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Utah has such wonderful hike and bike trails – I came across this article and wanted to share it will all of you – in fact stay tuned for our new Uniquley Utah pages on hiking and even more information on these places! Never a better time then in the fall when you can see the beautiful leaves! Enjoy…

Do you love to hike? Next time you visit Utah, pack your hiking boots because we have some of the best hikes in the country. Yes we have 5 National Parks filled with amazing hikes, but there are even more amazing trails tucked around the state that you may need to look a bit more carefully to find. Here are just a handful of hikes for you to consider, five great Utah hikes!

1 – Stewart Falls

Stewart Falls is a popular hike for both Heber & Utah Valley residents because it is so easily accessible, short (approx 3.5 miles round trip), family friendly and one of the most scenic, and photogenic, waterfalls in northern Utah. Its falls cascade over 200 feet in two tiers. It is an easy-moderate hike through forest on the east side of Mt Timpanogos. While it is a great family hike, please note that the descent from the ridge down to the base of the falls is quite steep and little ones should be kept close. Spring is a great time to view the wildflowers, summer is pleasant because of the water and shade, and fall is even better because of the brilliantly colored foliage. One of our favorite family hikes!

2 – Y Mountain

Brigham Young University (commonly called the “Y”) sits against the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Years ago the University got permission and put a cement Y on the side of the mountain. It is high enough to see from all over Utah Valley and has simply become a tradition for BYU students and the community to climb. The view of Provo and Utah Lake are beautiful and make this a popular “date hike” both for families and students. The trail is quite rocky and extremely steep, so wear comfortable shoes, stay on the trail and plan to take it slow. There is very little shade on this hike, so plan on taking on Y mountain in slightly cooler weather.

3 – Bald Mountain

Bald Mountain is one of the easiest mountains in Utah to summit, which surprises many, at approximately 12,000 ft. But the trail head sits at about 11,000 feet, so over the two mile hike (4-miles round trip) you don’t gain a lot of elevation. Views from Bald Mountain Pass though, are very impressive, and as you climb to the summit the views get even more magnificent. You have a clear view of Mirror Lake, and several other small lakes in the the Uintas. Note that the hike is above the tree line and so there is no shade. So plan this hike in cooler weather and protect you skin year round, the impact from altitude can surprise you.

4 – Ben Lomond Peak

Ben Lomond is the highest peak overlooking the Ogden area at almost 10,000 feet, and is strenuous. From the summit, you have great views of the Wasatch Range, Salt Lake City, and it is always beautiful to look over the Great Salt Lake. Locals suggest this Peak was the inspiration for the logo for Paramount pictures. Paramount founder William Wadsworth Hodkinson sketched the logo based on his memories of his youth in Ogden, so it always makes it a fun hike a “famous” mountain. Also, look out for equestrians & bikers on this trail.

5 – Lone Peak via Jacobs Ladder in Draper

This hike is not for a novice, but is worth the trip if you are an experienced hiker. It’s long and steep, but truly magnificent. It provides clear views of every peak in the Wasatch mountain range, at approximately 11,300 feet. Depending on your experience level and weather conditions, plan on anywhere from eight to 12 hours to complete the hike. (There is a 5,000+ foot elevations gain!)

Of course use caution on any hike, dress appropriately, and always carry plenty of water along. Before you hike always let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return. As you practice safe hiking you’ll be able to enjoy some of Utah’s and the world’s greatest locations.

Utah has such wonderful hike and bike trails – I came across this article and wanted to share it will all of you – in fact stay tuned for our new Uniquley Utah pages on hiking and even more information on these places! Never a better time then in the fall when you can see the beautiful leaves! Enjoy…

Do you love to hike? Next time you visit Utah, pack your hiking boots because we have some of the best hikes in the country. Yes we have 5 National Parks filled with amazing hikes, but there are even more amazing trails tucked around the state that you may need to look a bit more carefully to find. Here are just a handful of hikes for you to consider, five great Utah hikes!

