The Square Life

For outdoor adventure, Utah’s got it all—especially if you live to chase another rush. If you’re at all into the outdoors, there’s almost always something new to see, hike, climb, or rappel. Set your inner adrenaline junky-free, and check out these summer adventure hot spots:

HIKING AND BACKPACKING
If you’re looking to reach new heights this summer—but without the aid of a rope or climbing shoes—there are several noteworthy peaks in Utah to hike.
Closest and perhaps most prominent is Mount Timpanogos. At nearly 12,000 feet, this 15-mile round trip trek rewards its visitors with extensive vistas of Utah Valley and Utah Lake at the peak. Along the trail, you’ll find waterfalls fed by glacial runoff, patches of snow (even in late summer), and green meadows filled with wildflowers. Before the last push to the top is Emerald Lake, a small, but beautiful alpine lake that clearly reflects the awaiting summit.
Looking for a summer-long project? Set your sights on hiking the other peaks visible from Provo like Provo Peak (behind Y Mount), Mt. Nebo (outside of Nephi), Box Elder (up American Fork Canyon), Lone Peak (most easily accessible through Draper), and Cascade (the next major mountain south of Mount Timpanogos). All these peaks boast significant elevation gain and challenging approaches, but are each doable in one day.
King’s Peak, on the other hand, requires a multi-day approach to the summit. At 13,528 feet, King’s Peak is the tallest peak in Utah and draws hundreds of in- and out-of-state visitors each year. This hike demands some respect—as do they all. Be sure to gather enough beta on the route, conditions, and prime hiking seasons before attempting any of these.

RAFTING
Epic white-water rafting on the Green River is one water-based summer adventure worth looking into. There are several companies that offer tours and guided trips down the river and through the Colorado Plateau. While it may be hard to tear yourself away from the river, there are several points of interest worth coming ashore for, like the Anasazi ruins that are scattered across the plateau.

CLIMBING
If you’ve only got a weekend or an afternoon, there’s no reason to feel gypped—not with legendary climbing only minutes away from Provo. For a half-day outing, check out Rock Canyon. With hundreds of bolted climbs, there’s something for everyone. Red Slab, just a five minute walk from the parking lot at the mouth of the canyon, is perfect for beginners.
For intermediate or more experienced climbers, Rock Canyon boasts some more challenging ascents, like Black Rose with routes rated up to 5.12a that will test your climbing skill. And best of all, the face is right off the trail, just below Red Slab.
If you have more time, head up to American Fork Canyon for the day, where the rock and the routes have received national—even international—attention. The canyon by itself is worth the trip with its soaring cathedral-like walls and mix of deciduous and evergreen trees.
If you’re looking for an epic bouldering excursion, look no further than Triassic, located just south of Price, Utah. Known as the land of a thousand boulders, it’s well worth the two-and-a-half hour drive. On your way down, stop and check out Maple Canyon with its more than 100 climbing routes. Joe’s Valley is another bouldering hot spot in Central Utah, known for its sandstone boulders. Ibex, isolated in Western Utah (Delta, the closest town, is 50 miles away) is home to some 250 bouldering problems.
If Central or Western Utah is too far away, Big Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake County will meet your need for sweet lines (check out the S Curve), and Little Cottonwood Canyon has enough bouldering problems to keep you busy for the summer.

CANYONEERING
Some of Utah’s most fascinating and unique land formations are its slot canyons scattered across the southern end of the state.
Zion National Park is home to some of these canyons. The Narrows—one of the more well-known canyons—takes its patrons on a 15-mile slog through the Virgin River. To complete the entire canyon requires a permit and at least a full-day of hiking, but an out-and-back trip up to Wall Street (from within the park) is more feasible for hikers looking for a shorter trip.
Some of the slot canyons you can explore (like Imlay and Heaps, also in Zion National Park) require proper technical equipment for exposure to water for long periods of time as well as significant experience in and equipment for navigating rappels. Be sure to have the right equipment and expertise before taking on those types of canyons. Also, because of the nature and location of many—if not all—of these slot canyons, flash flooding is a significant risk. Certain seasons and months of the year are more dangerous than others.
Other regions with noteworthy slot canyons include the San Rafael Swell, Escalante, and Cedar Mesa.

PHOTO CREDITS: Corbin Allred (Timp Hiker), Myron Nillson (River Rafting), Matt West (Zion)