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| My Favorite Winter Hikes In Utah Grandstaff Canyon Moab Negro Bill |
My Favorite Winter Hikes in Utah
Utah is full of so many wonderful adventures. Fortunately winter often makes many of the great places even prettier to enjoy, or brings the temperatures of some of those really hot places down to nice temperatures. I thoroughly enjoy hiking in the winter for the trails are less crowded, the white snow is magical, and many of my favorite hikes in Utah are in Southern Utah. I would much rather hike when it is cool, than when it is super hot. I only beg you to consider taking Crampons for your shoes and hiking sticks. Crampons and hiking sticks take away fear from slipping on ice and just let you enjoy the trail. Please consider clicking on a link below and helping it so you can really enjoy a beautiful winter hike.
Here are some of my most favorite winter hikes.
PEEK A BOO LOOP - Bryce Canyon
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| Peek A Boo Loop Bryce Canyon |
Peek A Boo has some phenomenal sections on this hike. The switchbacks as you descend into the canyon is jaw dropping gorgeous. The section when you look up at the wall of windows is so pretty. The cool tunnels you get to walk through are really unique. Then of course the contrast of the orange hues and the deep green of the pines, and the white of the snow is a magical combination. It really is fun to explore this area in 360 degrees. Just click on the link, and you can walk around this area in my Google Earth Trail.
CORONA & BOW TIE ARCH - Moab
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| Corona and Bow Tie Arch Moab, Utah |
The white snow with the orange rock and green pines is really beautiful. You do have to be careful for ice on the trail, but it was easy enough to go around in most places that I never put my spikes on my shoes for there was more bare ground than snowy spots when I was there. I think the trail might have been even easier to follow with the snow, for you just followed the footprints and the green rectangles painted on the rocks. Click on the above link to see more about this hike.
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GRANDSTAFF CANYON TRAIL - MOAB
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| Grandstaff Canyon Trail (Previously Called Negro Bill) Morning Glory Bridge |
I believe this canyon looks prettier in the snow with the red rock and the white snow. I have good waterproof hiking boots, and I might not put this high on this list if I didn't have either waterproof shoes or socks for you do have to cross a little stream many times. It makes it a really fun hike if your feet are safe and dry, but I could see it being scary if your feet got too cold. The canyon also get dark early to make sure you plan accordingly for it will get very cold after dark. The views were phenomenal, and the arch at the end was definitely worth making it to the end. If you are curious and want to walk around this area in 360 degrees, just click on the link below for the Google Earth trail and lots more useful information.
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BELL CANYON WATERFALL,
base of Little Cottonwood Canyon
I love Bell Canyon in all seasons, but especially in the winter. I love crossing the bridge over the snow covered stream. I love looking out to the North and seeing the gorgeous light grey cliffs. Of course the best is coming up over the last bend and seeing beautiful Bell Canyon Waterfall. It changes often as the amount of ice builds or melts. The trick to the trail is make sure you have spikes and hiking sticks. Also waterproof boots might be smart if you go when there is melting snow. If you want to hike around this area in 360 degrees and read more about this hike, just click on the link below.
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GRAND VIEW POINT - ISLAND IN THE SKY CANYONLANDS
This hike is super fun, for it really does feel like you are walking on an Island In The Sky. The hike is mostly flat, so it makes it easy to deal with in the winter, and the white snow contrasting to the red rock is beautiful. Wonderful winter hike. Click on the link below to walk around this area in 360 degrees in my Google Earth trail.
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FISHER TOWERS - MOAB
Fisher towers is majestic in every way. Of course the snow just makes the deep red rock even prettier accentuating the ridges. Click on the link below to walk around this area in a virtual like way.
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WHITE POCKET Arizona/Utah Border
This hike requires a 4x4 vehicle, but if you can get there, it is amazing! It was perfect in the winter. The formations were different from anything I have ever seen before. It is Jaw Dropping!
Click on the link below to #TakeAHike today virtual like in 360 degrees.
MESA ARCH - ISLAND IN THE SKY CANYONLANDS
Mesa Arch is an easy hike in Canyonlands. It is a hike that the you don't have to worry about slipping anywhere steep, or there being a lot of snow. Of course the arch is best in the morning when the sun is just coming up and lighting the bottom of the arch. If you want to walk around this area in 360 degrees, and read more about this gorgeous hike, just click on the link below.
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DEVILS GARDEN ESCALANTE, Utah
This area is more a playground of wonder then a designated hike, but you will find you will get a great deal of exercise still just wandering around this cool place. Squeezing through tunnels, climbing on rocks, and dropping your jaw at the incredible arches. Fun playground and easy to do in the winter. Click on the link below to check this area out in 360 degrees. The pictures from my blog were in January.
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UPPER CALF CREEK FALLS ESCALANTE, UTAH
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DONUT FALLS Big Cottonwood Canyon
Donut Falls is a popular winter hike, for it is not too long, it is close to Salt Lake, and it is super unique. The river comes down the mountain and the disappears into a hole into a cave. Inside the cave is a beautiful waterfall and pond. This area is also popular for winter sledding, shoe shoeing, snowmobiling, and of course hiking. If you are curious about this area, just click on the link and you can check out this area and even walk around on the trail in 360 Degrees on my Google Earth trail.
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DRY FORK SLOT CANYON ESCALANTE
This hike is a great slot canyon for those wanting a slot without stress. This slot canyon is beautiful, and there are not rivers or huge boulders to navigate. Beautiful place. The slots are just far enough apart that they are easier to photograph in than other slot canyons. To walk around in 360 degrees in this area and find out more info about this hike, just click on the link below.
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MOSSY CAVE - BRYCE CANYON
Mossy cave is a shorter hike, but it has great views. In the winter the river is dry, but the snow contrast with the orange rock is gorgeous. Just make sure you take Crampons to slip over your shoes so you can really enjoy this hike and not be afraid of slipping. You can walk around this area in 360 degrees by just clicking on the link below.