Utah's Wasatch Crest, is it for kids?

The Wasatch Crest Trail is one of the most beautiful trails in Utah.  It is a 12.5 mile trail that runs the distance between Big Cottonwood Canyon and Mill Creek Canyon. Along the trail you can view Park City, as well as several lakes and peaks on the Salt Lake Valley side.  This is a popular and well-travelled trail.  If you plan to ride in the early summer you will want to call local bike shops to see if anyone has ridden the trail yet.  You want to make sure it is open and ride able.  If snow fields are still covering the trail, you might want to consider waiting a few more weeks to ride.
The Crest trail is filled with many fun trail sections as well as challenges even for the most avid mountain biker.  Although this is an amazing trail it is not a trail you could take just any kid on.  The youngest kid I have seen on the trail was 10 years old.  He was in excellent shape, and had some obvious biking skills.  This trail is for bikers with lots of experience and has the ability to pace them. A good age range would be around 12 years old, with at least a one year of true mountain biking experience.(dirt roads don't count!)   The shortest time I have ridden this trail in about 1 1/2 hours, but that was really cranking on the uphill as well as down.  The average time our group has taken is about 2 1/2- 3 hours.  That time line gives us the ability to take our time, and wait for everyone to catch up.  The longest time was over five hours.  We had two preteens on bad bikes, and had numerous flats.   With that said your bike should be in good condition with tires that are in good condition.  Even getting a tune up right before the ride would be a great idea.  It would really suck if you got 6 miles in, and your bike broke!

Tips and Suggestions:

•  Remember the Millcreek trail only allows bikers on even numbered days!  A way to remember this and city creeks trail is "It is ODD to ride on the road, EVEN better to ride on dirt."
• Call a bike shop before you ride in the early summer.  You want to make sure the trail is open.
• The Millcreek gate is open from July 1st through Nov 1st.  There are less hikers and dogs when you bike before the gate opens.  The ride down from the end of the Crest to the gate is about 3 miles, all downhill. 
• You can ride down to the bottom of Millcreek, it is about 9 miles.  Add another 2 if you are biking to get your car parked at Dan's on Wasatch. 
• Consider taking the Pipeline trail to the bottom.  It starts about 1.6 miles down from the Crest.  It is an easy 6 mile ride to the bottom of the canyon.  You can always bail if you are too tired: after the series of 4 switch backs there is a "Y" as the trail flattens out.  Take a sharp left, the trail takes you back to the road. 
• Water! Don't forget your water! You will need it especially on warm days.
• Take a camera.
• Take a snack, or Power Bar.
• Wear your gear!  If you want to BOMB the downhill, wear your elbow and knee pads!  There is nothing worse than having an injury and not being able to complete the ride!  (Unless you want a Helli ride!)
• Ride in the morning, then you don't have the sun in your eyes as you descend into Millcreek.
• Use a bell, or a child’s horn to warn hikers that you are coming.
• Take a first aid kit.
• If you do decide take a young biker on this trail, please be patient!  I have seen a dad yelling his sobbing child to "Keep up with the group!"  Take your time and allow for breaks.

The best way to ride the Wasatch Crest trail is to use a shuttle. There is a shuttle that picks bikers up at the carpool parking by Dan's Food on 3961 S. Wasatch Blvd.  The cost is around $15 for you and your bike to be taken to the top of Guardsman’s pass.  If you have a group of friends, you can always meet at Dan’s, and use one vehicle to shuttle your group to the top of Guardsman. After the ride, you will have to go back up to the top of Guardsman to get your vehicle.  The best way is to have a driver that is willing to take you to the top of Guardsman, and drop your car off at Dan’s, or pick you up at the top of Millcreek Canyon.

