“In a civilized and cultivated country, wild animals only continue to exist at all when preserved by sportsmen […] in reality, the genuine sportsman is by all odds the most important factor in keeping the larger and more valuable wild creatures from total extermination.” – Theodore Roosevelt, 26th U.S. President

A hunter in the brush draws a bow. Deep in the Wasatch Mountains, about as far from a road as he can be, an archer seeks his quarry. Male deer, known as buck, are elusive and take to remote elevations when hunting season commences. It is a mission of patience. Deer are smart and can smell people from 2000 feet away in the right wind. The meat this provides his family trumps the quality of anything available in stores. Hunting is a privilege we can still enjoy today because of regulation. While many of us could use far less paperwork in our lives, buying a big-game hunting license and entering our names to be drawn for a specific hunt is one we gladly sign up for. Behind the process lies a balance of harvest and conservation.

Conservation is Born of Hunting

Hunting today is a far cry from hunting 100 years ago. Deer, elk, and moose, among other animals, roamed the mountains and hills in numbers that we can no longer imagine. During that time, a little-known hunter, naturalist, and conservationist, a man well ahead of the curve, George Bird Grinnell, witnessed buffalo slaughtered – by the millions — he saw bird and other animal populations being decimated. Grinnell felt a great urgency to do something. He knew if things did not change, the damage could no longer be undone.

In a two-part series written for The Bugle, Nate Schweber documents much of Grinnell’s story [Schweber, Nate. (2020, July/August). Conservation’s Original Influencer: George Bird Grinnell, Part I. Bugle, 35-43.] If you have never read the articles, I suggest doing so after you finish this one. Schweber summarized Grinnell’s objective for activism: “He reminded his readers that hunters should always hold themselves to the highest standards; that they be sportsmen, not slaughterers.” Grinnell set in motion initiatives that would enshrine wildlife in ethics and law to ensure their survival.

While we have been told that the National Parks system was solely created by Theodore Roosevelt to protect beautiful places, that isn’t the whole story. Grinnell, whose namesake adorns Glacier National Park’s topographical maps, is chiefly behind creating ecological protections, leading Roosevelt to act as he did. He knew wildlife needed a safe place completely off-limits to hunting, where they could breed, grow, roam, and disperse to other regions. Otherwise, over-hunting would altogether end hunting – the tragedy silencing the wild world he knew in his day [Schweber, Nate. (2020, September/October). Conservation’s Original Influencer: George Bird Grinnell, Part II. Bugle, 35-44.]

Hunting Promotes Conservation Funding & Efforts

Awkwardly inverse to popular perception, today’s entire hunting system is dedicated to conservation, both open space and animals. Heber Valley’s beautiful surroundings, in nearly every direction, are open spaces. Wasatch Mountain State Park and Wasatch and Uinta Mountain ranges are all habitats for big game, game birds, and fish. Access to the Middle Provo River, below Jordanelle Reservoir and upstream from Deer Creek Reservoir, is so perfect that an angler can head out on a lunch break. Whether they catch dinner is another thing, but the fish are there.

The sale of hunting licenses and specific hunting permits, fishing licenses, and even gear contribute to habitat preservation and restoration. The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act passed legislation in 1937 and “took an existing excise tax on firearms and reallocated the proceeds to a grant fund for state wildlife agencies.” This does not apply to gear like trail shoes, backpacks, or non-hunting-specific equipment. Despite that funding, sometimes habitat projects require a larger budget, and Heber Valley has benefited from that additional support.

Middle Provo River

The Provo River Restoration Project exemplifies more expensive efforts. In a summary about the restoration project compiled by John A. Rice, the Middle Provo River used to offer “outstanding fish and wildlife habitat.” Between “agricultural, municipal, industrial, and other” water demands, the 1940s and 1950s left the river, now located between Jordanelle Dam and Deer Creek Reservoir, in a less-than-ideal condition as a habitat for wildlife and fish.

The Provo River Restoration Project was conducted between 1999-2008 on the middle reach of the river; however, the initial planning for the project required years of study and time and began in 1992. In 2008, engineers, hydrologists, biologists, and other specialists executed the reconstruction of riparian and “natural hydrological conditions.” And within three years of completion, wildlife began to ‘move in,’ finding cover and food readily in the restored environment. Today, the fish population in the Middle Provo is self-sustaining. And on any given day of the year, you will spot an angler successfully working the current.

Continual Progress

Without habitat, once flourishing fish and wildlife populations begin to decline, and quality degrades. But, with healthy habitats, almost like a muscle memory, wildlife returns. To maintain the wildlife in Heber Valley, Utah’s Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has a list of former, projected, and ongoing improvements. In an email exchange with Faith Jolley of the DWR, she painted a clearer picture of what that looks like. “In 2019, we mowed 228 acres of thick, overgrown sagebrush on Wolf Creek to improve big game forage and enhance meadow habitat. In November 2020, we reseeded the area of the 442-acre Big Hollow Fire to provide beneficial plants for wildlife in the area.”

Shrub planting and seeding, weed control and water development continues in Wallsburg Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and will benefit big game wintering there. Jolley also wrote, “We are partnering with the U.S. Forest Service on a large-scale habitat improvement project on Strawberry Ridge, south of Heber. This project will use various methods to thin overgrown timber stands on approximately 11,000 acres and promote new aspen growth. This will improve big game summer habitat while lowering the risk of severe wildfire.”

