Now that we’re firmly committed to the germaphobe lifestyle with rivers of craft-made hand sanitizer and bespoke face masks, modern travel in a pressurized tube of recycled air has lost a bit of luster. With infectious disease encircling the globe like it’s 1918, what’s old is new again. That should apply to the way we explore, too.
PHOTO BY: MATT MORGAN
Loading up a backpack and heading into the woods is a time honored and proud expression of self-reliance—one that’s far nobler than hoarding rolls of toilet paper. Because it’s a responsibly socially distant way to see the world, backpacking is a perfect activity for a time when interacting outside our communities is frowned upon. Ready to explore the wonders right in your backyard? Marvelous landscapes permeate every corner of the Beehive State, so you won’t have to go far. Here’s how to get your adventure started.
Pick Your Destination
In this unique time, it’s wise not to stray too far from home. Everyone wants to get out and explore, but it’s important to not unduly stress the healthcare and public service resources of small communities.
If you live in Summit County, the vast wilderness of the Uinta Mountains is a short drive away. If you’re up near Logan, head to the nearby Wellsville Mountains, one of the steepest ranges in the country. Folks in SLC can head straight up the Cottonwood Canyons. Just do a quick Google search for “backpacking trails near me” and you’ll likely find a slew of results wherever you’re located.
Choose a Route
Let’s assume you need to work remotely on Monday, so you’re shooting for an overnight trip. Even if you’re more flexible, an overnight hike is a great place to start if you’re new to backpacking or haven’t done it in a while. Picking the right route involves finding a destination that gives you ample motivation to keep moving but doesn’t require an arduous trek that’s beyond your limits.
Personally, I enjoy hiking to a lake. They’re pretty, they have water you can drink, and often you can swim in them. Ibantik Lake in the Uintas and White Pine Lake in the Wasatch—no swimming at White Pine since it’s in the watershed—are a couple of great examples.
Just remember that both mileage and elevation gain play a huge role in how strenuous a hike is. Ibantik Lake is about four and a half miles from the trailhead on Mirror Lake Highway with 590 feet of elevation gain while White Pine Lake is five miles from the trailhead in Little Cottonwood Canyon with 2,500 feet of elevation gain. Despite similar distances, one of those is far more difficult.
LEAVE NO TRACE
There are seven principles promoting conservation in the Leave No Trace outdoor ethic. Follow these principles every time you’re in the outdoors.
1. Plan ahead and prepare.
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
3. Dispose of waste properly.
4. Leave what
you find.
5. Minimize campfire impacts.
6. Respect wildlife.
7. Be considerate of other visitors.
Research
Make sure to do a bit of research before you head out. Do you need any permits? Are dogs allowed? What are the restrictions on where you can camp? All the information you’ll need is readily accessible on the web.
Gear Up
The right gear can make or break your backpacking trip. “Don’t skimp when you’re getting new gear,” says Ultralight Adventure Equipment (ULA) owner Chris McMaster. “Modern gear is really light and strong. Buy nice or buy twice.”
ULA Equipment produces handmade backpacking equipment in Logan. That means when you purchase gear from ULA you’re not only supporting local business, but you can also be sure your gear is designed to survive the rigors of backpacking in Utah. The ULA Circuit pack weighs just two and a half pounds and can comfortably carry 35 pounds of gear. That should be more than enough to get you through an overnight trip. Their Tarp Tents include everything from ultralight one-person tents to robust four-person backcountry shelters.
You’re also going to need a sleeping bag, good footwear, and versatile clothing layers, but there’s a lot of personal preference involved in those decisions. Reference a detailed backpacking checklist—REI’s comprehensive list is available on their website—for a complete inventory of essentials you need to carry.
435-753-5191, ula-equipment.com
Practice
Practice before hitting the trail. Pack all your gear a couple times to find the best way to orient everything comfortably in your pack while allowing quick access to certain items like a camera or headlamp. Bring your full pack on a short day hike to make sure everything’s dialed.
Avoid carrying excess weight. Try to identify what you need more of and which items aren’t essential. “It never hurts to go a little overkill on food and water,” says McMaster. “And you don’t need as many clothes as you think. It’s okay to stink out there.”
Get Outside
That’s it. Now get outside, get sweaty and have fun!
If you've never been to @dokidessert, I can assure you- you're missing out. ⠀
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Doki Doki is one of Salt Lake City’s most authentic Japanese bakeries. And the authenticity shows through their delicately handcrafted pastries and cakes. Plus- fluffy pancakes, can it get any better? ⠀
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Check the link in bio for a fun little write up! ⠀
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Meet 9th & 9th's newest, cutest, tastiest "hole-in-the-wall" (quite literally)! @piefightslc is serving up delicious hand pies packed with flavor 🥊⠀
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You can eat a pie and go for a walk at the same time- who knew?! 🥧⠀
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Check the link in bio for our little review!...
People used to say a group of hobbits smoked their pipe weed and padded around on their furry feet in this little cul de sac off 1300 East near Westminster. Others claimed a family of Little People lived there and would chase away outsiders and curiosity-seekers who happened in.⠀
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But, actually, the eccentric street of tiny houses are on a wooded lot once owned by George Allen, a doctor and animal lover (he was instrumental in founding @hoglezoo and @tracyaviary) He and his family lived in the log cabin and rented out the little houses to students or anyone who wanted to live in such a small space.⠀
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Check the link in bio for full story....
Our Jan/Feb issue is out on stands now! This issue means so much to us. Made with lots of love and tears. We hope you’ll grab a copy and enjoy every moment of reading it. ❤️...
