Chris Engelsman

The RTS trail at Utah's Olympic Park (ski jumping, bobsled, skeleton, and luge), is a fantastic beginner-to-intermediate trail. Since it's a short loop at only 2.6 miles and 366 feet of elevation gain, it's perfect for kids and beginners. Most of the sections are smooth dirt that winds through aspen groves and meadows. The lower trail has a few more rocks - just enough for beginners to test the...

The Mount Werner Trail starts at the Blackleaf Canyon Trailhead in the Montana front range of the Rocky Mountains. On a side note, Blackleaf Canyon is also a popular rock climbing area. On the trail, you'll walk along Blackleaf Creek, and Muddy Creek so water will be available during the hike in case you bring your filter/purifier. As you hike, you'll see magnificent views of the Bob Marshall W...

McMillan Springs Campground is south of Hanksville, Utah and within the Henry Mountains, which run north and south between Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef National Parks.  Situated at 8,400 feet, McMillan Springs Campground has moderate temperatures and is managed by the BLM, so fees are donation based. The campground has 15 spots, two outhouse toilets, and water. As of June 2017, they were updat...

Due to the cold water being released from the bottom of Holter Lake, it creates excellent habitat for trout. The section of the Missouri River from Holter Dam to Cascade, MT is the main area for trout fishing, and has excellent access to the river.  This section of river runs through the valley with sparsely forested hillsides. Montana Fishing Permits  $10 conservation license (non-resident age...

The Quarry Mountain trail is a less-traveled option than the Iron Mountain trail in Park City offering unique views of McPolin Farm to the west, Kimball Junction and Old Ranch Road to the north, Park City to the south, and Promontory Ranch to the East. The trail starts at the McPolin Farm parking area on the east side Highway 224 (the main road from I-80 to old town Park City) and ends at the t...

To get to Daly Canyon, just continue up Main Street in Park City. The road turns to dirt soon after the last house and a gate is closed across the road not far beyond that.  Hiking, biking, or jogging up the old road you'll have the stream to your left and about a 1/4 mile up you'll see the old Judge Mine buildings that are being preserved. If you continue farther you'll reach the base of Deer ...

Starting at an elevation of 8,960 feet at Empire Pass, the trail follows the ridge to the west. It starts off on a gravel road, but quickly turns into a single-track trail once you pass the buried water tank. For the most part, you will stay on the ridge and have great views of Clayton Peak, Deer Creek Reservoir, and Park City, but for a short time Empire Pass Ridge trail drops into the trees n...

The Kings Hill Pass Trail is located off Highway 89 in the Little Belt Mountains of the Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest. Kings Hill is considered a scenic byway and climbs to an elevation just over 7,200 feet at the pass.  Kings Hill Pass Trail is considered a more difficult trail and sees little traffic. The trail is available for activities all year long. In the winter you can snowsh...

With it's easy access from Rodney Street, Rodney Ridge Trail is a locals favorite. The trail heads up the ridge and provides fantastic views of Helena below.  The trail is rated as moderate, and is used primarily for mountain biking and hiking. Dogs are allowed, so, you'll most like encounter a 4-legged furry friend on the trail.  From Rodney Ridge Trail, you can link up to a whole bunch of oth...

As you head south on Hwy 89 south of I-70 in central Utah, you wind through a picturesque canyon along the Sevier River. As the canyon opens up, Big Rock Candy Mountain's caramel colored hillside comes into full view. The caramel color is a stark contrast to the other mountains covered in pinion pines.  Back in 1928, Harry McClintock recorded the song "Big Rock Candy Mountain" shortly after tha...

Mount Ellen is considered an Ultra Prominent Peak. What's that you may ask? Well, Ultra Prominent Peaks are determined by how high the summit rises above its surroundings. Rising 5,812 feet above the desert floor with a summit elevation of 11,527 feet, Mount Ellen is the third most prominent peak in Utah behind #2 Mount Peale in the La Sal Range, and #1 Kings Peak in the Uinta Mountains. In cas...

Berthoud Pass is 55 miles from Denver making it one of the closest places to get out and backcountry tour in the winter. At 11,370 Berthoud Pass crosses the continental divide. From the top of the pass you can do shuttle runs down the south side of the pass. Or, you can venture on the East or West side of the road and do out and backs. Down the pass towards Winter Park is the Current Creek pull...

