SHORT HIKES (<1 HOUR)
5. SNOWBIRD
An excerpt from Utah - Part 1:
... A popular ski destination in the winter, Snowbird is the best way to see the depth and beauty of Little Cottonwood Canyon without doing much hiking. Take the tram to the top, behold the views, walk through the mountain via tunnel, and ride the chair lift down...
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4. FANTASY CANYON
An excerpt from Utah - Part 3:
... the natural rock formations in this canyon look like they belong in an abstract sculpture garden. It's only ten acres large, but if you're snap-happy with a camera you can probably spend a few hours here...
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3. EMERALD POOLS (ZION NATIONAL PARK)
An excerpt from Utah - Part 6:
... This area features three hikes at various levels of difficulty. The longest hike is three miles. Each path takes you to a different view of the pools...
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2. SILVER LAKE
An excerpt from Utah - Part 1:
... Part of Big Cottonwood Canyon, this hike is a breeze - the trail is paved by boardwalk. It should take you no longer than a half hour to encircle the lake, but when you get here, you might feel more inclined to take your sweet time...
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1. PARK AVENUE TRAIL (Arches national park)
An excerpt from Utah - Part 3:
... At just over two miles, this short hike is a great way to stretch your legs. You won't find any famous arches here, but the huge sandstone monoliths along the trail will defy logic to the geologically uninformed...
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MEDIUM HIKES (1-4 HOURS)
5. DOOLEY KNOB (ANTELOPE ISLAND STATE PARK)
An excerpt from Utah - Part 1:
... This two-hour long, moderately strenuous hike will reward you with stunning views of Salt Lake. The more adventurous will opt for the half-day Frary Peak, but that's a lot more effort for only slightly better views...
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4. FIFTH WATER HOT SPRINGS
An excerpt from Utah - Part 2:
... A 2.5 mile hike (one-way) with a moderate incline will take you to about a dozen hot Sulphur pools, which you are free to bathe in. Get there early or you'll be bathing with a bunch of tourists and a few naked old men...
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3. LOWER CALF CREEK FALLS (ESCALANTE NAT'L MONUMENT)
An excerpt from Utah - Part 4:
... A literal oasis from the surrounding desert, this hike takes you in and out of lush greenery along the flow of a creek... The trail ends at a picturesque waterfall, where you can stop for a nice picnic lunch. If you don't mind freezing water, feel free to take a dip...
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2. DELICATE ARCH (ARCHES NATIONAL PARK)
An excerpt from Utah - Part 3:
... Hopefully you've saved your energy for this short but strenuous hike uphill to see the park's crown jewel perched above a sandstone bowl...
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1. ANGEL'S LANDING (ZION NATIONAL PARK)
An excerpt from Utah - Part 6:
... If you have the slightest fear of heights, skip this. Renowned for its narrow trail and rather insane drop-offs, there is little room for error and nothing stopping you from falling to your demise other than a chain. Most hikers stop at Scout Lookout; the final stretch of the hike can only be described as death-defying...
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LONG HIKES (5-16 HOURS)
5. SUNSET POINT - SUNRISE POINT (BRYCE CANYON NAT'L PARK)
An excerpt from Utah - Part 6:
... From Sunset Point, descend down the switchbacks (trails switching back and forth), past the most famous hoodoo in the park, Thor's Hammer... The Queens Garden Trail takes you up to Sunrise Point, where you can walk back to your starting point, with beautiful views along the rim...
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4. DEVIL'S GARDEN TRAIL (ARCHES NATIONAL PARK)
An excerpt from Utah - Part 3:
... The trail is easy terrain, but it's eight miles long, so it'll take you a half-day to complete. Along the way, you'll see seven great lesser-seen arches, beautiful wild-flowers, wildlife, and a solitary, towering monolith known as the Dark Angel. For an extra treat, try to find the petroglyphs hidden west of the monolith...
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3. ESCALANTE SLOT CANYONS (ESCALANTE NAT'L MONUMENT)
An excerpt from Utah - Part 4:
... If you've never seen a slot canyon before, here's your chance to see three in a row - Peek-a-Boo Gulch, Spooky Gulch, and Brimstone Gulch - each increasingly difficult to pass. If you go for three, it's a five-mile loop, but it's pretty technical at certain places...
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2. NEON CANYON - GOLDEN CATHEDRAL (ESCALANTE MONUMENT)
An excerpt from Utah - Part 4:
... At ten miles round trip, you won't have much time for anything else today, but when you arrive to the end of the hike, which involves crossing a river several times and walking across shadeless desert, you'll be treated to a naturally shaded sandstone amphitheater with a pool just deep enough for a dip. Spend some time here - it's a special place...
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1. THE NARROWS (ZION NATIONAL PARK)
An excerpt from Utah - Part 6:
... You'll be hiking through a river at mostly knee-deep, though sometimes waist-deep water, surrounded on both sides by massive canyon walls. Because of it's popularity, you'll be joined by hundreds of other people in what feels like some kind of religious exodus to the promised land. Consistently ranked among the top hikes in the world...
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