The Hunter

While hunters benefit directly from wildlife habitat restoration and management, they do not have to necessarily volunteer to be part of conservation efforts. However, opportunities exist, namely through the Dedicated Hunter projects. Others can volunteer with the U.S. Forest Service on their many projects. Volunteering can offer a unique perspective on the various conservation impacts on fish and wildlife.

The DWR encourages hunters to spend time in the field and learn about the land and where the animals are. Hunting, harvesting an animal, and fishing in Utah require a license; combination licenses are also available.  All information regarding hunting and fishing can be found on the DWR’s website. The landing page has many tools to assist hunters and anglers in planning their outings.

An interactive map, Utah Hunt Planner, shows details of each hunting unit, even linking to other resources like the draw reports and harvest reports. The draw report will help people get a clearer idea of how many hunt permits are selected and issued [DWR Harvest report. Available locally at Sportsman’s Warehouse.] The hunting units are monitored by state biologists who surveil the populations of each game species. When they issue permit numbers, it doesn’t mean a 100% success rate for each hunt. The West unit saw a meager 13% harvest rate in 2023, with hunters spending an average of four days in the field. Articles in hunting magazines abound with stories of eating “tag soup,” meaning they brought home nothing but their permit. However, those stories also tell what hunting is and is not. Hunters gather in groups and family caravans, sharing time outside that some plan
for all year [Del Homme, PJ. (2019, November/December). Poaching Isn’t Conservation. The Bugle, 35-42.]

The Hunter’s Reward

Today’s culture talks about food a lot. Yet, with all the controversy of where it comes from and what is in it, the hunter knows with certainty. He or she, if successful, will fry a fish from the river, lake, or stream. They may fill their freezer with deer meat harvested and processed themselves.

Hunter’s Ethic

Hunters should have an ethos, whether personal or social: honor the permit, honor the animal, and honor your hunt — words from this writer, not representative of the hunting community. PJ Delhomme of The Bugle put it best in his November 2019 article, Poaching Isn’t Conservation: “Making the right choice, whether legal or ethical, will ensure hunting’s future long after we’re gone.”

Imagine being a kid and learning that from your parents. The idea of killing an animal for food is a big responsibility, morally and socially. Part of Grinnell’s mission was to end the senseless slaughter of game animals in the West. In his lifetime, he saw entire populations vanish in New England. Today, poaching wildlife is a criminal offense.

Faith with the DWR stated, “We have also had several cases in [the Heber Valley] area of people killing deer and elk outside the hunting season and also in the wrong hunting units. Our conservation officers have had success using wildlife decoys to catch violators who are looking for easy opportunities to poach animals.” She added, “We heavily rely on tips from the public to pursue wildlife violations.”

Poaching is not hunting. Poaching does not involve the stalk, the conservation, licensing, and education. Unfortunately, the distinction is not always clear to non-hunters. Whether hunting or fishing, the call to action is to play by the rules so that the animals can thrive in the habitat we all pay to support. Healthy populations of fish and game animals rely heavily on harvesting within the permitting and licensing system.

Hunter Safety

Hunter’s safety is paramount. Safety rules and details are so detailed that states require hunters to take various Hunter Safety courses. In Utah, Hunter’s Safety is synonymous with Hunter’s Education. Courses can be found on Utah’s DWR Website. If you are on a rifle hunt, you must wear ‘hunter’s orange.’ More information can be found on page 22 of the DWR’s Big Game Field Regulation Guidebook⁷.

One of the most important parts of safety is having a keen awareness of your surroundings. It is common for trail users of all types to see each other at trailheads. While hunters have an obviously different objective, we have a responsibility to keep ourselves and others safe. Following common sense when taking an animal may involve waiting for a better shot to prevent an errant bullet or arrow from reaching a trail, or even worse, another trail user. Hunters must be fully aware of their environment and what is going on. It’s often referred to as situational awareness.

How we interact on the trail and how we treat other outdoor enthusiasts will make a huge impact. Our behavior will determine whether or not that impact is negative or positive. We are ambassadors of hunting and conservation. Being kind and courteous, even if met with contempt from a non-hunter, is how we bring awareness to what hunting is about. The harvest is only the harvest; there is so much more: conservation, advocacy, and family. This is where ethics and etiquette meet.

Get started with hunting or fishing

Whether you need Hunter’s Education or details about a new fishing area:
wildlife.utah.gov

Poaching Hotline: 847411 (text)
800-662-3337 (phone)

New this year! All hunters must report their hunting results, whether they were able to harvest an animal or not.

A couple and their two kiddos stand on the summit of Bald Mountain — located in the Uinta Mountains, Northeast of Heber, just off of the Mirror Lake Highway. At ground level, the mountain appears to be just a pile of boulders, but from the family’s elevation of 11,947 feet, the magnificent peak offers incredible views. With big smiles, the children point at distant, abrupt mountains wrapped in cliff bands. Everything around them is visible. Looking past Mirror Lake far below, they spy the Duchesne River drainage filled with pine trees, packed so tightly it is hard to discern the topography. The remains from a wild-fire in 2018 manifest a giant scar of the charred forest above the East Fork Duchesne River. Enjoying the majestic vistas from a bird’s eye view didn’t happen overnight, though. Like most things in life, climbing to the top starts with one small step.