The Wasatch Crest starts in two different places. 
Lower Wasatch Crest Guardsman Road trail head: Get to Big Cottonwood Canyon (Wasatch Blvd and 72nd South) and drive up past Solitude Resort (about 15 miles). Just before you reach Brighton, the road to Guardsman Pass turns off on your left. At 0.8 miles, you'll see a red metal gate. Exactly one mile later (1.8 miles from the fork in the road), you'll see a dirt road on the left. GPS N 40° 36.817' W 111° 33.532'.  You can park anywhere along the hairpin turn.  Ride down a steep dirt road to a gate, carry your bike over the gate, and you are ready to start the trail. 
Upper Wasatch Crest Guardsman Trail Head:  Travel past the hairpin turn (as stated above) to the top of the road, before it descends into the Park City side. There will be a dirt parking lot on your right side at the very top of the canyon, you can park anywhere.  Just north of the parking lot is a dirt road, which is the start of the trial.  As you start up the dirt road, you will see a single track off to your left, which is the start of the Upper Wasatch Crest Trail. 
The difference between starting on the lower or upper is a little less uphill climbing.  The upper section starts you right at the base of the most intense "Puke Hill" climb.  The climb is properly named for the feeling you get if you make it up the entire mile of the pure uphill climb.    If you start on the lower section, you will have a mile of climbing before you start your "Puke Hill" Climb. 

Once you reach the top of the hill, you can look into Park City, and overlook Solitude and Brighton ski resorts.  This one of the many beautiful over looks you will have during your ride. 

The Wasatch Crest is one of the most beautiful and intense trails in Utah.  If you don't want to ride the almost 13 miles into Millcreek you have another option.  As you continue on the Wasatch Crest you will come to what is called the "Spline."  The Spline is a red jagged rock that most bikers cannot ride.  The lake down below is Dog Lake, and there is a "Y" at the bottom of the trail.   You go right, or up to continue your ride on the Crest.  You can shorten your ride by taking a left turn at the "Y" and riding by Dog Lake.   The Dog Lake trail is rocky and loose as you descend.  You finish your ride by the Meeting of the Glaciers area, or out at the Dog Lake trail head.  Riding the trail this way eliminates the need of a shuttle, but then you miss the pristine dark dirt trail in Millcreek that makes the Wasatch Crest so liked. 

If you ride the full Wasatch Crest trail you will take the Right at the "Y" taking you to the division between Big Cottonwood, and Mill Creek.  When you get to that area you will see the designated sign.  The sign will also tell you "bikers are only allowed on even numbered days."  From this section on are some of most amazing trails in Utah!  You will ride through pines, aspens trees, and streams.  When you reach the lower section of the trail with the dark dirt, smell of pines, and a smooth trail you will know why so many people love this trail!

 As you near the bottom of the Wasatch Crest, be aware that there will be more hikers and dogs.  This trail allows dogs, and some days there are many.  The dogs are required to be on a leash, but many people don't abide by the rule.  You can find yourself flying over your handle bars trying to stop for a dog that is on the trail! 
A series of 3 switch backs is cue that you are almost to the bottom of the trail.   There is another "Y" that you come to at the bottom of the trail, KEEP LEFT.  The right will lead you to a shorter, steeper trail and you end up in the upper parking lot of the top of Millcreek.   Staying left you get a slightly longer, better ride.  Both trails end at about the same spot. 

Zions National Park with children

With over three million visitors a year Zions National Park it is the perfect adventure for any kid. 

Entrance to the park is around $25 per vehicle, unless you have an Eagle Gate Pass.  If you want to walk, bike or motorcycle into the park the fee is $12 per person, children 15 and under are free.  Vehicles must park at the entrance, or at the history museum.  Most of the hikes in the park are fairly easy, with only one or two that are too extreme or long for kids.  Many of the trails are at least partially paved, making hikes easy hike for even little children.