Castle Rock Campground is located within Utah's Fremont Indian State Park just off Interstate 70, which according to the camp host, is a favorite place to camp for people traveling between California and Colorado.  At 6,200 feet in elevation, the temps are manageable in the summer, and the large cottonwood trees and bushes provide shade from the sun and privacy from your neighbors. Castle Rock ...

The hike to Cuberant Lake is 3-miles with a couple of steeper sections, but for the most part, it is a flat hike. From the Pass Lake Trailhead, you will head west on the Lofty Lake Loop Trail. On this part of the trail, you pass through meadows with Bald and Reid Peaks in the background, which is gorgeous. As you hike, you'll pass a couple of unnamed smaller lakes. At about 1.2 miles, you will ...

There are multiple trailheads to access the Pipe Dream trail in Moab. This time we chose to start at the Jackson Street parking area and rode the pipeline trail south for approximately 3-miles. This section of trail is a 2-track road that follows, you guessed it, the gas pipeline. It climbs around 730 feet with a punchy climb within the first 1/4 mile.  At the Hidden Valley Trailhead, you'll tu...

Experience solitude and beauty at Little Creek Mesa Utah. When you get there, grab a campsite, and go for an evening mountain bike ride along the rim of the mesa and see breathtaking views of the valley below as the sun sets.  Little Creek Mesa is located 22 miles from Hurricane, Utah and only 8 miles from state highway 59. It's directly south of its cousin, Gooseberry Mesa, but with fewer peop...

If you are looking to ride one of Moab's famed mountain bike trails, then look no further than the Portal Trail. It's a short 2-mile trail that starts on the rim above the Colorado River and descends 1,388.  To access the Portal Trail you can take a shuttle from town to the top of the Magnificent 7/Gemini Bridges trail system and there are multiple shuttle services (Coyote, Poison Spider, Moab ...

The easiest way to start this hiking only trail is to jump on the Red Pine Gondola at the Canyons Village of Park City Mountain Resort. If you have an Epic Pass, the lift is free. Otherwise, you'll need to buy a ticket to ride to the base of Red Pine Lodge.  From the base of Red Pine Lodge (8,000 feet) head south past the Saddleback chair lift. Signs will lead you to the Tombstone trail. After ...

An hour drive north of the town of Seeley Lake Montana is the Glacier Lake Trailhead and the starting point for your hike. Glacier Lake Trailhead is a popular trailhead, and the parking lot can fill up quickly on hot summer weekends since it provides access to trails which lead to three different lakes.  From the Glacier Lake Trailhead, you can access Glacier Lake, Turquoise Lake, along with Cr...

Enjoy a leisurely drive through the National Elk Refuge as you leave Jackson, Wyoming for Curtis Canyon Campground. A short walk from the campground provides epic views of the Teton Range and the National Elk Refuge. Pour a cup of coffee and enjoy! Curtis Canyon Campground is part of the Bridger-Teton National Forest and has 12 campsites. They don't accept reservations and its first-come-first-...

The rock domes and slickrock around the campsites provide fun for young and old to scramble on, or simply enjoy the sunrise or sunset. Located just outside of the town of Moab Utah is the Sand Flats Recreation Area. The area is managed jointly by the Bureau of Land Management and Grand County Utah so State and Federal Park passes are not accepted.  From the town of Moab, take East Mill Creek Ro...

Did you know that Fort Benton was considered the "World's  Innermost Port" until the railroads started moving goods and people across the west? Nowadays, some people call Fort Benton a "sleepy little river town", but paddlers and history buffs seek the solitude and beauty of the Upper Missouri River.  Fort Benton is also the gateway to the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument and locat...

The CDT trail is a popular trail with thru-hikers, and is considered one of the three Crown Jewels. The Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail being the other two.  This section of the Continental Divide Trail starts 25-minutes to the West of Helena just off Highway 12 at the CDNST Trailhead at MacDonald Pass. This section of trail heads north and consists of an access trail and double t...

The Dry Fork Trailhead at the end of Weber Canyon Rd is the starting point for the hike to Round, Sand, and Fish Lakes in the Uinta Mountains of Utah. In the early spring and summer, this trail can be wet due to snowmelt runoff, but by mid-summer, it dries out and is a fantastic hike. The trail is rocky and a constant climb so you have to pay attention to your foot placement so that you don't t...