Smith Creek Lakes is located along the Skyline Drive, near Farmington, Utah. The hike starts from Francis Peak, then follows a jeep/ATV road as it drops into the basin where a chain of three lakes sits. All three lakes are fairly big for a high alpine lake, and each lake had at least one campsite. The hike itself is really easy, and you can't get lost. Plan on taking a half day to explore all three lakes, and to let the dogs swim and cool off. Smith Creek Lakes is only available when the Farmington Canyon Road is open, typically June through October. There is only a little shade, so plan to start hiking early to beat the heat on the hike back up to the car.
Murdock Mountain is a hidden gem in the High Uintas Wilderness, located just off the Mirror Lake Highway in Utah. Unlike the popular nearby Bald Mountain, which sees hundreds of hikers each summer, Murdock sees fewer than 75 people reach its summit annually. This makes it a perfect destination for solitude and stunning views. The route is off-trail but manageable—only 1 mile of easy boulder-hopping leads to breathtaking 360-degree vistas.
Reids Peak (11,708 ft) is located in the High Uintas Wilderness, just off the Mirror Lake Highway. While its neighbor peak, Bald Mountain, see hundreds of hikers each summer, less than 50 people will make the Reids Peak summit each year, and for good reason. There is no trail to the summit and requires light scrambling, so it's not a good peak for the average/newbie hiker. Typically, only experienced peak baggers are the ones looking to make the summit, and knowledge of route finding will make this hike successful.
Bridger Peak (9,225 ft) is the Rich County High Point, but also the lowest in elevation of all Utah County High Points (CoHPs)! Bridger Peak was Unnamed Peak until 1999 when the Tribune ran a contest for someone to name the peak. Briger Peak won for Jim Bridger who was an early explorer of Utah and the Yellowstone area, Now Yellowstone National Park. He was a great mediator between the Native American tribes and European-American settlers, and was in excellent shape aiding him to explore the West.
Cleaning your bladder doesn't have to be hard, use these 9 Ways to Clean & Dry Your Camelbak Bladder! Whether you are a novice or experience hiker, I think we are all together when I say, "I hate cleaning my Camelbak bladder!" Yet, it's a necessary evil. Reservoir maintenance is essential to make sure you're getting hydrated properly without sucking in mold or bacteria. Reservoir cleaning should be given priority after every one to two uses.
Brumley Arch is located in the LaSal Mountains, just outside Moab, Utah. It is only 2 miles round trip, making this a great family-friendly hike that even dogs are allowed to hike to. The trail is very shaded, but has some steep spots, especially to get to the bottom of the creek and to see the arch so it's best for kids over age 6. Brumley Creek runs year round, though water levels may be quite low in late Summer to Fall.
Mann's Peak (12,272 ft) 5th highest peak in the LaSal Mountains, and one of seven "12ers" in the range. The LaSal Mountains are the 2nd highest mountain range in Utah, behind the Uinta Mountains. Mann's Peak is easily accessible by a trail the entire way from the West at Warner Lake Campground, or coming from the East in Beaver Basin. The trail itself is mostly well-shaded, with plenty of water from the Dry Fork Mill Creek. As you reach the saddle, you'll hike above tree line and will be fully exposed. Start hiking early in the morning to beat the afternoon thunderstorms that occur almost daily in this mountain range. The best time to summit is Summer and Fall (typically late June to the first snowfall in October).