help a lost soul

My head is spinning due to marital issues so I'm going to recharge my soul by heading into the mountains this weekend. My best friend (4 legged) and I are looking for someplace close to Salt Lake that would be good for a short weekend backpacking trip. Snow is an issue up at the higher elevations and I'd like to keep the drive time under 3 hrs if possible. I'm in pretty good shape and don't mind working for a good view.

Any recommendations given the constraints?

-t

I recommend Lake Blanche \ Sun Dial Peak. It is a nice area!

Thanks for the reply

I don't believe you can take dogs up either Big or Little Cottonwood.

I am not of a peak bagger, more of the southern utah explorer. If you don't mind heading south, I am sure we can find a couple of places for you to backpack.

San Rafael area is perfect with dogs.

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Originally Posted by Alex

San Rafael area is perfect with dogs.

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Alex,

I've ridden my scooter all over the San Rafael Swell. Any place in particular that you'd recommend. I'll pull out my maps and guide books.

I think Dark Canyon would be an awesome gateway from people.

Check out the TR Indexes, I am sure you can find something cool in there:

http://www.bogley.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=712

Grand Gulch is awesome too.

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San Rafael area is perfect with dogs.

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Good choice early in the year, but the area is not really idea for summer IMHO! It's hotter than heck out there unless you're somewhere like the Black Boxes or Chute.

Anyway, near SLC, anywhere in Mill Creek is open to dogs (i.e. Bowman Fork makes a nice backpack). Same with the mountains in Utah County. Most areas in Utah County are open to dogs. Plenty of choices in Utah County.

Also the Western Uintas. Up high there will be lots of snow, but places like Yellowpine Lakes probably don't have too much.

Dark Canyon is great this time of year. We just did a three day trip last weekend. Started at the trailhead at Big Notch and came out Peavine. It's a nice moderate 3-day trip with good water sources. There are places along that route that look just like Zion.

The only problem is that it is about a 7 hour drive from Salt Lake.

Good luck with everything.

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Originally Posted by Brewhaha

Dark Canyon is great this time of year. We just did a three day trip last weekend. Started at the trailhead at Big Notch and came out Peavine. It's a nice moderate 3-day trip with good water sources. There are places along that route that look just like Zion.

The only problem is that it is about a 7 hour drive from Salt Lake.

Good luck with everything.

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Trip report! Trip report! :popcorn:

TR Forthcoming - Probably not for about 4 weeks ;-( when I get my camera back.