Stewart Falls - American Fork Canyon

Directions:Trailhead is up American Fork Canyon Alpine Loop road by the Mt. Timpanogos trail head. there are several trails so follow the signs
Duration: 1.5hr -2  hours
Distance: 4 miles out and back
Difficulty: Easy/Medium - June thru October
This is a fun and easy day hike and the falls is refreshing to sit by and very beautiful.
Makes a great picnic day hike.

link: http://www.utah.com/provo/hiking_trails.htm

Lake Blanche, Lily and Florence and Sundial Peak - Big Cottonwood Canyon

Directions: park at the S curve on the road up Big Cottonwood Canyon/trailhead is here (about 4.5 miles up the canyon)

Duration: 2.5 hours - or about 3 if hiking with smaller hikers - or if you are really sick thinking you have allergies and don't want to admit it that you are - really sick -  and  have to stop a lot.

Distance: about 2 3/4

Difficulty: Medium if you are in reasonably good shape.

It is mostly uphill with a little climbing over rocks toward the top. Lots of people had hiking sticks and it would be a good idea if you have knee issues as there is a lot of uphill on the way up and amazingly enough.. lots of downhill on the way down.

Tips: we took lots of water and drank it all. It was July and freakishly hot...even in the mountains (aorund 100 the day we did the hike) We took a water purifier and were really glad to have it. Take a nice picnic, its a beautiful place to lunch.
While going up I thought... I will never do this again. But after seeing how amazingly beautiful it was ...I probably will. Just not when I am sick!
Definitely want to bring your camera. Bug spray is a good idea since there are some mosquitoes just before the lake (don't remember being bugged by any while at the lake though. Lots of flies during the summer - which was a blessing (kept us moving) and a curse (annoying).
The extra distance to Lake Lilly and Florence just beyond was well woth it and even though you are probably going to be tired, take a breather and press on. Sundial peak is wonderfully beautiful, the other lakes are also amazing, peaceful and picturesque. there is a great waterfall between Blanche and Lilly and lots of places to relax and enjoy the day.
When I do it again I am going earlier in the day and spend a little more time up there.

Day Hike - Donut Falls - Big Cottonwood Canyon

This is a fun, fairly easy hike that many families do as a tradition. It doesn’t take too long and it’s pretty amazing without too much effort.

stinging nettles - don't touch! /yarrow - good for cuts / sticky geranium / wild carrot

Distance: ¾ mile

Duration: about 30 minutes

Difficulty: easy/medium – there were people with babies in packs, small children and lots of grandparents there with their grandkids. Some climbing involved in a couple of places and some elevation at the beginning of the trail, but otherwise fairly flat.

Climbing to the falls may be tricky as the rocks or dirt areas are often slippery and can also be unstable but most people climb up and go in to view the falls as it comes through the “donut”.

Directions: about 9 miles from the bottom of Big Cottonwood Canyon turn off at Jordan Pines and follow the road up past the private property signs to the parking lot trailhead

along the trail/ your feet will get wet... these were the perfect shoes!/ some pretty plants by the falls/ going straight up

on the bridge/good shoes-plan to get wet or go barefoot/the mouth of the falls cave/ inside

view from the top/the top of the falls/ looking down/ pretty but don't eat - black twinberry

Tips: A picnic is popular. There are some flies (deer flies and horse flies but while annoying they aren't too bad). The trail has lots of wildflowers but also stinging nettle (see above picture for identification if you don't know what it is- tall skinny plant with serrated knife shaped leaves and white tassel flowers) next to some parts of the trail so watch out for it and make sure your kids don’t touch it.

Here is a link to more info: http://www.utahoutdooractivities.com/doughnutfalls.html

Katherine Pass Day Hike

Place:  Little Cottonwood Canyon – end of the canyon by Albion Basin Campground

Location: there is a trail head by a ski lift as you go to the top of Little Cottonwood canyon, past the booth and up a dirt road (not open until July 4^th so if you go early.. less hikers but you will have to walk further)

What to do: Hiking, nature, flowers, picnic

Time of Year: mid spring to fall

Fees: no

Camping:   Albion  Campground is nearby and very nice. You will probably see moose!

Picnic area: yes – anywhere along the way.. favorite resting/picnicking spots – top of Katherine or by Mary or  Martha   Lakes

We hiked to the top from the paved parking lot and it took us 4 hours up and back. We are in pretty good shape but we did stop a lot... first big hike of the year

If you plan on hiking up and going to the lakes (good fishing if you have a license) it will be pretty much all day.

I have done this with Grandpa and little kids and everyone can do it.. it may take longer.

Don't forget water and snacks, sunscreen and hats. Hiking sticks are a good idea and a camera is a must!

pictures from the trail and a tiny White Crested Sparrow nest on the ground! bonus!

If you park a car at Brighton you can hike all the way over.. then you have to go back and get the car but its a nice hike. It will take all day

early spring flowers

Legacy Highway and Jordan River Bike Trail

Place: Along the Jordan River and Legacy Highway

Location: here is a great link with map and directions - you can get on in many places and go as long or little as you like

http://www.udot.utah.gov/main/f?p=100:pg::::1:T,V:2274

here is a link for the Jordan river portion. They are connected.

http://www.bikeslc.com/jordanrivertrail/default.html

I like the Legacy portion as you don't have to cross any roads and can ride uninterrupted for longer. The trail is mostly flat and paved although there are some dirt parts. It is along suburban and rural areas and very beautiful. Many parts are by the river and shaded by trees.

What to do:  Get on your bike and ride!

Don't forget water, snacks, helmet and sunscreen!

Lots of people also jog, walk and rollerblade.

Time of Year: any time there is no snow - unless you want to walk it in the snow

Fees: none

Camping:  - no

Picnic area: yes - there are parks and stops along the way

Annual Little Red Bike Race

Place: Logan Utah – or thereabouts

Location: different start areas but generally in the area of Logan and all around and back

What to do: This is a Ladies only bike ride – register early to get in (February)

It is a wonderful, fun, well supported race that will accommodate any level of ability and fitness. Everyone is welcome to enter and proceeds benefit Breast Cancer.

It usually has a fun theme – like this year was Bollywood with decorations, Indian Food, bollywood themed music and dancing and some fun Jersey ’s.

Time of Year: usually last weekend in May/first week June

Fees: yes – to participate (goes to a great cause) none if you are just volunteering or supporting.

Camping:  yes, there is usually a field to park in or tent in.

Picnic area: yes

Chalk Art Day Downtown SLC! Second Week in June

Chalk Art Festival – Gateway

Sponsored by Utah Foster Care

Place: Gateway Shopping Center - Salt Lake City

Location: downtown Salt Lake Gateway – west of the main downtown area

What to do: Walk around and check out some amazing chalk pictures done by Utah and other chalk artists, check out shops and booths, music, play in the fountains, grab a bite to eat at the many wonderful restaurants and food places in the shopping center, watch people and generally have fun.

Time of Year: second weekend (Friday and Saturday) in June

Check their official website for the dates to register to volunteer, participate or just go wander around and have fun

Fees: yes – to participate (goes to a great cause) none if you are just visiting

Camping:  - not really .. there are camping areas near Salt Lake but this is a day activity

Picnic area: yes

This is a great fun family activity or date.

Its all done for 2013 but look for it in June of 2014!

Chalk Art Festival Downtown Salt Lake June 13 and 14, 2014! See you there!