There are many things to do, see, and discover in the Western Uinta’s. For those venturing outside their cars and off the highway for the first time, exploring can seem a bit daunting at first. A few great places to visit before starting your adventure are right at your fingertips — literally. Start by browsing fs.usda.gov for information about the Uinta National Forest, wildlife.utah.gov for information about fishing and hunting, and alltrails.com for maps, trails, descriptions, and difficulty levels. Once you’ve decided what you want to do, where you want to go, and when — don’t forget to check the weather! Go to weather.gov or
noaa.gov for the most accurate weather forecasting for mountain regions.

So, you’ve decided on your venture and are ready to pack and get going. Great! Do you have your recreation pass? Fishing license? Survival Gear? Bear Spray? Brand spanking new boots just begging to be put to work? Let’s talk. When it comes to the great outdoors, being prepared — even for a thirty-minute quick quest — can mean the difference between an amazing adventure or a crappy trip. Dare I say being prepared can be the difference between life and death – especially when venturing in the backcountry, overnighters, or week-long excursions? So what should you pack, and where do you find all the stuff? Here are a few tips.

Recreation And Fishing Passes

If you plan on parking and leaving your vehicle for any amount of time, you must display a recreation pass. The only exception is if you are parked in the lot to use the 5-star restrooms (seriously though, they are kept clean — considering — kudos to whoever has that job — thank you). You can pick up passes on your way to the Uinta’s along Mirror Lake Highway, Trailhead parking areas, and several places in Kamas; the Kamas Ranger Station, Kamas FoodTown (grocery store) Customer Service Desk, Mirror Lake Service (Chevron), High Mountain Drug, and Samak Smokehouse. Passes include the following options: 1-3 Day – $6.00, 7 Day – $12.00, Annual – $45.00 (not available at Pay Tubes), National Parks Passes are also valid in the Uinta’s.

If you want to use the mad angler skills you’ve been practicing, make sure you download the Utah Division of Wildlife Service’s Fishing Guidebook from wildlife.utah.gov or pick one up when you purchase your license. You can buy a license in Heber at Lee’s, Smith’s Food & Drug, Mountainland One Stop, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Timberline Ace Hardware, or in Midway at Ridley’s. Read the rules and know before you go — you don’t want to miss out on some of the best-stocked lakes along Mirror Lake Highway. Some of the Fish Species you can hook are: Arctic Grayling, Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Tiger Trout.

Camping

Whether you feel like roughing it or living in the lap of luxury in your tiny home away from home, there are many places to camp along the Mirror Lake Highway. Campgrounds are very nice and clean, most have a picnic table and firepit at each site, and camp hosts generally have firewood for sale. Remember, it is your responsibility to be aware of fire restrictions. Keep in mind that only a few campgrounds have running water and hookups. There are also several areas for dispersed camping, where there is no fee, other than your recreation pass. These sites have no toilets or hosts. For information on campgrounds and their details, availability, and costs, visit recreation.gov.

Wild Animals And Us

Wild animals are often poorly portrayed in media as friendly creatures that share human behavior. This is not the case. They have a huge personal bubble, and if you get too close to them, they may try to defend their space. Although a squirrel-selfie may be tempting, it can end badly. Respect the wildlife by giving them a wide birth. Large animals, especially moose and bear, with offspring present should be avoided. An excellent resource for learning how to handle wild animal encounters is wildawareutah.org

On the note of bears, only black bears have been known to frequent the Uintas. Because they are generally elusive and rarely spotted, many hikers do not carry bear spray; however, it is bear country, and it would be a wise addition to your belt of tools. Most campgrounds have bear notices, encouraging campers to keep a clean camp and store food in bear-proof containers or vehicles. While bears may love people food, marmots, birds, and squirrels are more likely to steal yours. Don’t leave food unattended. If you are in the backcountry camping, hang your food high, off the ground.

Equipment, Clothing, Shoes, and Safety

There are about as many options for equipment, clothing, shoes, and safety items as mosquitoes in the mountains. (Yes, I’m sorry, but the blood-thirsty blighters are everywhere, so don’t forget your DEET-Free repellent. You can google to see which brands are the safest to use for adults and children, in addition to more natural options). What is best for you, your family, your kids, your dog, your horse, and whoever you invite to join you as you start your adventure, is up to you and them — you’re the best judge as to what works for you and what doesn’t. Peruse the web, read some expert camping, hiking, and fishing blogs, read reviews, and please please break in whatever shoes or boots you choose, BEFORE you go tip-toeing through the mountains. There are several great outfitters in our valley that would be more than happy to help answer questions and point you in the right direction.

Mountain Weather

There is one rule to preparing for weather in the high mountains of Utah: be prepared! We all know that we can experience summer, fall, winter, and spring within hours or minutes. Sunny skies can become a torrential downpour, with lightning and thunder, and a bit of hail thrown in just for fun. Though summer days can be hot, hot, hot, summer nights tend to be cold, cold, cold! The weather during the fall months typically includes prolonged, chilly rainstorms, and it’s not uncommon for there to be snow above 9,000 feet. It’s wise to carry a jacket and emergency blanket as part of your safety arsenal. If you get soaked during a surprise storm, it can be difficult to get your body heat back up.