For Park Information and Maps:  http://www.nps.gov/zion/parknews/upload/ZionSpringMG2012.pdf

Best Hikes for Kids:

• Zions Lodge: Emerald pools Trail is a fully paved trail to the first waterfall.  From there the trail has stone steps and sand.  The Hike to the first waterfall is moderately easy, most children will enjoy this hike.  The second pool is on top of the cliff, and is a small pool of water.  Very beautiful, but be warned if your kids have difficulty staying on the trail, you will want to hold their hands as you pass this area.  There isn't any restraining ropes, or barricades to keep kids away from the cliff.   If you continue on to the upper pools, it is a moderate hike with sand the rest of the way.  The upper pool is beautiful and kids will love to dig in the sand and throw rocks. 
• Weeping Rock: Weeping rock hike is a very easy, short hike.  Kids will enjoy that water is flowing over the rock and falling down onto them!  Be aware that the trail and rocks can be slippery.
• Temple of Sinawava: The gateway to the Narrows is an easy, fully paved trail.  Perfect for kids, babies in packs, and strollers.  The kids will love this hike, it is easy and the views are amazing.  Take a jacket, the wind can really blow through this canyon.

TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS:


• On the way to Zions there is a cute little shop called "Fort Zions."  It has a nice picnic area for eating, and a petting zoo.  This could be a 1/2 spot to stop and stretch, and let the kids play for a few minutes.  The petting zoo is $2 a person, but is worth it to have the kids have someplace to run around and play. 
• Consider riding down the canyon on bikes!  You can load bikes, and a tag-a-long on the bus, and take them up the canyon. The best areas to ride down the canyon from is The Grotto, or Zions Lodge. The views from a bike are amazing!  You are free to stop and spend time at any spot you like.  Plan to take your time and enjoy the view.  If you ride hard, you can even BEAT the bus down the canyon.
• Take hiking and sandals/water shoes.  You can hike up the Narrows a little higher than the trail if you have sandals.
• Take a snack and treat.  Don't forget water!
• If your kids get easily motion sick, DO NOT RIDE in the second section of the bus.  It sways and bumps and can cause motion sickness in young kids. 
• There are certain hikes, such as Angles Landing, that are not for kids.  Several hikes have huge drop offs, or long hikes.   Consider the skill level of each hiker before you go.
• Make a reward for kids good behavior, or good efforts by visiting the rock shops in town.  They have many items that are around a dollar, and it makes a fun ending to the day.

Green River & Goblin Valley Kid Adventures

Goblin Valley

The little town of Green River is perfectly situated to visit both Moab and Goblin Valley.  It is a 3 hour 10 minute direct drive from Salt Lake City.  Located one hour and 10 minutes from Goblin Valley, the River Terrace Inn is the best place to stay if you are not camping.  Ask for a river view room, which will have views of the river.  The second floor rooms are quieter, and the lower level rooms have easy access to the back garden area and pool.  The Inn also offers a full made to order breakfast including individually cooked eggs of all sorts as well as bacon, sausage, cereals, and juices. 

Goblin Valley is an hour drive from Green River and is the perfect place to take young hikers.  The soft sandstone has eroded into interesting shapes, some people say they resemble goblins. In some spots the rock formations are close together and produce a maze-like playground ideal for family explorations.  There are many spots for kids to play and hide.  Visitors say the park landscape has a surreal appearance.  It has the perfect look for an alien planet. In fact Galaxy Quest was filmed in Goblin Valley. 

Entrance to the park is $7.

You can also camp at Goblin Valley State Park for $16.  Make sure you have everything you need, it is an hour drive to any stores.

Tips and suggestions:

• Pack a lunch and eat at the Goblin Valley terrace
• Take 2 way radios to communicate.
• Kids can easily get lost in the maze of sandstones, make a plan of where to meet.
• EVERY child needs a whistle, teach them to use it if they get lost.  You can also use a code of whistles to have everyone gather at a certain spot.
• Look at the maps and take a hike around the hills and mountain. 
• Take more water than you think you will need.  It can get really hot even in the spring.
• Make a family soundtrack of fun music.  Sign along with the music!!
• Take hiking shoes, AND water/sandals.

Just up the road from Goblin Valley State Park is an amazing slot canyon called Little Wild Horse.  It is a fun hike to do with kids! 