1 – Stewart Falls

Stewart Falls is a popular hike for both Heber & Utah Valley residents because it is so easily accessible, short (approx 3.5 miles round trip), family friendly and one of the most scenic, and photogenic, waterfalls in northern Utah. Its falls cascade over 200 feet in two tiers. It is an easy-moderate hike through forest on the east side of Mt Timpanogos. While it is a great family hike, please note that the descent from the ridge down to the base of the falls is quite steep and little ones should be kept close. Spring is a great time to view the wildflowers, summer is pleasant because of the water and shade, and fall is even better because of the brilliantly colored foliage. One of our favorite family hikes!

2 – Y Mountain

Brigham Young University (commonly called the “Y”) sits against the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Years ago the University got permission and put a cement Y on the side of the mountain. It is high enough to see from all over Utah Valley and has simply become a tradition for BYU students and the community to climb. The view of Provo and Utah Lake are beautiful and make this a popular “date hike” both for families and students. The trail is quite rocky and extremely steep, so wear comfortable shoes, stay on the trail and plan to take it slow. There is very little shade on this hike, so plan on taking on Y mountain in slightly cooler weather.

3 – Bald Mountain

Bald Mountain is one of the easiest mountains in Utah to summit, which surprises many, at approximately 12,000 ft. But the trail head sits at about 11,000 feet, so over the two mile hike (4-miles round trip) you don’t gain a lot of elevation. Views from Bald Mountain Pass though, are very impressive, and as you climb to the summit the views get even more magnificent. You have a clear view of Mirror Lake, and several other small lakes in the the Uintas. Note that the hike is above the tree line and so there is no shade. So plan this hike in cooler weather and protect you skin year round, the impact from altitude can surprise you.

4 – Ben Lomond Peak

Ben Lomond is the highest peak overlooking the Ogden area at almost 10,000 feet, and is strenuous. From the summit, you have great views of the Wasatch Range, Salt Lake City, and it is always beautiful to look over the Great Salt Lake. Locals suggest this Peak was the inspiration for the logo for Paramount pictures. Paramount founder William Wadsworth Hodkinson sketched the logo based on his memories of his youth in Ogden, so it always makes it a fun hike a “famous” mountain. Also, look out for equestrians & bikers on this trail.

5 – Lone Peak via Jacobs Ladder in Draper

This hike is not for a novice, but is worth the trip if you are an experienced hiker. It’s long and steep, but truly magnificent. It provides clear views of every peak in the Wasatch mountain range, at approximately 11,300 feet. Depending on your experience level and weather conditions, plan on anywhere from eight to 12 hours to complete the hike. (There is a 5,000+ foot elevations gain!)

Of course use caution on any hike, dress appropriately, and always carry plenty of water along. Before you hike always let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return. As you practice safe hiking you’ll be able to enjoy some of Utah’s and the world’s greatest locations.

This article will help you in your search for ancestors – if you are coming to SLC to look up your genealogy – do this first. Then come stay with us we have some great specials and fantastic places to stay!

Doing a genealogy research, and interview for the first time can be an overwhelming and intimidating thing to do, however, it doesn’t have to be this way. Just get a sense of how you and your family will feel once you have completed your genealogical research. Also get a sense of how your ancestors would be once you have completed the research. Listed below you will find some important tips and information that could help you with your task.

• Before you start your interview makes sure you have prepared a list of questions you want to ask, this will serve to keep things flowing during the interview. Also, be sure the place you choose is a quiet and relaxing place. You might want to consider bringing a video recorder or tape recorder in order to tape the interview, this would help the flow of the conversation as well.
• The first people to interview should probably be your parents, this is because they will have memories of the recent family history, which would be a great place to start your genealogy research. You can then move on to uncles and aunties and grandparents (who will be able to delve even deeper into your family roots), don’t forget distant cousins who may have some important information to share. It’s also worth noting that in order to complete your family reliese that even the smallest snippit of information should be regarded as important too.
• At this point it would be a good idea to check out all the information you have collected so far such as all marriage documents, birth certificates, death certificates, tapes, video footage, and copies of electoral rolls and any other documents you have that will help you with your genealogy research.

So that’s it as they say you have now collected and researched a vast amount of information about your ancestors and it’s time to start creating your family tree. Two popular ways of doing this would either be by hand using a family tree chart which you can purchase on the Internet or off-line store, or purchasing a good genealogy computer program. Either option will do a great job it’s just a matter of you making the choice that’s right for you.