Animals And Kids

Animals and kids (yes, the terms are interchangeable) can be your greatest joy or worst nightmare — especially as novice outdoor navigators. According to the fs.usda.gov, all dogs must be on a leash in all campgrounds, picnic areas, and trailheads at all times. Pets are not allowed in swimming areas. Doggie ‘poop’ bags and waste receptacles are not available along trails. Make sure to bring your own — if you pack it in, you pack it out — this includes food too, practicing ‘Leave No Trace’ is good outdoor ethics keeping our mountains beautiful for all users and future generations. Little ones are a joy to watch as they discover the world around them. Keep them safe by making sure they stay on trails. Talk often and openly about safety and respect for their surroundings. Practice what to do and how to react in an emergency with them before your visit. Let them carry their own pack and stop often to listen, watch, and ask questions about the flora and fauna.

Before heading home or tucking everyone in for the night, take a moment to sit under the dark skies, marvel at the beauty of our universe as the Milky Way comes into view, and count the falling stars. There are lakes and trails to discover and mountains to climb; all it takes is one small step to start.

Heber Valley – it’s not only a breath of fresh air but also a growing city where one can still see trillions of stars.

In our heavenly mountains, views are priceless. Most of them require the sunlight to see: the Wasatch Mountains, Deer Creek, and acre after acre of open pastures. What happens when the sun sets? Then what view draws our gaze? When were the Big Dipper and the Milky Way discussed as treasured views from the valley floor? I can step out onto my lawn in central Heber and look up to see both of these on cold, clear nights. I want my child to see them from our home when she’s older. As our town grows, her view becomes threatened, and it becomes apparent that we need to preserve the darkness so our children can enjoy this same night sky.

For the International Dark Sky Association, dialogue regarding starry views has been the priority of its entire operation since its inception in 1988. The association provides a platform upon which members of a community can call on leaders to preserve their night sky. 2019 was a good year for this discussion in the Heber Valley. In March, Wasatch State Park held a Dark Sky Night, as part of National Dark Sky Week. According to Kathy Donnell, Wasatch State Park Ranger, 250 people showed up, abundantly more than anticipated. In town hall meetings, individuals voiced concern for preserving and bettering our vista of the stars. This local advocacy for nighttime darkness resulted in prioritizing the matter during the Heber City Envision 2050 meetings.

In speaking with John Janson, who has been consulting with the Heber City Envision 2050 Steering Committee, I asked what the City of Heber is doing as the community grows, both in population and structures. He described that while no ordinance currently exists and, as of this writing, had not been proposed, (in part because the new General Plan is currently being revised), Dark Sky compliant lighting became a priority goal in the city’s revised General Plan; a product of the Envision 2050 public process.

Concerning guidance for new developments to install dark sky friendly lighting, John stated, “You never know as you go through adopting a new ordinance. The ultimate solution is that there is a provision for residential structures, agricultural structures, commercial businesses, and government-related lighting. We may see all that in an ordinance, we may not.”

John shared some of the top concerns that the city will need to address first, “Street lights play a big role; it’s an easy place to start for most communities. Then we start talking about commercial businesses; their lighting needs to be directed downward. And then signs, Billboards are usually up-lit.”

Moving forward, creating an ordinance from the General Plan to protect our night sky may also lead to community awareness programs. We might see small adjustments toward Dark Sky compliant lighting at first, as much of the current abundant, disseminated light affecting Heber Valley requires structural modification. Retrofitting the city is a great start. However, with the future growth that Heber Valley will experience, implementing provisions for new lighting structures cannot be overlooked. There needs to be a plan to keep our view of the stars intact – it is one of the many reasons we love this place.

Ogden Valley got the idea in 2000, and an ordinance was placed on lighting to be Dark Sky compliant. The directive remains in place as the area continues to see residential growth. The community’s goal to maintain responsible lighting facilitated the certification of Weber County North Fork Park as an International Dark Sky Park in 2015. To this day, this park is still certified. (Utah Rural Planning, p.34)

Similarly situated, near more than one town and somewhat shielded from the larger cities by high mountains, “Wasatch State Park applied for International Dark Sky Association certification in 2016,” Kathy Donnell explained. “But we’re still working on it.” She described that lighting in the park had been evolving toward Dark Sky compliance. Neighborhoods adjacent to the state park have instituted recommendations to drape windows and use less exterior lighting. As an onlooker, it seems apparent that light from outside the park may still affect the darkness inside it.

As residents, we’re able to align as a mountain community and commit to Dark Sky compliant lighting. Would the attenuation of the extra light from town be enough to grant us our own International Dark Sky certified State Park? If we continue showing up to town hall meetings, talking with neighbors, and generally discussing Dark Sky compliant lighting for the city, we stand to gain long-term preservation of the Valley’s nighttime view of those trillion stars in our corner of the galaxy.

Dark Sky Compliant Lighting:

Fully shielded to direct light downward, no brighter nor broader and only illuminated when necessary. It must also limit blue light emission.

International Dark Sky Association (IDA), founded in 1988 in Tuscan, Arizona. Visit their website at darksky.org for more information.

Photograph by Brent Haddock

I remember being little and sitting on the mesh trampoline between the two hulls of my older brother’s catamaran. Looking out onto the rippled water of Deer Creek Reservoir, it was an experience I could not appreciate as I do now. Above me was the mainsail, full of wind. We were moving swiftly across the water. With me were my nephews; it was their father who was at the helm. We all had crew duties — on a sailing vessel everyone is employed and there are no idle hands.

From time to time, I see others sailing on Deer Creek and I wonder, how many of those boats are crewed by new sailors? How many new sailors are beginning a love affair with a mainsail at broad reach?