Best Tips and Tricks for Little Wild Horse:

• Go EARLY or go later in the day.  If you go at noon the rock walls get extremely hot.  If it is a warm day, don't expect to hike the whole canyon with kids.
• When you get into the canyon and the trail spits at a "Y", go right to find the slot canyon.  Use this hike as an out and back.  Go into the trail as far as time allows and then come back out.
• Take BOTH hiking and water shoes.  If there is water, sometime you don't have a way to get by the water and you will have to take your shoes off. ICK!
• Water is essential! Take double you think you will need. Both times we have gone we have run out of water.
• If you hike the canyon early plan on taking a lunch. 
• Take a camera, and a waterproof case. We dropped our camera in one of the little ponds.  It could have been prevented if we had had the camera in a plastic bag.
• WATCH THE WEATHER! The slick rock canyon surface can have flash flood very easily.  Be prepared, and don't go if there is a chance of rain.
• The canyon draws you into it with the thought "What is around that corner?"  Make a plan of how long you will hike, and then turn around when that time comes.   We hiked 2 hours into the canyon, then decided we were getting tired. It was a really long hike out with kids. Both Curt and I had to carry kids on our backs with zero water.  It could have been a really bad experience!
• There are many dogs on the trail, warn kids that there might be dogs and how to handle them.
• Keep cold ICE water in the car to come back to.  After a long dry hike it is so nice to come back to a nice cold drink.

Backwards Bowling

Bowling is fun, backwards bowling is even better!  With backwards bowling kids don't have the challenge of trying to get the highest score.  They have fun bowing in different ways.   The score doesn't really count, it is how good you do the moves! 
The following is the moves you do while you bowl.

Backwards Bowling

 

Opposite hand

Sit & Push

Backward!!! Between the Legs

Standing On One Leg

Round House

Heavy or Light

Sideways

Two Handed

Long Distant

1. Eyes Closed

Description:

Eyes Closed:  Either bowl like normal WITH EYES closed, or start at the foul line, and bowl with eyes closed.
Opposite hand: Use your opposite hand.

Sit & Push: Go to the foul line, sit on the floor, and push the ball with your feet, you cannot touch the ball with your hands

Backwards/Between the Legs: You can do it anyway you want, forwards, backwards.  The ball just needs to go between  your legs!

Standing on One Leg: Hold up one leg, either leg.

Round House: The ball must go up around, over your sholder and back through while walking to release the ball.
Heavy Light: If you usually use a heavy ball, use a light ball. If you use a lighter ball, use a heavy ball.

Sideways: Standing either direction. Throw the ball down the lane while standing sideways.
Two Handed: Both hands must be on the ball.

Long Distance: the ball must be released 4-6 feet before the foule line.  The game paticipants need to figure out what the distance is before the start of the game.

The most important rule is to have fun! Don't worry about the score, just make it different and fun!

Winter Millcreek Biking

Getting out during the winters cold and snow can be a challenge.   One fun and unique winter activity is snow mountain biking.   The knobby tires on a mountain bike are great in snow.  If the snow is packed down, and a few days old, it is perfect for mountain biking.  YOU can bike in the snow!  It isn't much different than biking on a dirt packed surface, except slightly more slippery!   It is fun for everyone.  We have our kids bike a little, or we pull them on a snowboard sled.  The best part is we are outside and having a new adventure!

Millcreek Canyon and City Creek canyons are paved canyons that are blocked off to traffic, and have packed winter conditions.

Tips:

• Arrive a little before the warmest part of the day, so it be a little warmer while you are biking.
• Dress in layers.  If it is a warmer day, you will only need two layers. 
• Wear lite finger gloves, so you can use the break on your bike. (especially for kids)
• 

  If the kids can't bike it, pull them on a slick sled, like a snowboard.  Regular sleds have too much drag, and it is too difficult to pull the kid on it. 
• This is a winter sport kids have to work up to.  If they can bike on dirt, and don't have much difficulties, then they can bike on snow. 
• Don't wear clip less shoes.
• Wear your snowboots
• The first trip may be a challenge, because the balance is a little different than on dirt.
• Brink a fun snack, and hot chocolate to drink when finished.

