I am driving my car out to Logan next week. Is it better to take I70 or I80? Anyone have opinions?
I have done the drive from Philly and WV and back twice. From WV, I did 70 to Indianapolis, then up I65 to junction for I80W for the rest of the long haul.
Nebraska drive sucks, FYI. Watch for cops too. Wyoming is a bit better.
Once in Utah on 80, you want to take I84 which will take you right onto I15 North and bypass SLC to Ogden traffic/construction. You will still hit some Ogden construction, they are widening the interstate, but it flows decently. Get off I15 at Brigham City, exit 364 or 362, can't remember. Will say Utah State University/Brigham City. Off ramp to the right, up through Sardine Canyon and into Cache Valley. You stay on the same road and it will take you right onto Main Street in Logan.
Hey Tim, how much time do you have? Want to see anything along the way? If you want to just get there, I-80 is the most direct route. Small deviations, like US 36 in Colorado (Trail Ridge Highway) to U.S. 40 and loop back to 80 are very worthwhile. Taking I-90 and some side roads through South Dakota (Black Hills) and into Wyoming to see Yellowstone and Teton, then back south on 89 or I-15 to Logan is very nice. Without any side trips, I-80 has to be the most boring transcontinental interstate we have; but improvements are possible if you have the time.
Right now some dates are set some things are still being figured out, (like where we will be living exactly). I have to be in Logan by the 22nd. So if I leave middle of next week that is plenty of time. I have driven through the black hills before and I liked it. Dropping down that way sounds like fun assuming we have the time.
So we just got back from Logan last night. We were scouting for apartments. After two days pounding pavement, knocking on doors, and meeting many people with rooms for rent, we finally found the right one. Its a 2 bedroom town house in the Islands area. Leases have been signed. Keys are in hand. Movers have been called. Tomorrow I am driving out to Logan.
Our New home
Here are some pictures from our weekend adventure.
Main Street
There is water flowing all over town for some mysterious reason. This is a few feet from our new home.
Logan Canyon
The Valley
Tony Grove was visited. But we didn't have time for more than a drive by.
Bear Lake
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Last edited by tromano; 07-17-2007 at 06:38 PM.
Congrats Tim! You do know that there is a washer and dryer in your kitchen right? :-)
Courage + believe = life. Life is not about how many breaths you take. It's what you do with those breaths
The Islands are a nice area. You will like it and close to work and the canyon.
The water flowing is from the irrigation that runs throughout the whole valley. See if you have a spout that is fed from the irrigation and save on water bills.
Your are looking across the Island to Cliffside^^. Where Twoplanker used to live.
This^^ is Chicken Hill, up the gut and the trees to viewer left are where you skin up for the scenic route. My first BC trip here, early season and more to practice as a beginner.
You will enjoy Bear Lake in August. Drive to Garden City on the canyone road, make a right when you can't go any farther and there is a very small, hard to see access road to the lake that you can drive out on and park. You go south along the lake road and maybe 1+ mile or so there is a white fence you make a left at. Just watch a few people turn and see where to go. I still miss the turn every time, it looks like a driveway.
Seen plenty of big trucks messin in the mud too and get stuck so be careful.
Last edited by Buzzworthy; 07-17-2007 at 07:27 PM.
My house is behind the trees in the very far left of this picture, all the way to the east, right up against the forest boundary at the base of the mountain.
Welcome to Logan!
Knew that did not sound quite right. Ski hill is what I know it as.
Tim I have off next monday and tuesday, I might have to come see the new house.
Texans take over CO, Yankees take over UT. And I just found out Californians are taking over ID. Interesting.
Anyway enjoy your new home tromano.
I'm so hardcore, I'm gnarcore.
So where is the spot for riding in logan? I have been in the car for 3 days and really need to go for a nice XC ride.
Bush, That sounds like a great idea.
I was never a big rider there, but have done some of the normal published trails. Logan Canyon, Providence canyon are your two places that I have been to. http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/ will have more. Scroll down on the left to Logan Trails. There is a list.