No Need For A Motor

The excitement of sailing with the wind is not the only way to interact with water in the Heber Valley. There are so many other things to do on the many lakes and reservoirs in Wasatch County that don’t require a powerboat.

The peacefulness of sailing can be rivaled by the quiet simplicity of stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) or the serenity of kayaking. For the more adventurous, kite boarding on Deer Creek is the way to go.

Whether by wind or your own power, exploring the waters of Deer Creek, Strawberry and Jordanelle reservoirs can be tranquil and rejuvenating, exciting and adventurous, or something in between. One thing they have in common: these activities are fun and fantastic exercise that activates arm, core and leg strength.

Get Your Paddle On

Canoes, kayaks, SUPs and other similar craft are available to rent from at least one service at each reservoir. When calling each park, ask about parking or recreating fees, rentals and where to best get on the water. The staff will have all the information you need to plan your activities at the Jordanelle, Strawberry and Deer Creek Reservoirs this summer.

While you can take a SUP, kayak or canoe almost anywhere, it often involves walking through stones and rocks while carrying an awkward load. If you’re new to water sports, eliminating that awkward variable can make these activities a little more accessible, which is why the Jordanelle has a boat ramp specifically for these activities.

Set Sail

Paddling a kayak or SUP is fairly natural and it becomes even easier and more graceful over time. Sailing, however, is something that requires hands-on learning from a mentor.

Thankfully, Sail Park City — our local sailing school on the Jordanelle Reservoir — will take you on the water as a novice. They can teach you what you need to know to start sailing on your own.

Sailing is part technical, part experience. Compared to hopping on a SUP or a kayak, sailing is more time-consuming but worth the investment. Your experience in the long term is determined by how much you commit to it.

Catch Some Air

Sometimes, it is the adrenaline rush you crave — and local kiteboarders take to the water on windy days to satisfy such cravings. They charge along the choppy water, in tow of their kite, jumping off waves and flying immeasurable distances before contacting the water’s surface again. It is exhilarating to watch.

If you stop to spectate, chances are you will see kiteboarders with varying degrees of skill, as both seasoned kiteboarders and beginners share the water. And if you’re interested in learning to kiteboard, you’re in luck! There is a school right on Deer Creek called Uinta Kiting.

Experience The Water

Dipping the paddle into the waters of Jordanelle Reservoir, a light splash hits my feet. I make a stroke and then move the paddle to the other side of the board. Then another stroke. Gliding on the dark, glassy water and raising the paddle in the air, I let my momentum carry me. Looking up to Mount Timpanogos, the very summit is lighting up as the sun rises. The sounds of fish jumping and my own breath will be the only sound at such an early hour. The view will be spectacular.

And I think to myself, we are all so very lucky to live here.  

Where To Start

Local Kayak and SUP Rentals
Uinta Recreation: 801-613-0288
Wilderness Access Outfitters: 435-602-4022
Deer Creek Island Resort: 435-654-2155
Jordanelle Rentals & Marina: 435-615-7397
Jordanelle State Park Marina & Boat Rental: 435-615-7397
Strawberry Bay: 435-548-2261

Kiteboarding and Sailing Instruction
Uinta Kiting: 435-647-6676
    www.uintakiting.com (Deer Creek Reservoir)
Sail Park City: 435-631-2202
            www.sailpc.org (Jordanelle Reservoir)

(n): a form of transportation of people and sometimes goods that only uses the physical activity of the human being for the locomotion.

I laid the question down for my friend Eric. “What was it like riding your bike everywhere for a year and a half around Heber?”

“I got super fit!” he answered with a grin. “I would ride to work, then grab some groceries, and after dropping the groceries at the house, go mountain biking at Coyote Canyon.”

Eric more or less set the bar for getting around by bicycle. He was constantly riding his bike around the Heber Valley, in one direction or another — on warm, sunny days and in harsh winter conditions.

His bike was more for expeditious utility than pleasure. He easily put more miles on his mountain bike just getting around the streets of Heber and Midway than most of us ever do recreating.

More Than Going To Work

Eric told me that his health and fitness improved drastically once he started commuting by bike. And while bicycle commuting offers many personal health benefits, it is also a great way to reduce the number of cars on the road — which also helps improve air quality.

Since the Heber Valley is relatively small, bicycle commuting is very alluring and traveling within or between towns can be quick and easy.

At roughly 15 minutes apart via the Midway Lane bike path that runs along Highway 113, one can ride between Midway and Heber easily and safely. Frequented by pedestrians, runners and other cyclists, the path is free of motorized vehicles.

But bike “commuting” doesn’t have to just apply to traveling to and from work.

Are you headed to the grocery store, inspired by an impromptu dinner? Small trips like this can easily be done alone via bike, and larger shopping lists can be carried home by riding with a partner to help share the load.

Or what about a fun summer day around town? A visit to the city library is an easy ride. Maybe it would be nice to grab some fresh peaches from the farmer’s market at the Main Street Park. With a fresh book to read and some delightful fruit in your bike basket, you can leisurely roll back to the house for an afternoon snack in the sun.

The Commuting Bicycle

These days, there are many different bikes to choose from and there is no one right answer for everyone. From upright hybrid bicycles and e-bikes (electric assist bikes), to regular mountain bikes and cruisers, they can all do the job. E-bikes have become very popular and there are several commuting versions available. With e-bikes, as you pedal, the motor helps you turn the wheels. These bikes make for an extremely quick way of getting around — with a little less effort on your part.

