Utah – Page 2 – On the Loose Live

Stupendous Stewart Falls in the Summer and Fall, Sundance, UT

November 16, 2024June 11, 2025livevigorously

Distance: ~3.5 miles out and back via lower trail

Elevation Gain: 650 ft (You’re starting at about 6,100 ft)

Difficulty: Easy to moderate, depending on your fitness level

I finally made it to the spectacular 200-foot, double-tiered Stewart Falls! What took me so long?

(The truth is, I’m guilty of prioritizing marvelous Mount Timpanogos via the Aspen Grove or Timpooneke routes when I’m up here and rarely have time to fit in this quickie.) This time, I fit in Lake Blanche in the morning and made this my afternoon destination. A bit of driving, but worth it.

This lovely, runnable, single-track trail through the forest is especially enchanting in the Fall, with the Aspens at the height of their color. You can’t beat the splendid reward of this shortie

Make a day of it; check out the beautiful grounds of the Sundance Resort, grab a bite, and browse the shops.

Turns out Stewart Falls is just as splendid in the summer. In fact, with the snow melt, it really rushes and mists, and you may get to see additional falls!

Getting there: The trail begins at the Aspen Grove Trailhead parking lot. The entrance fee is $10 or free with a National Park Pass. This lot fills early, and they do ticket cars along the street. Pay close attention to the “No Parking” signs; they’re easy to miss.

Happy Trails!

Lovely Lake Blanche, Twin Peaks Wilderness Area, Salt Lake County, UT

October 18, 2024August 5, 2025livevigorously

Distance: ~7 Miles

Elevation Gain: ~2,800 FT (Evenly distributed across the 3.5 miles.)

Difficulty: Moderate +/-, depending upon your fitness level

Known as one of the best hikes in the Twin Peaks Wilderness Area, Lovely Lake Blanche, with its dramatic granite spire backdrop (Sundial Peak), has an allure of its own. Hence, its well-documented, high-profile social media status and popularity.

Begin your hike along the rushing creek on your left and make your first right onto the Lake Blanche Trail. The climb is gradual and consistent, with colorful foliage (in the Fall) and peak-a-boo, foreshadowing views of Sundial Peak up ahead and down the canyon to the Great Salt Lake Valley to the West. I kept waiting for the climb to get steeper as I’d read reports that this hike was “challenging.” Perhaps I was just transfixed by the scenery, as you’ll see why.

Lake Blanche and its smaller sister lakes, Florence and Lillian, sit at 8,888 feet. The lakes were a bit low but still high on the beauty scale. While it’s a popular hike, there’s plenty of room to find your zen once you reach the lakes. Just keep strolling past Lake Blanche, where most people seem to congregate.

There’s an off-trail hike up Sundial Peak; I’ll have to try it next. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time this time.

I revisited in late July and just missed the wildflowers! Must go earlier next year. This time, I was running short on daylight, so off-trail exploration is still to come.

Directions: Take Big Cottonwood Canyon Road to the Mill B South Fork Trailhead. The parking lot fills FAST as in FULL at 7 AM on a Saturday.) Parking is allowed along the road, but that fills quickly, too!

Notes: Unfortunately, dogs and swimming aren’t allowed due to the area being a protected watershed.

Happy Trails!

Fifth Water Hot Springs, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

October 12, 2024livevigorously

Fifth Water Hot Springs has been on my radar for years. I’ve seen the gorgeous pictures on IG and FB, but I knew the experience would be more like an “attraction” than a hike, so I haven’t gone out of my way to check it out. On this adventure trip, it was on my way with daylight to burn. While its popularity is a major deterrent, I decided to brave the “crowds” and finally see it for myself.

I arrived midday. (Yes, it was a mistake, but it was either now or never). (If you can, go at dawn.) The parking lot was full. People were parked at risk along the roadside. Luckily, I found a pullout a mile back and didn’t get towed or ticketed. (However, I did see a tow truck getting busy on the way back.)

Lots of people (too many) on the trail and in the pools, as you’d expect. It definitely has more of a water park vibe. I guess that’s to be expected with an easy, short, 4.5-mile roundtrip hike near a big city (SLC).

The trail to the pools along the stream is especially lovely in the Fall.

As you get closer, there’s a slight smell of sulfur that seems to dissipate when you reach the pools.

The waterfall at the end was a nice surprise.

I satisfied my curiosity. Would I go back? Only if I can make it to the trailhead at dawn.

Notes: The road is closed in the winter. Info here. Harmful bacteria may be present in the hot springs. Info here

Getting there: Take the US-6 towards Price and make a left on Diamond Fork Road.

Crystal Lake Trail: Gateway to a Multitude of Alpine Lakes and Ponds, Kamas, UT

August 14, 2024August 14, 2024livevigorously

If you like alpine lakes and friendly trails, you’ll have plenty to choose from, starting at the Crystal Lake Trail and hiking in virtually any direction. Forget peak bagging for the day and enjoy some lake hopping instead. This area wins my record for most lakes and ponds in the least mileage. The more miles you cover, the more lakes and ponds you’ll see in this dazzling area of the Western Unitas. I combined 2 loops going in opposite directions and visited a mind-blowing 32 lakes and ponds in 15 miles—yep, that’s a whopping 2 sparkling lakes per mile. (But whose counting? LOL, the Garmin, thank goodness, as I lost track!) Despite the parking lots being jam-packed, surprisingly enough, the trails weren’t overrun. (Island Lake had the most people—big family groups.) Overall, I saw more lakes and ponds than people—now that’s a perfect scenario.

Distance: Create your own lake-hopping adventure.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate+, depending on your fitness level and altitude acclimation

Altitude: All hikes in the 10k ft range

Getting there: Milepost 25.5 off of the Mirror Lake Highway. (This highway is closed from late October through Memorial Day.)

Notes: Parking and overflow lots fill fast in peak season, especially on the weekends. There are several campsites in the area, but most require reservations. Boondocking and backpacking are options.

Discover Provo River Falls, a Scenic Must Stop Along Mirror Lake Highway (150), Kamas, UT

August 5, 2024livevigorously

Just when I thought the scenery along Mirror Lake Highway couldn’t get better, I saw the sign for Provo River Falls and turned off (<15 minutes east of Kamas). This enchanting roadside waterfall has three tiers (upper, mid, and lower), lovely terraces, and multiple cascades. It’s a must-stop if you’re driving Highway 150. There’s a short paved path alongside the 3 waterfalls. The water temperature ranges from 35 to 55 degrees so the mist from the waterfall is wonderfully refreshing, especially on a hot day.

Enjoy!