Temple Square is located in downtown Salt Lake City situated on a beautifully landscaped 10-acre plot of ground. It is one of Utah’s most visited attractions.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Tabernacle Organ

Visit the home of the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The auditorium is dome-shaped and so acoustically sensitive you can hear a pin drop on the pulpit 170 feet away at the back of the hall. Enjoy the symphony of sound from a magnificent pipe organ with 11,623 pipes, one of the world’s great musical instruments. The Tabernacle organ was originally built by Harris Ridges. The organ has been rebuilt, electrified and enlarged to its current size.

A Gothic-style building with stained-glass windows sits on the southwest corner of Temple Square. This is the Assembly Hall, a jewel of a building, constructed by Latter-day Saint pioneers in 1877. The Temple Square Concert Series presents complimentary hour-long concerts every Friday and Saturday evening. Admission is Free. Only those eight years of age or older are admitted to the concerts performed by local and international artists.

June through August, the Temple Square Concert Series performs Concerts in the Park at the Brigham Young Historic Park on the southeast corner of State Street and Second Avenue.

Concerts are held Tuesday through Saturday during the Christmas season.

Seagull Monument

The Seagull Monument located on Temple Square stands a memorial to the flocks of seagulls that saved the crops of the early Saints in the Salt Lake Valley during the summer of 1848.

North Visitor’s Center

There is a magnificent 11-foot statue of the Savior, and on the recently remodeled main and lower levels there are exhibits on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Representatives are available for complimentary tours of the visitor’s center and Temple Square as well as other sites nearby.

The Museum of Church History and Art

Features:

• A covered wagon like those used by pioneers

• An immigrant’s ship bunk

• View of an 1847 log home

• An original 1830 Book of Mormon

• Fine art from around the world

• Exhibits about migration, settlements and men who served as prophets and presidents of the Church from 1830 to present

• Interactive media, films, and demonstrations enhance the treasured artifacts, art, and documents

• Children’s activities such as puppet shows, films, and costumed actors.

Tour the Joseph Smith Memorial Building that was formerly the Hotel Utah built in 1911. The stately building has been completely renovated and reopened in 1993, named in honor of the man who was instrumental in restoring the gospel of Jesus Christ, translating the Book of Mormon and organizing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the building’s Legacy Theater you can view the film that last approximately 70 minutes and depicts the life and legacy of Joseph Smith.

Take a look at the Salt Lake Valley from the 26th-floor observation decks of the 28-story Church Office Building, which is headquarters of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On the east, is a view of the Wasatch mountain range, on the west is the Oquirrh range, and the State Capital Building to the North. This view is one great way to become oriented on a visit to Salt Lake City.

The Beehive House

This is a free 30-minute tour of the home Brigham Young and his family lived in during the 1800s. It is now a National Historic Landmark, beautifully restored with furnishings of the period. The house was built in 1854 and was Brigham Young’s home when he was President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and governor of the Utah Territory.

Source: Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Utah Online

Important Disclaimer: The URL address in the resource box of this article is not associated with any of the attractions mentioned in this article. This article and the web site are offered as a resource for formulating vacation ideas.

© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved

Utah is one of the most historical places in the US. There are many activities that one can do when visiting Utah. It is an ideal place for families and friends to visit. Famous tourist spots within the area offer a myriad of activities that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Upon the mention of Utah, the first thing that comes to one’s mind would be the Grand Canyon, with its majestic scenery filled with cultural wealth, history, and mystery. Other places that travelers must include in their list are Zion National Park, Green River, Salt Lake City, and of course a Utah vacation will never be complete without a trip to one of its ski resorts.

Here are some facts that make Utah the greatest skiing venue on earth:

• Utah’s mountain ranges houses the tallest peaks that can be found in the US.
• Five hundred inches of powder-dry snow falls annually on Utah’s skiing grounds.
• You can find more than a dozen world class skiing resorts within the area that offer all day accessibility to skiing and snowboarding activities.
• Top ski resorts in the world are located in Utah’s downhill skiing venues.
• With just an hour drive from Salt Lake City, Utah’s resorts offer accessibility and ease of travel to tourists of all groups.
• Other than skiing, there are also various activities offered in Utah ski resorts such as snow boarding, sleigh rides, ice skating, back country ski tours, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing.