Holi Festival of Colors

Every year in Spanish Fork the Krsna Temple holds their annual Holi Festival of Color.   The festival is held in the end of March, and is free and open to the public.  Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna, so you will want to check the exact weekend it will be held.
The spectacle of the event is unlike anything you will ever see.  The powered color that flys into the air, and covers everyone is truly amazing!  Most children will love going to this event.  Kids will love the energy, and enjoy that they can throw powder at anyone and everyone.  You will be covered from head to toe with color.  Going to to the festival is like taking a trip to the wild side, it's crazy, it's dirty, and a whole like of fun!

Krishna Temple
8628 S State Road.
Spanish Fork, Utah

Link 2012 Festival of Color:
http://www.utahkrishnas.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100&Itemid=190

Link Krsna Temple:
http://www.utahkrishnas.com/

Tips:

• Wear white!  Why not! It displays the color the best, and your kids will get a kick out of the rainbow color your shirt, and face turns.
• Buy packs of color before the festival.  They DO sell out, and the whole fun of it is having color.  Colors go on sale the first of March and are $2.50 a package, or you can buy 6 for $10. 
• BRING water to drink. If your kids get color in their mouths it's icky, and they will want to wash their mouths out! 
• You could bring clear goggles to protect eyes from the dust.
• Make a day out of it. Plan on getting lunch or dinner at the festival.  Get drinks and enjoy the music.
• There is parking behind the temple or you can pay $2 a person to ride a shuttle from one of many areas.
• Plan on getting plastered with color.  If you don't like color dust in your ears, wear ear plus.  You can wear eye protection as well.  Getting it in your mouth and nose isn't too bad, just plan on it.
• The color won't come out of what you wear.  This includes shoes, and pants and jackets.  We left our coats in the car, and wore warm white clothing.  You might want to find clothing items that you are planning on giving away.  That way you can just get rid of it instead of washing it.
• Blond hair will dye the colors you get on it.  I wish I had a suggestion other than wearing a shower cap, but I don't.  I didn't mind my hair pink for a few days. 
• Take a camera you don't mind getting covered with dust.  I actually put mine in a plastic bag, and cut out an opening for the lense. 
• As a parent, I tried not to make too many rules for my kids. This can be a really fun event.  Try to allow the kids to have fun.  My only rule was "Don't throw color directly into someones face. Throw it above them, or near them, but don't throw in faces."  That rule didn't really stand, but don't ruin the day by getting annoyed.
• It can be really cold, dress warm.  The ground was also muddy and slippery, wear shoes that have good traction.    
• Think about taking extra clothes to change into.
• Take bottled water to wash out your mouth, ears and eyes.  
• Take garbage bags, sheets, or blankets to cover your car seats. 
• If you have a thing about getting dirty, DON'T GO.  It won't be fun.  

Above all HAVE FUN!  This can be such a fun and crazy experience!  RELAX and Just let go and enjoy! This isn't a time to keep clean, it's time to have fun! The whole point of the color festival is that everyone that has fun, and begins to look the same.  The color of your hair and skin doesn't matter anymore, you are all the same!

Resort Skiing

Utah has some of the best skiing in the world.  There isn't a better place to teach your kids how to learn how to ski.  Skiing is a perfect family activity.  You get to get outdoors, and you get to slide on snow, how cool is that!  As long as you have planned ahead for cold finger and toes, and make it something fun to remember you will have an amazing time skiing.  If you are teaching your kids for the first time to ski.  Plan to only make a few runs.  Skiing can be hard to learn, along with the cold and wet, kids can become really resistant to wanting ski.  We have been skiing with my children for over five years and here are some of my tricks:

