Day Hike

This past Saturday I found myself sitting on the couch watching TV at nine in the morning. I realized that this was the first time in a long time that I had an entire day without a single thing planned to do. Lately I have been running crazy trying to get as much fun crammed into this summer as I can. So what would do with my "free" day? I could have easily sat there and watched SportsCenter all day long. I could have found a good book to read. I could have done the dishes. Instead I decided to go on a hike.

I am lucky enough to be close to some very cool hiking locations. There are a few peaks along the Wasatch front that are popular destinations for the day hiker. Starting in the north you have Mount Timponogos, Squaw Peak, Y Mountain, Spanish Fork Peak, and Mount Nebo. I had only been to the top of Spanish Fork Peak, twice actually, so I decided that I would hike to the top of Y Mountain.

I want to start by saying that I recommend this hike to anyone that likes the outdoors. The trailhead is right here in Provo, as you first must hike to the Y. The trail then heads out from the southern point of the Y and heads around the intimidating bluffs that over-look the town. I had figured on two hours to get to the top and an hour and a half back. If you go on this hike in the middle of the day I suggest taking plenty of water. If I were to do the hike again I would want to leave early in the morning. The sun just beats down on the south slopes in the afternoon.

It took us about three hours to get up to the top. We weren't in any kind of hurry though. I bet at a good steady pace it can easily be done in two to two and a half hours. Most of that time you will be hiking uphill, so be prepared for a workout. All of that work however, is paid off in the end with some very awesome views.

From the top you can see all of Utah County from American Fork to Payson. You can also see the other popular peaks along the front. But the real view is off of the back side of the peak. You get a firsthand look as some of the roughest mountains around. I consider myself an adventurous person, but i would think twice before taking off across some of those ridges.

All in all, the hike was a success. We were back within six hours of leaving, and that was with plenty of resting and sightseeing. No one got hurt and I didn't waste the day away in my apartment.

My Adventures Wish List

It was another hot summer night and I caught myself day dreaming about places that I would like to visit. With my recent romp in the Bronx, I remembered how fun and un-relaxing it is to travel, and I like it that way. I realized that every spot that I thought about visiting is not quite the big city routine of say, New York, or even the popular destinations in Europe. I have included my top five wish list for vacation spots, and also the big draw for me to want to visit them.

5. Montana

I love green, I love the mountains, and I love to fish. Ever since I was about ten and I saw the movie A River Runs Through It, I have been drawn to Montana. I don’t think I even know what the movie was about, but I can’t get the scenes of flowing mountain rivers, the whip of the fly-line, and legitimate trophy trout out of my head. Someday I hope to spend a week in my waders and try my hand at taming that wild.



4. British Columbia

I know what you are thinking; what could Canada possibly have to offer besides a cool picture with a Mountie and discount pharmaceuticals? Well, without doing any research on real statistics, I’d say Canada is about as close as you can get to untouched wilderness in the western hemisphere. With opportunities to hunt in British Columbia, I wouldn’t mind going after a Caribou, Brown Bear, and definitely a once in a lifetime Moose.


3. South Africa

Here is one that is hard. Not only because it is so far from home, no matter where in the US you call home, but because Africa just scares me. It’s not the man-eating lions, overly-aggressive Hippos, or even the stealthy salt-water crocodiles. What scares me most about Africa is political unrest and human disease. I know that not all of Africa is as bad as Hollywood and the news media would have me believe, and that is why it makes it on my list. I really would like to carefully plan a safe trip and have the opportunity to see what the Discovery Channel has been trying to show us for years.


2. South America

I really mean Southern Chile and Argentina when I write South America. For the last few years I have really wanted to go down and see first hand how beautiful the lower third of the continent is. After spending two years in the central part of Chile, I came home with a head full of stories the Chileans would tell me of huge rivers full of salmon and high mountain lakes so clear you can see heaven’s reflection. And while I am down there I might as well get my money's worth and visit Argentina, where I have heard rumors that you will not find better dove hunting in the entire world.


1. Kodiak Island

This should come as no surprise. Remember what I said about Canada being the most untouched wilderness in the western hemisphere? Well, Alaska might be the only place on earth that trumps that statement. And on Kodiak Island there is a higher concentration of Brown Bear then anywhere else. I don’t want to go all Timothy Treadwell and become one with the bear community, but honestly I can’t imagine anything cooler then watching a feeding frenzy during the salmon run. I doubt I will ever see that, but at least I would like to go on a guided bear hunt. While I am at it there is so much more that Alaska has to offer. I wonder how long I would have to go for to soak it all in?

Feel free to comment and tell me about your outdoor adventure dreams.

One more thing: Chris LeDoux say’s you haven’t lived until you see the Northern Lights. Add that to the list of why to visit Alaska.