Here we are at the beginning of 2022! We made it back from our trip to Utah and now we’re all trying to gear up for the new week and the new year ahead. I feel like our visit to Utah just went by so fast. We spent our days enjoying being with family, eating a lot of food, and playing outside in the snow as much as we possibly could.
As we were flying into Salt Lake City, I kept looking out the window at the mountains. I knew what cities or counties we were flying over and started looking for familiar landmarks. Since leaving Utah, I can’t tell you what direction anything is because without the mountains to guide me I am hopelessly lost. Those mountains were always such a guiding and grounding force in my life and they make up so much of who I am. Seeing the first peaks of the mountains there was this great swell of being home.
My house is right at the bottom of the foothills of the mountains. Looming above the street is the beautiful Rock Canyon (pictured left) which was covered in a blanket of clouds as we pulled into the neighborhood. But the next morning we had a clear, stunning view of Mount Timpanogos from my back porch (pictured right).
The morning started with a walk up the canyon along the Provo River Trail. This trail begins up the canyon then follows the river through the city of Provo down to Utah Lake. The total distance of the trail is about 15 miles. But the section in the canyon is by far the prettiest part of the trail.
After walking along the trail for a little while, then it was time for some sledding. This was Tessa’s first sledding experience and she loved it! She would happily stay outside riding down the hills all day long. It didn’t matter that after awhile her feet were frozen and she had snow packed in her hair by her face- she was not about to quit. We went sledding every day after that, sometimes a couple times a day, so she could get in all the sledding thrills she could.
After a brief spell of warming up with hot chocolate, we went for a hike up Rock Canyon. I love this trail and when I lived here I could hike for hours. This time however, I didn’t make it very far at all. I realize just how much I have adapted to the lower elevation of Tennessee and my lungs were not quite ready for hiking the Utah mountains again. But being back on the trail was amazing. Hiking in the winter really is one of my favorite things.
While Tessa and I hit the sledding slopes again the next day, Brad made his way up to Park City for some skiing. He is an avid skier and has been looking longingly at the mountains waiting for his ski pass to open so he could go. Park City ski resort has over 7000 acres with hundreds of trails to explore. The 2002 Winter Olympics were held here and the world tuned in to see the beautiful mountains of Park City. Park City is considered one of the top resorts in the country for skiers and snowboarders.
Our last visit up into the mountains was an evening hike up a small trail in the Big Springs Natural Area up Provo Canyon. Of all the many trails I’ve hiked, this one was hands down my favorite. I came up here almost every day. I saw it change through all the seasons and in turn it saw me through all my different seasons. Winter hiking is lovely, especially in the evening when the light is low and it is so peaceful that you can hear the water from the stream next to the trail.
All too soon, it was time to go back to the airport. There was so much more I wanted to go and do and see, so many favorite places to eat that the feast at home wouldn’t allow for, and still more people that I wanted to say hello to and give wishes of a good new year too. Already we’re planning another trip out here in the coming months. I caught a last glimpse of Salt Lake with the mountains behind it before getting to the airport where they have embraced the snowy season as well.
If you think snow in Utah is beautiful, then these winter scapes might interest you:
Fall Creek Falls State Park, Tennessee
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
It was so great to be home again and hiking up in the mountains. While some people may not be fans of the snow, I can’t think of anything better this time of year than to be surrounded by a winter wonderland. Here’s wishing you a wonderful 2022!
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