• Plan to arrive early, it will take double what you expect to get yourself and the kids ready. 
• Layering your clothing.  On cold days plan on having multiple layers; base or termal, turtle neck, sweater/sweat shirt, coat.  If you get too warm take something off. 
• Even on sunny days, it can be extremly cold.  
• Bring goggles, face masks, and scarfs.  The warmer you keep your children, the better time they will have. 
• Use a ski edgie weggie for kids.  Best investment you can get for a beginner skiier.  http://www.amazon.com/Ski-Teaching-Products-LLC-Wedgie/dp/B001N0Y7ZU
• Would not suggest SkiTies to helps kids learn to ski.  If your child crashes, you can easily ski over your child, and injure them.  This is from experience!  
• Take a backpack!  Helps carry all your gear, including hand warmers.
• Take an extra pair of gloves for kids. They always seem to get them wet.
• Bring a water bottle full of warm water to drink.
• Always have a back up! If you are skiing with kid always have one adult stay behind everyone.  Normally we have one person with the pack and one person always behind the group. 
• Take a two way radio.  Sometimes, in certain areas you phone will not work, and you want to be able to get in touch with your group.
• If you think your child is injured, call the ski patrol and have them take your child down the mountain.  Don't be afraid to ask for help! At age 4 my child had a sprial tibia fracture. We knew he was hurt, but didn't know how bad until the xray.  Don't assume your child can still ski after a crash.
• If your kids get cold, don't push to go another run.  Go inside and warm up!  It's no fun to ski cold.  Kids bodies are much more suitable to the cold, and honestly their equiptment is not the same as adults.  You may not be cold, but if they are, make it a fun experience by warming up.
• A lot of times when it is snowing hard Little Cottonwood closes the canyon.   You might not get up.  If you are in the Canyon you might get stuck up there for hours!
• Bring treats and hot water in a thermas.  Make hot drinks and eat a snack after skiing.   If you are skiing at Alta, hanging out after skiing is really nice.  The lower ski resort, Snowbird, ends skiing at the same time, and you can be stuck in traffic for over an hour. 

Best Resort Skiing:

• Alta Ski Resort: Best Beginner skiing.  The slop of the beginner trails is the best for kids to learn on.  They are not too steep.  They have a green hill right next to a trees trail.  The older, or more advanced riders can ski the trees, while the less adventurous kids can still ski the groomed routes.  Good for kids. If you choose to skip ski school and teach your children yourself Alta Ski Resort is my top pick.  Alta has a Ski after 3 program.  The cost is $10 for the after 3 card, every day after that is $5.  You can also purchase a season pass for $25.  It runs from 3pm-4:30pm.  It is an easy way to take your kids skiing.  http://www.alta.com/pages/skifreeafter3.php 
• Solitude: Perfect for both beginner and advanced.  They have multiple runs that have both extreme runs, and advanced.  Their beginner runs are great, a little steep for the first years of skiing.  Good for children who are good at skiing.
•  Brighton: Best snowboarding resort.  They have rails, stairs, and a huge half pipe.  This resort is not a good resort to learn to ski at.  Your kids need to know how to ski before you ski here.  Not good for kids that are learning, there are too many out of control snowboarders!  I love snowboarding, Brighton has great snowboarders.  They are just not really careful around kids that are learning.  If you are teaching your child to snowboard, this would be a great resort.  They have long trails with easy runs.   Brighton has the BEST night skiing! 
• Snowbird: Best adventure resort.  This resort is steep! If you like steep runs, then this is the resort for you.  The tram is really nice to ride to the summit.  Kids need to be good skiers, or at least really like skiing.
• Canyons Resort: Great for both skiing and snowboarding.  Big wide runs make this resort excellent for both skiier and snowboarder.  Great for beginners.  Good for kids.  Canyons would be my top pick for teaching snowboarders.  
• Deer Valley:  Best skiing ever!  This resort has it all.  Most senic of all resorts.  Best variety of easy and advanced runs.  Quick loading on every lift.  Best variety of places to eat.   Good for kids, but is pricey if they only want to do a few funs! 
• Sundance: Basic resort, not a lot of ski runs.  Has some very senic overlooks.  You can infact see Robert Redford skiing here!!!  (a lot!)  Good for kids.
• Snowbasin: STEEP, Lots of variety of runs.  Wide open runs, lots of space!

HAVE FUN!