When choosing a bicycle, it’s important to find a bicycle that is comfortable, can accommodate mounted racks or baskets for carrying your things, and will hold up to riding all over town on a regular basis.

For Your Safety

First of all, your bike is a vehicle and you need to be seen. White, red and orange reflectors make you visible in the low-to-no light hours of the day. A bright tail light will keep you visible to traffic approaching from behind, and your headlight needs to be bright enough to be seen by motorists, both oncoming and at intersections. If you want to see the road at night, consider at least a 450-lumen headlight.

No matter what time of day you ride, having a helmet fastened to your noggin is of utmost importance. In the event of an accident, wearing a helmet could save your life.

Plan A Route

Take advantage of “designated paths of travel” for cyclists. These include the bike paths along Midway Lane and Heber’s Center Street, and also along Mill Road or 1200 East in Heber.

Unfortunately, these routes only service certain parts of Heber and Midway. So, be creative and use side streets that don’t have as much vehicle traffic. For example, ride along 100 West or 100 East in Heber for north to south travel. Ultimately, experience and trial and error will determine the best route to your destination.

The Future Of Cycling In The HV

I caught up with local UDOT engineer Matt Parker to discuss cycling infrastructure in the valley. “As a growing community, having active transportation alternatives to move around the valley are going to become paramount to reducing traffic and congestion in Heber and Midway,” he explained. 

While talking to Matt, it became clear to me that our need for more distinct and connected bike paths, as well as bike lanes on roads, will require more community involvement. Matt pointed out that attending city council meetings and discussing the need for more bicycle routes will demonstrate our desire for more active transportation options in the Heber Valley.

As we paint our own picture of the valley’s future, a place comes to mind where the local lifestyle is simple and active, our collective health benefits from just getting the chores done and we all enjoy quieter streets — all thanks to the positive impact of leaving the car in park and hopping on our bikes instead.  

I pulled out my water filter, started pumping, and realized no water was filling my bottle. Somehow, it was just moving air! Turns out, the filter cartridge had cracked. I was now stuck deep in the Wasatch Range with no water.

What we do outside is not about the gear. Admittedly, though, gear can make or break an outing. If you left your bike pump in the garage and are already at the trailhead with under-inflated tires, it might leave you scrambling for a way to salvage the ride. If you hiked six miles down Uinta’s Highline Trail, made camp and went to cook dinner only to find your stove’s gas canister empty… Well, you get the idea.

Gear should be ready to go when you are. One of the greatest benefits of proper gear preparation is being able to enjoy outdoor adventures, even at the last minute. 

Always Be Prepared

Two gear-heavy outdoor activities are backpacking and cycling. Backpacking gear includes multiple apparatuses that function both together and seperately to help create a great outdoor experience. Unlike backpacking gear, a bicycle requires all of its parts to operate in symphony. For a good experience, it’s crucial that everything is working properly.

This spring, as you’re putting away your winter gear and revving up for spring, summer and fall adventures, keep these basic gear tips in mind: They could make or break your next outing.

Readying Your Equipment

Sleeping Pad One of my inflatable mattress pads went flat on a short backpacking trip. I still haven’t fixed it, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Double check that your mattress does not have holes from the previous camping season, otherwise you might end up sleeping on the cold, hard, lumpy ground.

Camp Stove Stoves are primarily available as either liquid gas or compressed gas units and require little to no maintenance. In both cases, make sure there is enough fuel to cook an extra meal or two before you head out. To prepare for the season, fill your liquid gas bottle or buy some extra compressed gas canisters. Also, liquid gas stoves usually have a pump, so be sure it still pumps! Oh, and it’s a good idea to make sure the stove lights before you leave the house.

Water Filters Most water filters are cartridge-based. When I examine my pump, I expose the cartridge and have a look. Is it clean? Is it cracked? Check your filter by filling a container of cold water in the sink and start pumping from it. If it is difficult to pump cold water in the kitchen, imagine the difficulty of pumping in the mountains with particles in the water! If you struggle, it may be time for a new cartridge.

Food + First Aid  Other items to inspect can seem less obvious, like first aid kits and backpacking meals. However, there are items that expire in both. It is worth a look-see to verify that you won’t be eating rotten, freeze dried goodies for breakfast at Heart Lake or using ineffective ibuprofen at 10,000 feet. On that note, be sure to modify and update your first aid kit with any personal prescriptions or medications.

Time for a Tune-Up

After pulling your bike out and wiping off the dust, your bike’s brakes may feel soft. Hydraulic brakes may need to be pumped but they usually feel solid quickly. The main question with brakes is: Do they stop you? Make sure you can feel them working before you hop on for a spin around the block. You may need to replace warn brake pads before hitting the trails.

On your test ride, shift the gears. Is shifting hard? Does the chain jump off? Most of the time the chain will need lube to stop any squeaking. Your tires will need air and that old helmet should probably be replaced – they’re only good for three years.

Some folks are familiar with replacing brake pads or making shifting adjustments. Older bikes or bikes with shocks tend to require a closer look and may need the eyes of an expert mechanic. Thankfully, we have access to a couple bike shops in the Heber Valley that are ready day in and day out to get your bike back in top shape.

Ready for Adventure?

