After a hike one morning, I got a hair-brained idea to do 100 hikes in 2015. I think I was inspired by my latest trip to Zion and my morning hike to Guardsman Pass. I was laying down in my warm bed with a nice warm cup of tea next to me when I made this decision. I calculated that if I do one hike weekly and a few small weekend trips throughout the year I could probably get to 75 trails. BUT that just doesn't sound as sexy as 100 hikes in a year, so I up'd it. Call me crazy! I agree.
Here's the deal, I truly am an amateur. Therefore, any advice I give you can take at face value. The gear I'll review or buy is all from a layman's perspective and I'm definitely not being paid or rewarded for it.
Today is January 15, 2015 and here's the hikes I've done so far this year.
Guardsman's Pass. I went there via Big Cottonwood Canyon. I think this hike was about 5 miles round trip. It was a clean, easy hike because we walked along the snow-packed road. The Kahtoola microspikes I had just purchased were awesome. My footing never slipped and I felt completely secure. However, I have a crappy back so my spine was sore that night because it did have to work as my footing adjusted itself. BUT, I did feel pretty bad-ass in the spikes.
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| Guardsman Pass |
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| On the way to Guardsman Pass Overlook. |
Zion National Park was amazing. The perfect quick getaway because it's accessible from Salt Lake City and you can find easy to moderate hikes; and obviously difficult ones like Angel's Landing. (My goal this year is to hike Angel's Landing.) I hiked the Overlook (by the tunnel) and The Grotto to Emerald Pools. The lower pools were closed so we had to go in and out the same way. I wanted to hike in via The Grotto to Kayenta to the Upper Pool and out by way of the lower pools but because of ice and snow the lower pool was closed. For information on the various hikes check out Utah.com or Zion National Park.
I went January 2nd and 3rd. There was quite a bit of snow but it was packed down and hikeable. I did slip coming down of the Overlook but the rest of the trails were navigable, and when I was in the warm sun I did not even need a coat; however, as I got closer to the pools the hike was inset and shaded. It did get a little chilly.
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| Zion National Park Canyon Overlook |
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| Zion National Park The Grotto and Kayenta Trail |
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| Zion National Park The Grotto and Kayenta Trail |
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| Emerald Pools |
Bryce Canyon.
We visited Bryce for a few hours on our way home from #Zion's. I had never been and was awestruck but the grandeur of it. Incredibly beautiful. It would have been perfect for snowshoeing. We stopped by various overlooks and walked around. For my purposes this year, I'm calling it a hike. Want more information on #BryceCanyon, visit Utah.com or BryceCanyon.com
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| Bryce Canyon Inspiration Point |
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| Bryce Canyon Aqua Point (I think) |
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| Bryce Canyon Natural Bridge |
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