Tag Archive: wasatch mountains

Snow – Aspen – Pine – Winter Fog – Wasatch Mountains

Snow - Aspen - Pine - Winter Fog - Wasatch Mountains

A dusting of snow covers a forest of aspen and pine in Big Cottonwood Canyon, a canyon in the Wasatch Mountains, that is accessible in the summer and winter months from the Salt Lake Valley in northern Utah.

The Wasatch is a 250 mile long north-south mountain range in northern Utah, that is begins south of Mt. Nebo, the ranges highest point 11,928 feet (3,636 m), at the southern end of Utah Valley and ends near the Bear River close to the Utah/Idaho border. Its known for world class hiking, and what Utahan’s have called the greatest snow on Earth, during the ski season.

Geologically, the Wasatch are considered part of the larger Rocky Mountain range that features most prominently in Colorado to the East.

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Wildflowers and South Peak of Timpanogos – Utah

Wildflowers and South Peak of Timpanogos - Utah

Wildflowers and South Peak of Timpanogos, Wasatch Mountains, Utah

Mt Timpanogos is an 11,752 ft peak in the Wasatch Mountain Range that rises above the surrounding Utah and Heber Valleys. Even though the shortest hike to its summit is more than 14 miles, it is one of the most hiked mountain peaks in the Rocky Mountains. The two primary trails to it summit are from Aspen Grove via Provo Canyon and the Alpine Loop near Sundance Resort, and the Timpooneke Campground in American Fork Canyon.

The mountain derives its name from a native american tribe that inhabited the area around the mountain at the time of the arrival of Mormon pioneers in Utah.

In addition to being a designated wilderness area, the mountain also hosts a national monument near its base, that was setup to protect beautiful cave system discovered by various individuals between 1887 and 1921.

It has been said that the mountain resembles a sleeping indian princess, and that its a legend that came from local tribes, but its more likely the tale as its known today came from Eugene Lusk “Timp” Roberts, a professor at Brigham Young University, who was trying to promote the mountain to the world. Roberts was also the creator of an annual one day hike that attracted thousands of people between 1911 and 1970. The hiking event was ultimately cancelled due to the damage done being to the mountain over the years.

Historic Heber Creeper Locomotive – Utah

Historic Heber Creeper Locomotive - Utah

The Heber Valley Railroad, also known as the Heber Creeper, is a historic tourist train that operates in the Heber Valley of Utah. The railroad offers scenic train rides through the beautiful Wasatch Mountains, allowing visitors to enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscape and experience a piece of Utah’s history.

The Heber Creeper runs on a 16-mile round-trip route between Heber City and Vivian Park in Provo Canyon. The train features vintage steam and diesel locomotives, as well as restored passenger cars from the early 20th century.

The train offers several different themed rides throughout the year, including seasonal rides such as the Pumpkin Train, North Pole Express, and Easter Bunny Train.