Now that your essential adventure gear has been repaired and replaced, take time to make sure everything is organized, too. Set yourself up so that in 20 minutes your bag could be loaded with everything you need for a last-minute, two-night stay in the backcountry. And enjoy knowing that, with your bike tuned and helmet handy, that group bike ride after work is suddenly much easier to make. 

Get Your Gear Ready at These Local Outfitters

All about adventure, Gravity Coalition brings a collection of gear, service and support that will help you enjoy your time and push your limits in the mountains. www.gravitycoalition.com

Heber Valley’s full service outfitter Midway Adventure Company offers bike tunes, gear rentals, retail items and adventure planning.
www.midwayadventure.com

Committed to bikes of all kinds, the experts here can help you with cruisers, mountain bikes and race bikes. They offer trail advice, sports food and everything else bike-related. www.slimandknobbys.com

WAO has everything you need in rentals from camping, fly fishing and backpacking gear to inflatable SUPS, canoes, kayaks and more!
www.waoutah.com

Safe backcountry skiing starts with weeks of weather watching. I follow the wind and the moving snow. I watch the mountain weather stations to understand what is happening where I like to ski. I take note of the observations, forecasts and advisories offered by the Utah Avalanche Center. I make my plan only after I have determined where I can ski safely.

It snowed last night. The sun is coming up and I’m high above the Heber Valley. I’m with my ski buddies, out for a backcountry ski tour. We’re on alert for avalanches today because new snow tends to bring out instabilities in the snowpack. A variety of winter activities, including snowshoeing and snowmobiling, take place in the backcountry and we’re aware that people are involved in avalanches across our local mountains every year.

The Nightmare Scenario

I often imagine what I would do in an avalanche scenario. It is something I do to prepare for such a situation. It always goes a little like this…

My buddy drops onto a backcountry slope, makes a few wonderful turns in deep, fluffy snow. In the blink of an eye, our hearts drop into our stomachs as the snowy slope above and below him breaks apart like a shattered window pane. The snow rushes down the mountain in truck-sized chunks, carrying him with it.
I lose sight of my friend.

In what feels like an instant, it is over and all I see is a huge pile of clumpy snow at the bottom of the slope.
In a state of shock, I call 911 and get help on the way. As my heart beats frantically in my chest, I ski down to the point I last saw my friend. I use my transceiver beacon to read signals emitted from his beacon. It leads me to the strongest signal location.

My other ski buddy is ready. He probes that location and strikes something that feels like a person. We have mere minutes to extract our friend in order to save his life.

It has been four minutes since the avalanche.

With our shovels we dig. We tear at the snow, begging it to release our friend. Moments pass too quickly. Hash lines on the probe reveal that my friend is one meter under the surface. With all my strength, through tears and pain, muscles cramping in my arms and back from working the cement-like snow, I continue to dig.
He can’t breathe and I can’t move the snow fast enough.

The horror of the situation doesn’t end when we finally reach him. He’s blue in the face and his ski goggles are gone. Looking at the clock, it has only been eight minutes since the slide came to rest…

Learning From Experiences

Approaching the top of my second run, I stop. There is a naked tree, wind-blown and raw, with an empty howitzer shell nailed to it. Inside the shell is a bottle of High West Double Rye, a locally-distilled whiskey. Above is a picture of a man named Craig Patterson.

Craig was an avalanche forecaster who tragically died in an slide while making observations on Kessler Peak in Big Cottonwood Canyon. It was in April 2013 and it shook the local backcountry community, even though many of us never met him.

I give the man a tribute with a moment of quiet and move on up the ridge, contemplating fallen brothers and sisters of the backcountry.

I think about another avalanche that occurred February 2014. A 21-year-old woman was snowshoeing in the Tibble Fork area. She was caught in an avalanche in sight of the parking lot.

She did not survive.

Life Or Death Education

It simply doesn’t matter how we recreate in the snow. We all have the potential to trigger an avalanche. There have been many instances of snowmobilers, snowshoers, cross-country skiers and other snow sport enthusiasts triggering slides.

The most important thing you can do this winter — for yourself and for others — is to get educated about avalanches and how to stay safe when recreating in the mountains.

Slipping down the Soldier Hollow tubing hill at an ever-faster speed, I couldn’t help but giggle. I had never sat in a tube and gone so fast! Friends were hooting and hollering and the night was a riot. Like children drawn to birthday cake, we made our way back to the top for another serving. I made five laps that night, each its own brand of winter fun.

While we live in a mecca for winter sports and activities, many of us aren’t “winter” people. For some, the thought of tearing up the backcountry on a pair of skis is as likely as winning the lottery in Utah. It — literally — will never happen.

And that’s okay. But it doesn’t mean you can’t get outside and make the most of what the Heber Valley has to offer. So, grab your friends and family, and go play outside this winter!

A Few Ideas To Get You Started

Snow tubing is a really fun winter activity that is easy for the entire family to enjoy. We’re lucky to have the longest tubing hill in Utah right out our backdoors. The hill at Soldier Hollow limits the number of tubers during each two-hour session, so reservations are recommended.

Ice skating is probably the most romantic winter activity — and tons of fun for the little ones. It always seems so enchanted: couples silently gliding by, juxtaposed with the sound of laughing children and the gentle scraping of blades against ice.

When I go skating, I usually spend a bit of time chuckling as I pick myself up from the ice.

