View toward North Fork Hobble Creek and Provo Peak massif

View from Bald Knoll summit

South Fork of Provo River canyon and Mt. Timpanogos

Lots of beaver activity near the trailhead

Ridge exploration in the Wasatch Back. Bald Knoll (9,337') and Rattlesnake Mountain. 10.6 miles and 3149' of elevation gain.

Pine View Reservoir to the southeast

Looking down toward North Ogden, Willard Bay and Ben Lomond

Ogden Canyon and Mt. Ogden

Only about 1" of snow near the top.

Lewis Peak from North Ogden divide. Forgot this was the opening day of deer hunting season. Saw several hunters on dirt bikes (no fair, that's cheating). 10.7 miles, 2,769' elevation gain. Muddy but very little snow.

View down into Mueller Park and Bountiful from the ridge

View into Mueller Park (Elephant Rock in center right)

Abandoned mine shaft well off trail

This is where I turned around. Dense manzanita and no clear trail to the summit.

Kenney Creek trail to Sessions Mountain ridge, first hike in snow this season. About 4" at my maximum elevation of 8759'. Lost the trail in the snow and had to turn around. :( 8.4 miles, 3,812' elevation gain and one wasp sting.

Close to the easternmost point of the hike

New bridge over Mill Creek

Muted fall colors today

Looking toward Elephant Rock from a newly constructed section of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail

Checked out some new trails in Mueller Park this afternoon. You can now do a loop on both sides of the canyon. But beware of mountain bikers. 9.9 miles, only 1,460' of elevation gain. Nice and easy.

This one was crawling on my neck

They are sure ugly MFs

Something was crawling on my neck--I knocked this Jerusalem cricket off mid-hike.

Foliage on the ridge

Looking down toward Bountiful and the Great Salt Lake

Christmas tree farm along the trail; the trees were planted in perfect rows.

I noticed a trail on Google Earth but it wasn't listed anywhere. It's only 10 minutes from home, so I had to check it out today. It goes from the edge of Bountiful up the ridge between Holbrook and Mueller Park canyons. I went as far as the Kenney Creek trail junction on the Sessions Mountain Ridge.

Looking south from summit toward North Ogden

Looking north from summit toward Willard Peak

Beautiful foliage (no filter)

More fall colors

Ben Lomond (elev. 9722) from North Fork TH with Wasatch Mountain Club. Perfect weather and lovely foliage. 15.1 miles, 3,973' elevation gain.

Pinecrest Mine

View down into Red Butte Canyon

Fall colors are spectacular along the Emigration Canyon Mine loop today.

I heard something about it on NPR the other day. Apparently our brilliant HHS secretary is behind this.

Since good news seems hard to come by these days, just thought I'd share that the goldfish I thought had died in my pond had actually flourished over the last couple of months without any care. They are just good at hiding I suppose.

Morning light in Ward Canyon

Old mine (lead/zinc/copper) adit.

Massive fern brake

I steered clear of this obviously

Ward Canyon is a mostly unknown gem of a hike which I had completely to myself after the first mile.

Closing in on Baker Pass and Mt. Raymond

Tree roots splitting rock, Mt. Raymond

View southwest from Desolation Trail toward lower Big Cottonwood Canyon

View southwest from Desolation Trail toward Big Cottonwood Canyon and Salt Lake Valley

Bowman Fork/Porter Fork loop around Mount Raymond. Great conditions. 11 miles, 3740' elevation gain/loss. Note: Millcreek Canyon road is closed before the Bowman Fork turnoff through the rest of the year and beyond.

Looking down toward Draper and Utah Lake

Looking East toward 2nd Hamongog

Ennis Peak summit (9,348')

Majestic Lone Peak

Ennis Peak via Jacob's Ladder. 3507' elevation gain and 10.8 miles. Maybe some day I'll do all of the Lone Peak trail (this was about half of it).

Mill B North Fork trail to Desolation Trail below Mt. Raymond. No people past the first mile. Beautiful overcast Sunday with light drizzle. One annoying bee sting. 7.9 miles and 3147' elevation gain.

Finally tackled Gobblers Knob (via Butler Fork TH). 7.9 miles, 3161' of elevation gain. Was certainly feeling my age today while completing that. There are at least 3 false summits near the top which is a little demoralizing. But overall a good hike, great views, and a beautiful day.

Combo mountain bike/hike today to Sessions Mountain West. This is the highest peak above Bountiful between Bountiful and Grandview Peaks at 9259'. Beautiful route which I had completely to myself, except for one perturbed rattlesnake. I also found a permanent hammock to chill on.

Butler Fork loop with side trips to Dog Lake (no people there--never seen that before!) and a scramble up Soldier Peak where there were a lot of hornets.

Another crazy Farmington city trail, so steep I was afraid of starting a rockslide. Some cool Precambrian formations up here though

3-day getaway to the Uintas. Here's our camping setup and pics from a hike to Cliff, Clyde, and Wall Lakes

Hike from Snowbird lodge to the top of the Aerial Tram, plus a side trip to Blackjack Waterfall. Beautiful day for exploring.

Off the beaten path along Burch Creek above Ogden. No people at all and not much of a trail either. Beautiful spot with a perennial stream and lush forest. Lots of route-finding challenges and a bit of scrambling.

Day 3 photos from Canyonlands NP Salt Creek backpack. Full album can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/54649...

Day 2 photos from Canyonlands NP Salt Creek backpack. Full album can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/54649...

Day 1 photos from Canyonlands NP Salt Creek backpack. Full album can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/54649...

I recently finished a 3-day, 31-mile backpacking trip along Salt Creek in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. This was at the top of my bucket list and it did not disappoint! Here are some photos from Day 0 (camped at the trailhead).

Reserve tickets here or pick up at the door: westminsteru.edu/calendar.htm...

The program features the winners of our Concerto Competition and Elgar's Enigma Variations, with guest assistant conductor Robert Oldroyd (here is my view from the harpsichord as he is leading the orchestra in Mozart).

Hi everyone, I wanted to extend an open invitation to my last concert as director of the Westminster Chamber Orchestra. I've been conducting this ensemble with only one interruption since 2012, but it's time to step down and pass the torch. The concert is May 7 at 7:30. Tickets are free!

Adams Cabin, a steep trail to a hunter's cabin on National Forest land above Layton, UT. Found another undocumented arch, about 10' by 3' in size.

Canyoneering Little West Fork of Bluejohn Canyon with the Westminster Outdoor Program. Fantastic outing and great leadership from the student trip organizers!