world! The snow quality was right side up and the depth was off the charts. Once I got up the track into Main Grizzly Gulch, I made my way up to my turn off. I was going to have to break trail to the top! It was snowing so hard at this point the last 200 yards were a full on blizzard and nearly white out conditions!

I eventually got to my spot and it was snowing so hard! I put on the dry layers and bundled up and kind of just hung out and enjoyed being in this snow storm! After a bit I switched to ride mode and dropped in. It was powder from the drop all the way to the Jeep! Some areas were bottomless and it truly felt like flying! This continues to be the winter that doesn't quit! If its gonna keep snowing, I am gonna keep going! Stoke level at 11! Enjoy the pics and make sure you check out my YouTube video from this day to get the full immersive expereince! Please like & subscribe! More adventures to come!