If nostalgia is more your thing, cross-country Nordic skiing can be a lower-impact snow sport. Unlike downhill (alpine) skiing, the boots are soft and comfortable, and the skis are light and move easily up and down rolling hills.

In 2002, the Winter Olympic games were held in Utah, and the biathlon and cross-country ski events were held in the Heber Valley. Should you go cross-country skiing at Soldier Hollow, you’ll be skiing the same trails on which the world’s best athletes competed for gold!

Soldier Hollow has 19 miles of Nordic-specific groomed tracks. The mix of terrain is great for beginners and experts — and everyone in between!

If you are new to Nordic skiing, taking a lesson from an instructor in a group or private setting will help bypass some learning foibles. An instructor will teach you how to “kick and glide,” a magical motion that allows you to “coast” momentarily before the next step (or “kick”). In no time at all this new sport will take you further and further out into the wonderful world of winter!

Like Nordic skiing, most everyone can strap on a pair of flotation devices called snowshoes. Once accustomed to taking a little wider steps, the going gets pretty easy. For those summer hiking lovers, snowshoes are the way to explore, stay fit or simply get outside during the winter.

A Park Of Possibilities

Just outside the Visitor Center at Wasatch Mountain State Park is winter adventure wonderland.
The Dutch Hollow Trail Complex is part of our local state park and the trails are open in the winter. It’s an excellent place to take snowshoes, and if you hike to the far end of the Overlook Loop, you’ll be rewarded with a view of the entire Heber Valley.

At the park’s Visitors Center you’ll find loads of information on local wildlife and activities. The center has maps of the area and local experts to help you find the winter trails — including Dutch Hollow. With a groomed Nordic ski track just out back and single-track trails across the street, the Visitor Center is a great winter activity base.

The park’s Winter Festival on January 15th is a seasonal highlight that encourages folks to get outside and experience winter activities. Participants are able to use a wide variety of winter equipment and get familiar with the facilities, park and winter offerings.

Winter In The Heber Valley

There are so many options when it comes to winter activities in the Heber Valley. Whether you’re looking to recreate alone, with friends or with family, the important thing is to just get outside. We live in such a beautiful place that has so much to offer… don’t let the cold of winter keep you in!

In the beautiful Heber Valley, we have the good fortune of looking out the door and viewing some of the greatest mountains in our part of the state. Looking southwest, we can see the great Mount Timpanogos, named for a Ute princess who fell asleep on top of the range. Looking west up the Snake Creek drainage, we can see the white rocks that make up the backside of Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. And to the east, we’ll find the behemoth mountains of the Uintas.

Living in this idyllic valley of ours, we have all heard the call of the mountains. When they beckon, we happily heed their call.

Worse Case Scenario

Imagine this scenario: You and a friend make a plan to hike some new trails and head out with a general idea of where you’re going. You’ve been on the trail for a few hours and the wide path you were on has consistently narrowed – then suddenly disappears. You struggle to connect the landmarks around you to those on your map. After trying to retrace your steps, you realize that you’re on a maze of game trails. It is now 7:30 p.m. and you were expected home two hours ago.

You believe the trail is about two miles back up the hill but you aren’t certain. It’s fall and the sun will set soon. The air is getting cooler and the evening lows will hover around 40° F. With no idea where you are, you try to make a phone call but have no service.

At this point, you realize you may be spending the night in the woods under the starry skies of the Wasatch Back. And you’re completely unprepared.

Have A Plan And Stick To It

It’s easy to feel comfortable hiking new terrain in the surrounding mountains – it feels familiar because we see it every day from our homes and as we go about our daily lives in the Heber Valley. Once you’re out there, though, and the terrain takes on new shapes, pitches or unpredictable conditions, you may not recognize where you are. That is why route planning is so critical when it comes to safely exploring the outdoors.

In your plan, you should always include a specific trail or series of trails, expected start and finish times, where your vehicle will be parked and any other details that can help pinpoint your location if necessary. This information should be left with a responsible party who will not be with you on the trail. Also, never leave home without a map of the area and a compass – or even a portable GPS, if you have one.

Ultimately, detailed plans create a foundation for Search and Rescue, giving them a place to start if you’re in need of saving.

Don’t Panic

Kam Kohler, the captain of Wasatch County Search and Rescue, says that the main reason hikers get into trouble and are found so far off trail is because they panic. In a frantic attempt to find their way back to the trail, distoriented hikers inadvertently wander further from it.

So, what should you do if you find yourself in a rescue situation? Sit down and hug a tree.

Kholer’s advice may seem strange at first, but it makes perfect sense. By sitting down and hugging a tree, you immobilize your feet, preventing you from wandering further. It also gives you time to take a deep breath and calm yourself enough to think clearly.

Once you’ve collected yourself, you should make an assessment of your surroundings. What you see? What can you hear? Are there any visual or auditory markers that will help lead you to safety? For example, do you see smoke from a fire or hear a generator from a nearby camper? Can you hear any nearby hikers or see trail signs you may have missed? These types of observations are impossible to make or process if you are in a state of panic.

As day turns into night, you will want to seek shelter. Before you tuck yourself away, however, it’s important to leave an obvious sign of your presence out in the open. This can greatly help searchers find you when they comb the area.

Moral of the story? If you have no idea where you are and no indication of how to return to safety, it’s best to stay put and remain calm. If you planned your trip and shared that information with a friend or family member, Search and Rescue Units will find you – it’s what they’re trained to do.