Travis Poulson

Catherine Pass is a must do if you are in the Salt Lake vicinity in July. The wildflowers are mind-blowing. But it’s a great hike to do in the Spring, after Alta Ski Resort has closed, and the Fall as well.  It costs $6 per vehicle to drive to the trailhead, or $10 per person to ride the lift (if it’s running). Park at the midway parking lot and head East up the slope, or step off the lift and ...

Shaw’s Cove is located just 3 minutes North of Laguna Beach’s Main Beach Park and one beach south of Crescent Bay. There’s a dive shop placed conveniently above the cove so if you need to rent equipment, it’s right there. The shop is close enough to walk to the cove, but with 60 pounds of gear, that’s not a fun walk. I recommend renting multiple tanks for multiple dives to get your money’s wort...

Porter Fork starts at the aptly named Porter Fork Trailhead about 4 miles up Millcreek Canyon. It’s actually Porter Fork Road for the first 1.5 miles of the trail. This section is a pleasant, paved path winding up through a dozen or so cabins. You’ll gain about 1,000 feet. If you make it past the cabins, you’re doing better than most hikers on the trail and are therefore rewarded with a seclude...

Disclaimer: Canyoneering is a dangerous and technical activity. Don’t enter any canyon without the skills to match it, or the knowledge to navigate it. Your Boundary Canyon adventure starts at the West Rim Trailhead with a pleasant stroll down an old logging road. Dodge fallen trees and enjoy a lush, high alpine forest, not typical of Zion hiking. After a couple miles, the canyon drops in s...

There are several places to access the trail system and several good places to park on both the Jeremy Ranch side and the Glenwild side. One of my favorite options is to park at the end of Jeremy Road and then take the 24-7 trail into the action. This is also a good way to access the Flying Dog trail. Because of its south faces and lower elevation, this network is a great for early or late seas...

Are you planning a big adventure and need a boost getting ready for it? You came to the right place. This is my go-to when I’m preparing to climb a big mountain. It’s hard to find a steeper trail in the area (that’s not a game trail), and the West Face is usually free of snow early in the season. The hike is 4.6 miles round-trip with an elevation gain of 3,200 feet. Park in the lot at the nort...

This mountain can be conquered two ways and is a great after-work adventure to watch the sunset, an early morning trail run, or a fun family challenge. The trail is 4 miles and 1,425 feet elevation gain (from the Alta side) or 6 miles and 2,050 feet (from the Brighton side). Both routes converge on Catherine Pass, which can be reach from the Brighton side by trekking past Lake Mary, Martha and ...

Disclaimer: Canyoneering is a dangerous and technical activity. Don’t enter any canyon without the skills to match it, or the knowledge to navigate it. Echo Canyon requires a canyoneering permit that can be reserved online and picked up at the Zion Visitor Center. Be sure to reserve your permit 3 months in advance as it can sell out during peak season, especially on weekends. Snow collects in E...

Disclaimer: Canyoneering is a dangerous and technical activity. Don’t enter any canyon without the skills to match it, or the knowledge to navigate it. Pine Creek requires a canyoneering permit that can be reserved online and picked up at the Zion Visitor Center. Be sure to reserve your permit 3 months in advance as Pine Creek typically sells out every day in the summer. Why does it sell out? B...

Balboa Island, located in Newport Bay, is a fun destination on its own, but add a relaxing SUP to the mix and you’ve got yourself an adventure. There are two ways to get onto island: cross the Marine Avenue Bridge, or take the Balboa Island Ferry (directly inland from Balboa Pier and south of Newport Pier). I recommend the Ferry if you’re going for the full island experience. You’ll find severa...

If you’re a downhill bomber, you came to the right place. The resort has lift-served singletrack of every difficulty with machine-built table tops, berms, tree runs and technical obstacles. If cross country is more your scene, there are miles of forested climbs, beautiful views and enjoyable downhill. To ride the lifts, park at the Snow Park Lodge, where you’ll buy your ticket and rent a bike/p...

Disclaimer: Canyoneering is a dangerous and technical activity. Don’t enter any canyon without the skills to match it, or the knowledge to navigate it. Benson Creek is a pleasant little spot for families to hike a waterfall (Hidden Haven Falls), or a fantastic spot for canyoneers to rappel some waterfalls and explore a unique section of narrows. It’s a great diversion from a long road trip and ...

If you’re a rock climber, you probably know all about Maple Canyon. It’s unique conglomerate walls attract climbers from all over the world. It’s a Mecca of sorts. The beautiful canyon contains some outstanding hiking as well and this adventure will give you a taste of the entire canyon. The trailhead is located just south of Mount Nebo and is about a 1.5 hour drive from Salt Lake City. Exit I...

If it’s an even day and you’re in Salt Lake and you’re in possession of a mountain bike, put down your phone and spend the next 2 hours in pure bliss. Mountain bikers are only allowed to use the trails of upper Millcreek Canyon on even days, which makes for a busy route, but well worth it. This is a must do ride! The route starts at the Soldier Fork parking lot (just before the Great Western Tr...

If you want to avoid the crowds heading to the Salt Lake Overlook and are looking for a bigger challenge with better views, Thayne Canyon is the ticket. The trail is 6 miles roundtrip with 2,800 feet of elevation gain. It’s a great evening hike and the peak is a nice place to watch the sunset. The path stays in the shady canyon bottom for much of the way up. Its rocky walls are carpeted with mo...

Disclaimer: Canyoneering is a dangerous and technical activity. Don’t enter any canyon without the skills to match it, or the knowledge to navigate it. Be sure to check the flow of Olallie creek to ensure that it's safe. In an area where canyoneering isn’t hugely popular, here lies a canyon that is relatively unknown. This means you have the place completely to yourself. And you get to enjoy it...

The Aspen Grove trail is shorter but a bit steeper than the Timpanooke Trail. This usually means that fewer people take this route, and on an extremely popular mountain like Timpanogos, that’s a good thing. The trail is 14 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 5,140 feet.  The hike begins at the Aspen Grove parking lot and shares a trailhead with Stewart Falls. Take the trail heading west ...

Named for a toddler who died of Lukemia in 1995, Jacks Mountain is a beautiful place to sit above the valley and contemplate mortality. On the peak, you’ll find a couple mailboxes containing heartfelt notes from hundreds of hikers throughout the years. It’s the kind of place that restores your faith in humanity. The trail is steep but well worth it, climbing one of the prominent foothills above...

Heughs Canyon starts right on the edge of Salt Lake City, but within minutes, you’re in a shady forest next to a gurgling stream. This is the prefect after-work hike that can be enjoyed year-round. Two miles round-trip and just over 1,000 feet, the path takes you to a beautiful waterfall that flows throughout the year.  The trail is dog-friendly and a bit of a local “secret” so you won’t be inu...

It takes some commitment to get to the trailhead, but it’s worth it. After several dirt roads, follow a rocky 4X4 road for about 10 miles to the trailhead. Sunscreen up and walk down the path to an open wash. This wash runs into the San Rafael River. At the river, check the flow, it should be below 50 cfs for a safe adventure. Cross the river and follow the trail that takes you above the canyon...