FNG needs hiking advice

[Clint]

New to Utah and I want to go hiking soon. I am in Salt Lake area and want to know if any of y'all know any good trails that are open now and not covered in snow. I wanna stay in this area and not drive down to south Utah. Any advice would be great and helpful.

 

[Nick]

Probably too early for most of the stuff in the SLC area. The stuff out west like the Stansburys, Antelope Island, etc. Will probably open up sooner but the latest I've seen still shows a lot of snow out there too. Looks like it's starting to thaw out though.

 

[Aldaron]

You're probably not going to have much luck there. This time of year, southern Utah is your best bet...and even it has some snow in places.

Looking out my window, even Antelope Island is pretty covered right now. I would suggest keeping an eye on Antelope, because it often melts out faster than anything in the mountains.

You can also watch for the west side of the Stansbury Mountains at places like Muskrat Canyon.

Unfortunately, once the snow starts melting, the trails just all turn to mud pits for a few weeks, and that's usually less fun than the snow. I tried Muskrat once in the spring, and after about 100 yards I had already had enough of the 15 pounds of mud on my boots.

Welcome to Utah! It's a great place to live, but if you don't like snow (like me), then southern Utah is where it's at from about late November until early April...or May...or June...or July!

 

[Aldaron]

Probably too early for most of the stuff in the SLC area. The stuff out west like the Stansburys, Antelope Island, etc.

You posted while I was writing...I'm glad we both suggested the same places!

 

[Clint]

Fair enough, not really what I wanted to hear but I guess I'll have to deal with it right. BTW I got the stickers and I really appreciate it. So basically I have to go south.

 

[Clint]

I don't really have a problem with snow just yet (only 1 winter so far) but I am ready for it to go away. I've enjoyed some of the winter activites but ready for something else. We went snowmobiling this past weekend for the first time.

 

[moose droppings]

Welcome to Utah.


SLC seems to be transitioning into the shoulder season now. any worthwhile trail is either completely or partially covered in snow, with the bare spots most likely being muddy. adn not much is going to change at least for the next coupla weeks after looking at the NWS short term forecast. However, this time of year lots of folk like to stretch out there legs in city creek canyon, bonneville shoreline trail, even the groomed road up in Millcreek Canyon is enjoyed by folks not really into snowsports.


If you plan on making a future here in SLC, i'd suggest looking into the various snowsport options to explore the wonderful winterwonderland of the wasatch and uintah [and other nearby] ranges, gain more exposure to fresh air, to also maintain your general fitness heading into spring hiking/backpacking desert season, and to keep your sanity. winters are longer than you'd think, the dog-days of winter-inversion seriously takes it toll on the human psyche, and suprisingly, the deserts of southern and western utah are not that much more hospitable for winter escape (be prepared for snow [ less of it], below freezing hi-temps, and lots of cold wind).