Winter FUN! Get out and do something!

Winter is LONG.....
Why not find something to do during the winter months that you enjoy outside. I love staying warm and cozy inside, don't get me wrong, but days and days of being indoors is JUST TOO MUCH!

The best, fastest and least work is to go for a winter walk.  It may be a walk around the block in 10 minutes, or a 2 hour hike up the canyons.  It is just nice to get out, and get some air!(even if it is smoggy!)  I PROMISE you will feel better if you do! Winter is too long to stay cooped up everyday! I challege you to try to do this ONCE a week. Who knows, it may become a fun habit. You might actually start to look forward to your quick walks around the block.

MIGRY Favorite Hiking Trails:
(These are all in Utah)
NUMBER 1
BELLS CANYON:Little Cottonwood Canyon. *********
Trail Head- On the Left Side of the road ¼ mile from Wasatch Blvd. and the 9800 South Intersection.

The trail starts with mellow switch backs, and then a nice incline. My two kids 4 and 7 make it most of the way. Sometimes they are carried up the steepest areas, but we try to encourage them to hike on their own. Once you reach the top of the steep area, the trail levels out for a little while. Then another less extreme incline. While hiking, don't forget to check out the beautiful view of the valley. The view once you reach the lake it amazing! Enjoy it! You can either return, OR if you want more adventure keep hiking up the trail to the LEFT! There is a steep incline, then levels off. Two ways from the top where the river is(and small water "House") To your RIGHT is a trail that will take you back to the lake, staying RIGHT on all trail intersections. (Turning left will take you up the mountain, Right down towards the lake. On the trail Lower take the RIGHT again, and it will take you over a bridge, and back to the start of the trail.) SECOND: If you want my SECRET TRAIL.... at the River "House" there is a Secret trail that is slightly hidden, just LEFT of the river about 20 paces. This is an amazing trail, it is my favorite place to go!!! The trail winds through a grouping of trees, to a slick rock that my kids love to play on. By that slick rock, there is a seat that I can sit and eat my goodies I have brought along. Further on the trail is a meadow that has SECRET apple trees...YUM! This trail connects to another trail that leads up to the river, or back to the start.
Distance to Upper Bells Reservoir- 3 ¾ miles

Doughnut Falls Trail: Big Cottonwood. ********
Located 9 miles up Big Cottonwood. You will know you are there because it opens up into a nice valley in the mountains. Many people like to sled and snowboard down the hills to the south. In the summer you can drive up a small road and park at the Doughnut falls trail head. In the winter Parking is just on the south side of the road. We like to hike up the road about an hour and a half, then sled or snowboard down the road. It is about a 15 minute sledding ride. Very fun!

MILLCREEK CANYON ROAD: Millcreek *****
In November Millcreek Closes off the road 1/2 way up the canyon. The road becomes snowpacked and SO MUCH FUN! We actually take our mountain bikes and bike up the frozen road. The ride down in unforgetable, sliding and skidding. It is honestly just like riding on muddy dirt, not too extreme. You could take up sleds, insead of bikes!(I haven't done that yet!) Or just hike it!

Temple Quarry Trail(or pipeline): Little Cottonwood. ****
Close to the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon, it is a very easy trail, that most of the time is in the sun. Easy for little kids, as well as first time hikers. It is a trail that can be chilly when the river has water, but most of the winter it is dry. This trail used to be in good condition, but because of flooding in spring 2009, it isn't as fun as it used to be.

CITYCREEK ROAD: Citycreek Canyon ***
This trail is great in the winter or summer. Paved all the way to the top of the canyon. This trail has a slight incline all the way up the canyon, some inclines greater than others. I have not hiked this trail in the snow, but I love this trail in the summer! That is why I only give it a 3 star, I am not sure of the conditions during the winter.

DRESSING FOR CONDITIONS
If you are going for a hike in the mountains, dress in layers. Layers can be removed as you get warm. You do not want to get sweaty and wet.

First always have gloves, and a hat for any winter weather day.
On warm days I like to wear a short sleeve shirt, a long sleeve shirt, then a jacket. Then if I get too hot, I just take the jacket off, then the long sleeve shirt.
On cold days I wear a long sleve shirt, a sweatshirt or sweater OR TWO, and then a jacket.

Enjoy!