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Looking for a break from the city? How about a mountain escape?
A place to enjoy the serenity and beauty of the great outdoors.
Somewhere to take the kids to burn off some energy.
Nature is calling!
One of the things I like best about living in Utah is how easy it is to get into the mountains. A 20 to 30 minute drive from most places around Salt Lake City and you are in the mountains surrounded by nature. You can easily spend half a day or more exploring.
Hike the trails, head to the ski resorts, take scenic drives, or pack a picnic lunch and eat in one of the parks. The options and places to visit feel endless.
We love to take the kids to enjoy the mountains in the spring after the snow has melted. It’s a great opportunity to look for animals, to enjoy the fresh air, and be in nature. You can find hikes that are great for families, adventurers, or are more technical. Now that the boys are older, they can hike pretty well and we carry our baby in a front carrier. We typically go on hikes that are less than 2 to 3 miles round trip when we’re hiking with the kids though we can go further when they are really in the mood for a long hike.
So, whether you are looking for a relaxing afternoon, a bit of adventure, or a good workout; here are 3 reasons to head to into the mountains this spring:
1. Crisp Mountain Air
The shoulder season between winter skiing and summer biking brings a calm to the otherwise busy ski resorts. As temperatures start to climb in lower elevations, the mountains offer a fantastic break from the impending heat.
It’s a great opportunity to get out of the city for a mountain escape. Walk on some of the roads and trails where the snow has melted and get your heart rate up. Pack a picnic lunch, and enjoy the fresh air of the mountains.
In early June, “A” and I went for an afternoon mountain escape to Powder Mountain. I was reminded of the beauty of spring in the mountains. Melting snow around the ski lifts resulted in a particular charm. The air cool and crisp smelled of spring.
We went for a walk down the road from the parking lot near the top of the mountain and took pictures of the beautiful landscapes. We’ve had a lot of rain lately so everything was still very green and lush this year.
After our walk we had a snack on the deck of the restaurant and spent more time taking in the breathtaking views. The restaurant was closed while we were there, but opens at the beginning of July aligning with the start of the mountain bike season. Heading to one of the resorts is a fun opportunity for lunch in the mountains even if picnics aren’t your thing.
2. Serenity of Nature
Spring is an amazing opportunity to get out on the trails after the snow has melted.
Mountain snow melt fills the streams and rivers creating a harmony of running water. Fresh smells of trees and grass fill the forests. Birds are chirping in the trees, chipmunks are scurrying through the underbrush, and baby animals are filling the forest.
Last week we went hiking on the Mount Nebo loop, a scenic drive that runs from just outside Payson in Utah county to about 5 miles outside Nephi in Juab county. There are areas of the drive with steep drop offs and the scenery can be distracting so it’s important to pay attention while driving and use the designated pull outs. We couldn’t drive the entire loop as part of the road was closed due to slippery areas, but we could still access the loop from both sides.
The kids enjoyed walking on the trails, throwing stones into the stream, and watching for animals. They found several chipmunks, deer, and even a little snake! We stopped for a picnic at Devil’s Kitchen and enjoyed the warmth of the sun, and being surrounded by nature.
As an aside: when hiking in spring, be sure to keep an extra close eye on children near streams. The water can be especially fast flowing and dangerous. If your children are like ours they’ll be attracted like magnets to the water.
3. Beauty of Wild Flowers
Whether you are in Cache, Weber, Summit, Juab or any of the counties in between; spring is the best time to enjoy the mountain wild flower blooms. Spring melt brings life to the mountains. Once the temperatures start to heat up the blooms fade and this seems to happen pretty fast. I find the sight of fields of mountain wild flower enchanting.
This spring we stopped and walked around a field of flowers near Wolf Creek Resort on the way to Powder Mountain. The area was pretty muddy so we didn’t spend too much time, but the sea of yellow flowers was so beautiful against the lush green back drop. In past years we’ve hiked to Cecret Lake to enjoy the wild flowers.
If you’re driving and you stop to enjoy the flowers up close, make sure you pull off onto a safe area. If you head off the trail, tread lightly to preserve the beauty for others. The fields can be wet so you may want to pack an extra pair of shoes in case you get muddy.