Utah ski resorts offer first class amenities that are highly accessible to skiing and snowboarding activity sites. Often referred to a one of the most beautiful skiing areas of all, Utah is the ultimate holiday dream vacation for many families and groups of friends. During summer, Utah is also a tourist attraction with its hiking and biking activity highlights.

Some of the most famous ski resorts in the world are found in Utah such as Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort, and The Canyons Resort, all with world class amenities to ensure guests a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Ski lessons for children are also offered in these various resorts that will ensure fun activities for visitors young and old. After a day of skiing, one can sit back relax to enjoy the serene mountain range views, with good food and good evening entertainment.

The start of winter marks the much awaited skiing season when these ski resorts become open to tourists once again. Cabins and lodgings become available to families who have anticipated all year to spend their holidays at this great ski resort. Ski tour packages are offered by various travel agencies, some offering packages that are inclusive of plane tickets and free lift rides.

When planning on a Utah vacation, be sure to include in your list some of the most interesting places that you can find within the area. Utah is a magnificent place to experience, truly the greatest snow on earth, a holiday paradise fit for the entire family.

How to Take Your Family on a Fossil Dig In Utah

Want to do something completely different at a low cost this summer? Consider traveling on a real fossil dig and gemstone hunt in Utah.

You can easily put together 3 days jam packed with fossil and gemstone collecting – many specimens you get to keep and take home. For example, on day one (1) you might consider going to hunt for dinosaur bone. Learn exactly what to look for and how to identify a fossil that’s well over 65 million years old. You may also find really gorgeous Petrified Wood. Please make sure you are on land that your are allowed to travel on and pick specimens from. NOTE: The only kind of dinosaur you may be allowed to take are truly unidentifiable small pieces. Anything that looks like a specimen bone needs to be reported to local authorities.

On your second day you may want to consider Trilobite hunting which is particularly cool and fun in Utah.

What is a trilobite?

A trilobite is form of invertebrate marine life that lived more than 500 million years ago, but are now extinct. These hard-shelled prehistoric critters roamed the sea floor and coral reefs in search of food. (Sea Floor – but now this is 6000 ft above sea level!!) Because of their great diversity and often perfect preservation in fine-grained rock, they are one of the most popular fossils among collectors.

Imagine, you are over 6000 ft above sea level in an area that once was the sea! Buried and trapped in the hardened mud (SHALE) are small but really cool Elrathia Kinghi Trilobites that lived over 500,000,000 years ago. Whoa! That’s like 250 million years BEFORE the Dinosaurs. Some of these specimens can be quite valuable. Some can be worth hundreds of dollars depending on quality. WARNING and a small word of caution. Do not drive a regular car into any of these areas. Just to get to a good trilobite dig site – you need to drive about 28 miles on a very rough dirt road and you will get a flat tire unless you rent or own a large 4-wheel drive truck. You don’t want to be stuck in an area where cell phones rarely work!

On day 3 – you may want to consider a little gemstone hunting. Some of the best TOPAZ GEMSTONES in the world are found in Utah. “Topaz” is also the official gemstone of Utah. Watch out though – getting to these gemstones is not easy and may require you to blast (yes – with dynamite) a rock just to release the beautiful stone hidden for million of years. In reality – you could also use a good heavy rock hammer to split open the rocks that the Topaz Gemstones may be trapped in. Hunting for Topaz is particularly good after a rainstorm as the smaller crystals get washed down the mountains and you can see them sparkle in the sunlight.

Do you like GEODES? Who doesn’t! Some fantastic specimens ranging from 1-inch to over 1 ft wide can be found in Utah as well. Geode hunting will require that you have permission to dig on a particular property. Very rough terrain to drive on as well to find these treasures. When you find the right spot or you, and you can dig these out of the ground, excitement will overtake you as you crack them open to expose the gorgeous crystals inside.

So go ahead and start planning your fossil dig trip to Utah right now and stay tuned for additional articles on Fossil Digs you can go on.