Just watned to start a thread about winter hikes within a 1 hour drive of the Salt lake/utah county area.
I am snowshoeless and cramponless. So this that cnt be done with boots and gators.
Any suggestions would be great.
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Just watned to start a thread about winter hikes within a 1 hour drive of the Salt lake/utah county area.
I am snowshoeless and cramponless. So this that cnt be done with boots and gators.
Any suggestions would be great.
I've done a lot of the hikes in the Wasatch without shoes or crampons. Sometimes the ice gets thick in the shade and crampons would be nice, but it's not like your on a death defying ridge top or anything so they aren't necessary by any means. If you go a few days after a storm, the trail is so packed down by snowshoers and backcountry skiers you really can do it in a good pair of boots. A really great place to go in winter is 5th water hot springs, it's up near Spanish Fork canyon, so about an hour drive from SLC. Shane's site has info on how to get there (http://www.climb-utah.com) or just google it and I'm sure you can find directions. We did it without snowshoes in January, again just wait until a few days after a storm and it should be nice and packed down. Nothing like soaking in the hot springs on a 20 degree day!
Antelope Island is a good winter hiking destination (usually little to no snow (depends how much snow is in the valley), especially if you have never been there. Another of my favorites in winter is up to broads fork then up to the ridge to the east, the view into the Lake Blanche Fork from the ridge is AWESOME! I've been in the summer and it's just not the same, for some reason it seems twice as spectacular in the winter. I've been to lake Blanche, White Pine Lake, and Maybird Lakes all in winter. Great way to get away from the nasty inversion.
Eric.
Fifth Water might be the best winter hike on the planet!
http://climb-utah.com/WM/fifth.htm
:roll:
Wow, that looks really interesting. I would love to hit that this winter.
Check that out!
http://climb-utah.com/WM/Files/Fifth5s.jpg
Man, I need to sign up in the circle of friends so I can hit this.
Pfft. If you need directions, I'll gladly share with you. :smile:Quote:
Originally Posted by Sombeech
I went once when the snow was falling, and it was one of the best hikes I've been on. The only thing that sucked was stripping down and changing into dry clothes for the hike back to the car. Oh, and being too drunk to drive home and sleeping in a Ford Escort at the trailhead wasn't too fun either. :haha:
Last June we went and the bridge to the bottom trailhead was washed out so we had to come in from the top. Anyone know if they've repaired it? If not, I imagine the creek is not a raging river like it was then and could be jumped or crossed without getting wet?
The forums at Soak.net are a good place to check for conditions at the springs.Quote:
Originally Posted by rock_ski_cowboy
The latest news there says that you still can't get into the parking lot, but that you can park 1/4 mile away and cross the creek on a makeshift bridge made of logs.
that seems cool is the diamond fork close to Provo?Quote:
Originally Posted by Sombeech
:nod:
Diamond Fork is up Spanish Fork Canyon. About 1 1/2 hours from SLC. Here is a video clip of the hot springs.Quote:
Originally Posted by hesse15
http://climb-utah.com/WM/fifth-v.htm
Its a really cool place. Perhaps we should plan a uutah group hike?
I vote for Jauary 28th. That is the weekend between the NFL Conferance Championships and the Superbowl.... in other words... kinda of a boring winter weekend.
:rockon:
Only if Shane wears his speedo. :roflol: :roflol: :roflol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Iceaxe
I'll wear the white one with the skidmark in back just for you :haha:Quote:
Originally Posted by shaggy125
I do not have troubles with guys on speedo,in europe guys still use them no problemQuote:
Originally Posted by Iceaxe
seems american they have big problem with that as girl with bikini
(girls here were the same biggy bag swimming suit that my mom was wearing in 1950s)
Yeah, you need to show us how it's done! Teach us americans a lesson. :nod:Quote:
Originally Posted by hesse15
no problemQuote:
Originally Posted by Sombeech
you wear your speedo iam wear my bikini
DEAl :five:
Sombeech in a Speedo :roflol: :haha: :roflol: :haha: :nono: :nono:
....
You mentioned being crampon-less/Snowshoe-less. No big deal but you might check out YakTrax. for $25-$30 you get some quick grip in the icy areas and can shed them fast the rest of the time. I take 'em even in the summer if I'm over 10,000' as the trails can be pretty slick. :cripple:
The product site is:
http://yaktrax.com/
But check your local toy store.
Don
Those look pretty cool Don and cheap. Thanks for the tip. :2thumbs:Quote:
Originally Posted by dbessee
No problem.
Like all gear there are some limits. Most of them are commons sense (don't technical climb in these!) but the one to mention is that you can lose them in deep snow depending on your boots. I've never had trouble with this but one of my buddies has lost two (so he's back down to a pair from buying two sets :wallbash: ) I'm sure mine have saved me sprained ankles and sore tailbones many times but don't get carried away :cripple:
See ya out there!
Don