Rick and I have an annual cross-country ski get-a-way. In an effort to save some cash, we scaled back this year. I received a gift certificate to the Anniversary Inn for Christmas so we decided to use it up in Logan and spend a couple of days exploring the ski trails in Cache Valley.
On Friday, we had lunch at a favorite spot from my college days and headed up Logan Canyon for a ski. We found an amazing trail, Bunchgrass. The temps were below 30 but the sun was out and the air was still so we both took the liners out of our parkas. Unfortunately, once we were over this hill, the trail headed up a canyon and was in the shade most of the time. Fortunately, we were warmed up enough by then that it wasn't too cold.
The scenery was beautiful and we didn't see another person all afternoon.
The trail was a steady climb and got steeper the farther we went up the canyon. Since it has been so cold, we weren't contending with icy snow, so we found it to be a good workout without sliding much on the steeper inclines. Perfect conditions.
Rick decided to break trail for a while through a meadow. It was deeper than we anticipated.
We read there was a yurt at the end of the trail, which we thought would be a fun future family weekend. We looked it up later to find out it costs $180 A NIGHT! Scratch that idea.
We skied up the canyon for just under 2 hours. We knew with the late afternoon sun and downhill getting back it was going to be cold if we waited much longer. It was a blast coming down. Lots of powder just off of the broken trail. It took us about 45 minutes to get back to the car.
We debated getting up early the next morning to ski, but when we saw the temps were 8 degrees, we opted for a movie in the hotel room and an afternoon ski. This time we stayed closer to Logan and skied up Green Canyon. We weren't completely out of the inversion and the temps were still in the teens. It was cold! Even though it was groomed trail, the snow was nice and the canyon was pretty. A very different experience from the day before, but still a lot of fun.
It was cold! I had my liner in my parka and my scarf around my face all day, which frosted over from my breath. For the first 15 minutes I didn't think my hands would thaw, but after a while skiing up the canyon, I warmed up a little. The downhill was pretty cold on our faces though.
On the way home, we stopped at the Bear River Bird Refuge. Swans often winter there and we thought we'd take the short detour to see them. I always think the landscape at the refuge is other worldly.
You can never predict what you'll get from the refuge, although it's never disappointing. No swans, but lots of ducks that I didn't expect to see and quite a few owls, which is always fun. This is pic of a Great Blue Heron flying over some ducks.
Here is a partial list from the day. We didn't have binoculars or a bird book (need to plan better next time): Great Blue Herons, Owls, Eagles, Rough legged hawks, Northern Harriers, Ruddy Ducks, Coots, Red Winged Blackbird (almost got eaten by the hawk), Shoveler, Grebes, Goldeneyes, and possibly a couple of Redheads.
What a great weekend. I LOVE spending time with Rick and having some fun new adventures together.