This is what our NYE looks like. Staying in with a @meat_my_cheese_utah charcuterie board ⭐🤤🥂⠀
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We’re incredibly lucky to have local culinary-craftswomen here in the Salt Lake area, like @mavenoakcreative and @meat_my_cheese_utah. Handcrafting each charcuterie board and box to perfection. Making every stay-at-home birthday, anniversary, date-night and holiday feel that much more elegant. 🧀🍇🥖⠀
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Check the link in bio to meet Salt Lake's artisan charcuterie masters!...
Holding back tears, the owner of our beloved Himalayan Kitchen, Surya Bastakoti, told @fox13now that they "might go out of business" ⠀
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Himalayan Kitchen has long been one of our favorite local restaurants. A trusty go-to for lunch or after work drinks and a heart-warming dinner. A place to bring out-of-towners (veg and vegan friendly) for a special experience only found here in SLC. Always filling, with a true sense of nourishment in every bite. Food to feel good about.
EVERYTHING on their menu is full of flavor and authenticity. Himalayan Kitchen’s cuisine is required to be authentic because it’s a gathering place for the Salt Lake City Nepali and the local climbing community. They know Nepal.⠀
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COVID-19 has completely devastated our local restaurant community—these are our friends and family. Help them out. If you have the means, order something yummy for NYE dinner and support Himalayan Kitchen or any of your favorite local restaurants. ⠀
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Go to saltlakemagazine.com and look in the Eat & Drink section for a list of what restaurants are serving and then make a phone call, order online, etc. ⠀
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Go to the link in bio to order online now!...
Here's one from our upcoming Jan/Feb issue out on stands in just a few days. We hope you’ll grab a copy and enjoy every moment of reading it.
Mary photobombs Lisa Barlow at the premiere party for Real Housewives of Salt Lake. Below is a snippet from Mary's last editor's letter:
"It’s all a little crazy.
Sometime in 2020, the world stopped making sense for a lot of us. Between one of the ugliest election cycles the U.S. has ever been through and the most mysterious disease most of us have ever experienced, normal was canceled. We can’t get together with friends, hug our loved ones, be in the room with them when they die. But somehow we have to go on, right? Somehow we have to continue to work and love and laugh. This issue of Salt Lake magazine holds a lot of frivolity, the main one being an extremely silly TV show, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. There I am in a pink fur coat in a car with our cover housewife, Lisa Barlow and her boys."
Pick up our Jan/Feb issue at your local grocer and read the full letter. ❤️
Link in bio to subscribe....
Merry Christmas Eve-Eve. We absolutely loved seeing all of your gingerbread homes! Thank you for sharing!⠀
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The winner of a 1 year subscription to Salt Lake mag will be announced in our story!...
Skip the milk and cookies this holiday and leave out something that Santa really wants 🍺😉🎅
Check out our local holiday beer round up for last minute gift ideas! Link in bio!...
Mary's last-minute holiday gift ideas from last year are still as true and relevant today...
"The planet we live with and the creatures on it need all kinds of things. Polar bears need presents, tree frogs in the Amazon need gifts, our Utah canyons and our national parks need help."
Check the link in bio for full write up....
🎶On the LAST day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...🎶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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$100 to @slcharbor 😋🍪☕️
Here's the idea: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) 💑⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @slcharbor on insta! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!...
🎶On the 11th day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...🎶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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$100 to @streuselslc 😋🍪☕️
Streusel Bakery located at 67 w 1700 s! Support local and get pastries, cookies and a little bit of sass at this beautiful judgement free bakery!
Here's the idea: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) 💑⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @streuselslc on insta! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!...
🎶On the 10th day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...🎶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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1 Free month at Maven Create @mavencreate
Maven Create is a unique, open office space designed to inspire and empower!
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Here's the idea: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) 💑⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @mavencreate on insta! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!...
🎶On the ninth day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...🎶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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1 box of @maddoughslc doughnuts for 4 weeks!! 🍩
We’re so excited to have teamed up with @maddoughslc for this awesome giveaway treat! Mad Dough launched back in April! Mad Dough serves up top quality Bismark style doughnuts with flavors inspired by favorite childhood treats 💖 The perfect gift to brighten someone’s day (or brighten your own day)! Support this awesome small business this holiday!
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Here's the idea: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) 💑⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @maddoughslc on insta! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!...
🎶On the eighth day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...🎶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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A beautiful essential gift set from the wonderful @acrelyfarms 🌿
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Here's the idea: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) 💑⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @acrelyfarms on insta! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!...
There was never a time there wasn’t Mary Malouf. Until now. Today, Mary died when a rogue wave swept her out to sea off the coast of Northern California. Only she – perhaps the world’s foremost lover of Bronte, BBC mysteries and, of course, Moby Dick – would appreciate such poetic drama.
“I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll go to it laughing.” — Mary Brown Malouf. Ooops. Herman Mellville....
🎶On the seventh day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...🎶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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⛳️ (2) 9 Hole Rounds at @saltlakecitygolf 🏌️♀️⠀
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Here's the idea: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) 💑⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @saltlakecitygolf on insta! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!...
GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. Winner announced in the story. see you tomorrow.
🎶On the sixth day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...🎶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🍽️ $100 Gift Card to @la_caille_utah 🥂⠀
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Located at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon, La Caille bring us an upscale, French-Belgian restaurant experience.⠀
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Here's the idea: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) 💑⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @la_caille_utah on insta! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!...