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Utah Travel Headlines

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Fall Colors Are Peaking Right Now

Fall foliage is spectacular in canyon and mountain areas around Utah right now. Colors are at their peak in many areas, and will continue to be radiant for another couple weeks.

The annual change comes slower at lower elevations in southern Utah. Bryce Canyon is up high and so the surrounding area is ablaze with color right now. Zion Park is lower and so the colors are just getting started there - the peak for Zion is probably 3-4 weeks out.

Get out and enjoy. This page suggests several drives where colors are particularly beautiful.

Be mindful of the weather. We're expected to get a big storm tomorrow (9-30-09), with rain in the valleys and snow at higher elevations. But the weather should improve for the weekend.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

24 Hours of Moab Will Be Oct 10-11

The annual 24 Hours of Moab bike race will be held Oct 10-11. The race is a big event drawing crowds to the Moab area. It is fun for participants and spectators. People visiting during that time period need to be aware that hotels will be full and campgrounds will be crowded.

There will be vendors and music and food and parties, plus a kids' race.

Here's what race organizers say about the event:

"In fourteen years time this race has become one of the single greatest mountain bike races in the history of the sport. For one short weekend, a mountain bike city grows up out of the desert graze-lands as we host more than 4,000 racers, support crews, and spectators in a stunningly beautiful, completely remote venue and then, in two days, it's gone. Scheduled for October 10th & 11th, 2009, the 24 Hours of Moab is a world-class event that draws teams from all over the world. There is a field limit of 550 teams and solos and the race books up faster every year, so get your team entered early. Don't miss this incredible race!"

See the race website for details.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Oktoberfest Underway At Snowbird

The annual Oktoberfest celebration is underway at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, with activities continuing every weekend through Oct 11.

Oktoberfest includes German food, drink, music, games, costumes, shopping and more. With crisp fall air, multi-colored leaves and Oktoberfest activities, this is a great time to visit Snowbird.

The festival runs on weekends from noon – 6 pm. Admission is free! See the Snowbird website for details.

The ski resort is also giving people the chance to pre-purchase ski packages at discounted prices. Snowbird expects to open for skiing in early November.

Monday, September 21, 2009

San Rafael Swell Mountain Bike Festival

The San Rafael Swell area offers excellent mountain bike trails; some offer fun, scenery and challenge that are comparable to the best trails in the famous Moab area.

The San Rafael Swell Mountain Bike Festival, scheduled for Sept 25-27, offers a great chance to get to know this area, and to meet other riders with similar interests.

The festival features a wide variety of trails, with options suitable for everyone from novice through advanced riders. The festival also offers rides and other activities designed to appeal to families.

A pasta dinner will kick off the event, which will culminate with a campfire and Dutch oven dinner. The MECCA Club will provide guides and support personnel for the rides.

See the festival website for more information.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Deer Valley is Best in North America - Again

Readers of Ski Magazine have named Deer Valley the best ski resort in North America, for the 3rd consecutive year.

The Ski Channel gives these reasons why Deer Valley was selected:

1. The Turkey Chili. It’s really good.
2. The New Gondola. It’s warm!
3. Real Silverware. Pretty deluxe!
4. Fun Terrain. Yup—something for everyone.
5. Grooming. Lots of it.

Read their complete article.

Colorado's Vail Daily has this article explaining why Deer Valley consistently beats them in this natioal poll.

Utah's Deseret News and Salt Lake Tribune also have articles on the ranking.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Fall Colors Begin in Utah's High Country

The leaves are starting to turn in Utah's high country. The colors will become progressively more vivid during the next few weeks until they peak in late September or early October.

So, the next couple weeks will provide spectacular views along mountain roads throughout the state.

The colors change earlier at higher elevations in northern Utah and linger longer at lower elevations in southern Utah. The high show is now starting at the highest elevations - it will be mid or later October before colors peak at Zion National Park and other low elevation spots.

Several scenic byways are particularly beautiful during the fall. Here we have a list of recommended fall color drives.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Should Cedar Breaks become a national park?

Some people are promoting the idea of pushing to have Cedar Breaks National Monument elevated to National Park status. If that doesn't work out, they would at least like to see the size of the monument increase to protect spectacular features in the surrounding area.

The Salt Lake Tribune has this article about the idea. Below are excerpts.

"The idea of expanding the monument -- most noted for its towering red rock amphitheater -- to include the Ashdown Gorge Wilderness Area to the west, has been simmering in the southern Utah county since at least 2006. Proponents say elevating the monument's stature to a national park -- which would require an act of Congress -- would draw more visitors and give the area an economic boost.

"Detractors worry about hunting rights, grazing issues, property rights and crowds."

Read the complete article.

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Upgrade Brings Improvements to Utah.com

We've been busy the past few weeks making upgrades to this website. The most obvious change is in the way the site looks. We've modified the layout to provide more room for text, photos and video, and we've incorporated a striking new color scheme.

We are working hard to provide the best information possible on Utah attractions. Video has become effective on the Internet and it is the best medium available to show what attractions are really like. You'll notice we have placed video clips at the top of many pages; some pages have multiple clips. We are pushing hard to get quality video showing all major Utah areas and attractions.

We've also placed a comments button on our pages. Click it to read comments, or to add your own. We encourage website visitors to share information and insights from their trips. Note that you can add photos to your comments.

We have a large website and changes like these require tremendous work. Please be patient as we work through the bugs. And please share your insights. Together, we can make this website even more valuable.

- Dave Webb

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Rockslide Closes Weeping Rock Trail in Zion Park

Note: The National Park Sevice provided the info below, about closure of the Weeping Rock Trail in Zion National Park.

Date: September 3, 2009

The popular Weeping Rock Trail in Zion National Park was closed Wednesday, September 2, due to a rockslide that covered a 50 foot section of the trail. At approximately 10:30 a.m. the large rockslide covered a section of the trail on the approach to Weeping Rock. There were no reported injuries.

For safety reasons, the trail will remain closed until the slide stops moving, the large boulders and debris removed, and the trail repaired. It is anticipated that the trail will remain closed at least through Labor Day weekend. The Observation Point and Hidden Canyon Trails can still be accessed from the Weeping Rock shuttle stop. All other trails in the park are open.

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Dew Tour Returns to Salt Lake City

The action sports Dew Tour will return to Salt Lake City on Sept 17-20, with events scheduled for EnergySolutions Arena.

"More than 150 of the world's top skateboard, BMX and freestyle motocross athletes will compete in Salt Lake City for the fourth of five events on the 2009 season," according to this article on KSL.com.

"In addition to the competitions, hip-hop artist, Asher Roth, will headline the Dew Tour's Music Series presented by Verizon Wireless on Friday, September 18 at 9:30pm."

Read the complete article. Also see the Dew Tour website.
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