Cache Valley Fall Recreation
Cache Valley in the fall is definitely something you will not want to miss! The perfect fall colors can be found throughout the end of September until early October. The ideal colors and atmosphere make it a great place to hike or climb through several gorgeous canyons. Go ahead and enjoy the weather your time on the water, or spend the evening in a collage of color at one of the many campgrounds available.
Backcountry ATV / Jeeps
The valley and surrounding mountains of Logan provide side roads which will give you access to scenic mountain ranges. The Temple Fork Road is a popular
route to find other roads. The aspen trees in the area
are always a beautiful site. The Beaver Creek Lodge
provides jeep rentals. They can be reached at their
website [3] or by calling 1-800- 946-4485.
Mountain Biking
Cache Valley is well known for beautiful cycle rides throughout the valley. There are several places to go including Logan Canyon. The canyon is a wonderful place to bike in the spring, summer and fall. These rides will take you along rivers and lakes and picturesque mountain landscapes.
Logan is the home to three well-known bicycle events. The first of these, MS 150 Bike Tour, is held at the end of June. Over 1,000 people ride 75 miles throughout Cache Valley?s beautiful countryside. There is also and option 40 mile ride available for leisure riders. This challenging ride will be entertaining for all, whether you?re an experienced or beginning rider.
The second big cycling event, the LOTOJA Classic Bicycle race, is held annually in September. The race begins in Logan and travels north through the scenic back roads to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This race is the longest single-day bicycle road race in North America. Cyclists are able to travel 203 miles through three states, Utah, Idaho and Wyoming, and climb over a 7,000-ft. mountain pass. Thousands of spectators watch throughout the course and the finish line.
The third bicycle event, the Cache Classic, is held Labor Day weekend. The race is sponsored by the Logan Race Club which includes Prologue Time Trial, Little Mountain Road Race, Downtown Criterium, Canyon Road Race and a Time Trial. For more information, contact Doug Wilkins (435) 787-2534. www.loganraceclub.org. [4]
Utah?s Best Dam MS 150 Bike Tour
http://www.fightmsutah.org [5]
(801) 493-0113
1-800-527-8116
LOTOJA Classic Bicycle Race
http://www.lotoiaclassic.com [6]
(801) 627-6200
1-800-497-7335
Al?s Cyclery and Fitness
Mountain bikes, $35/day
1617 North Main, Logan
(435) 752-5131
Joyride Bikes
Mountain, road, hybrid, cruiser, and tandem bikes,
$25-50/day.
65 South Main, Logan
http://www.joyridebikes.com [7]
(435) 753-7175
Norda?s Mountain Outfitters
Mountain bikes, $20.day (only rent during Spring-Summer)
77 North Main, Logan
(435) 753-2934
The Sportsman
Mountain, road, tandem. $14.95/half day, $25-30/full day
129 North Main, Logan
752-0211
Bird watching
Cache Valley has an abundant of bird population that allows for great bird watching. Cutler Marsh is located west of Logan and offers all that a wetland habitat can. White pelicans, great blue herons, common egrets, western grebes, plus a variety of ducks, geese and shorebirds frequent the area every summer. The number of different birds in this area will impress you!
The north end of the Wellsville Mountains is a great place to observe the annual raptor migration. Various birds can be seen beginning their journey south. Northern harriers, kestrels, goshawks, red-tailed hawks, golden eagles and other species are among the
species seen.
Fishing
Looking for a good fishing story? Anglers can accesssome of the best fishing in the Rockies within minutes of downtown Logan. Blacksmith Fork River, Logan River and Bear Lake are three of the most popular fishing places Looking for trout? Then head up
to Tony Grove Lake which is stocked with beautiful rainbows. If bigger Lake Trout or Cutthroat are your style then head up to Bear Lake. It's said that the largest fish caught up Logan Canyon was a 40 pounder!
Hiking
The trails never end here in Cache Valley. The interwoven network of scenic trails will take you on picturesque hikes for all ages. You may be looking for a three hour hike to the top of the Wellsville Mountains or a short hike up to the Wind Caves to
explore the wind card arches of Logan Canyon. The summer temperature of the Canyons usually stays in the 70's or 80's. The Bridgerland Hiking Trail Guide [8] will help you get a good look at the fifteen most popular hikes.
Wildlife Watching
You don?t want to miss out on an opportunity to see Elk, moose and deer throughout the mid-section in Logan Canyon. Beaver dams are often found along the Logan River. Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area, located 17 miles east of Hyrum, has over 600 elk which make the ranch their winter home.
Hardware Ranch Elk Refuge
15 miles east of Hyrum, on US Hwy 101 in Blacksmith Fork Canyon. Each year more than 600 Rocky Mountain elk make the ranch home for the winter. http://www.hardwareranch.com [9]
(435) 753-6206
Logan Canyon Scenic Byway
U.S. Highway 89 showcases beautiful Logan Canyon.
Horseback Riding
Numerous winding trails climb the wilderness around the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. You will find these trails minutes from the road you, which will make you feel as if you have jumped back in time to the Old West. Come and see nature, wildlife and the great outdoors. Horses are available for rest as follows:
Beaver Creek Lodge:
Hwy. 89, Logan CanyonTake a guided trail ride through the hills of Logan Canyon
http://www.beavercreeklodge.com [10]
Sherwood Hills Information:(435) 245-5054, 1-800-532-5066
Hot Springs
In just a short 30-minute drive from downtown Logan, you could be relaxing in one of five natural hot springs. After visiting the other invigorating activities in Logan, plan on visiting one of these spots.
Riverdale Resort
3696 North 1600 East, Preston, ID (30 min. north of Logan)
Mon-Thu 2-9:45 pm, Fri 2-12pm, Sat 11am-9:45pm
Downata Hot Springs
25900 South Downata Road, Downey, Idaho (1 hour northwest of Logan)
Campgrounds available
Lava Hot Springs
Lava Hot Springs, Idaho (1 hour, 30 min. north of Logan)
Olympic pool: Mon-Thu 12pm-9pm, Fri-Sun 11am-9pm
Hot pools: Apr 1-Sep 30 8am-11pm
Oct 1-Mar 31 9am-10pm http://www.lavahotsprings.com [11]
1-800-423-8597
Maple Grove Hot Springs 11386 N. Oneida Narrows Rd.
Thatcher, ID (55 miles north of Logan)
http://www.maplegrovehotsprings.com [12]
maplegrove@starband.net
208-851-1137
Fall Colors
Glamour magazine named Logan Canyon one of the top nine places in the country to view fall colors. The perfect fall colors can be found throughout the end of September until early October. The ideal fall colors and atmosphere make it a great place to hike or climb through the gorgeous canyons. The red maples and honey colored aspens set amongst the juniper and green pines make it an amazing color palette. The following areas are recommended for viewing:
Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway
Hwy. 89, Logan Canyon
Wellsville (Sardine) Canyon
Blacksmith Fork Canyon
Green Canyon
Hunting
Deer, elk and moose are most prevelant in the state in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Rabbits and game birds are also abundant in that area. Water fowl can be found alongside the Bear River. You may obtain a Utah Hunting Proclamation from the tourist council, many local sporting goods stores and Logan Ranger District.
|
[13]