"Jardine Juniper Trail
Why would you bike 1850 vertical feet just to look at a tree? If you have to ask the question, you aren't a mountain biker. The Jardine Juniper Trail is a nice hill climb, and worth doing just for the ride. At its end point there are great views, plus Utah's oldest tree -- the Jardine Juniper.
If you ride the circle at the end of the trail, plus the path down to the juniper, you'll cover 11.4 miles (round trip). Starting altitude is 5350 feet, with peak altitude at the end of the ridge of 7200.
This is the Jardine Juniper, 3200 years old and still very much alive. In the background, the hills to the east lead over into the Bear Lake Valley. Photos August 31, 2001 by Bruce Argyle."
"The trail is intermediate technical singletrack, and it's a fairly strenuous climb. The first two miles, the trail heads straight up the bottom of the canyon, with some undulation and big rocks to knock you around. Although not as steep (on average) as the switchback sections that follow, this part actually seems like harder work because of loose rock, rough trail, and constant gear-switching.
Looking up the trail on the switchback section. Although it's a 12% average grade, the trail here is smooth and non-technical. So just drop down into a comfortable gear and cruise on up. "
Old Ephriam's Grave What kind of nut would ride 14.7 miles, climbing over 3000 vertical feet, just to visit the gravestone of a BEAR? Well, that would be me. And why not?
Old Ephriam was Utah's last grizzly bear, and the largest grizz ever shot in the contiguous United States. Eleven feet tall on his hind legs and weighing 1100 pounds, Old Ephriam unfortunately developed a taste for cattle and sheep. His body was buried here and his huge skull was sent to the Smithsonian.
Jackie investigates Old Ephriam's monument, while Dr. Jekyll (the bike) gets a moment's rest. All photos by Bruce Argyle, September 24, 2001.
Start the ride by heading up the Right Fork of the Logan River. Just after crossing the river, at mile 0.6, fork left and continue up the river. Just before the river enters a narrow canyon of limestone cliffs, the trail turns to follow Willow Creek uphill.
At mile 3.6, the trail becomes doubletrack in a meadow at Mud Flat. Reaching the dirt road, turn right and begin a stiff climb to the top of Long Hollow. Now give back over 1000 feet of that climb, descending down to Logan River's Right Fork.
View along the trail, as maples and aspen among the firs contribute to the fall colors.
Rick's Canyon - Steel Hollow Loop
The Rick's Canyon - Steel Hollow Loop is a 12.2 mile advanced-intermediate ride in the Right Fork of Logan Canyon. Altitude gain is 2100 feet, with much of the grade exceeding 12% in upper Rick's Canyon. This loop is for strong, well-conditioned riders with good bike-handling skills. I recommend riding up Rick's and down Steel Hollow. (Steel Hollow is a bit more steep and technical on the uphill.) This is a great ride, but it's not for beginners.
Photo from the ridgetop, looking north back towards Logan Canyon. Photos September 25, 2001 by Bruce Argyle.
UtahMountainBiking.com is your source for bike trail info, repair instructions, feature articles, first aid, fitness, and goodies.
The trail starts in dry, hot cedars near the Girl's Camp. After following the creek gently uphill for 0.6 miles, the trail crosses the creek and forks. Take the right fork, away from the creek. Rapidly, the terrain changes to fir and aspen, with currant and mahogany bushes.
At 1.4 miles, the trail forks again. Go right for Rick's Canyon and start climbing. At 3.5 miles, the trail begins to dip up and down, then climbs more steeply. You'll reach the top of the ridge at a doubletrack at 4.3 -- go 100 yards to the main dirt road and turn left.
Jackie takes a break while Bruce shoots a typical section of easier singletrack, climbing uphill in the bottom of Rick's Canyon.
That should get you started. There are a ton more. There is a FS booklet you should get your hands on from the Forestry Center at the mouth of Logan Canyon. There is one for hikes too. Then talk to Stoy here and Twoplanker for more trails.
Then there is bunchgrass, the topo 2P showed above, Swan Flats passed Beaver after the snow sheds on the left (Sinks on the right).
Have fun!
Last edited by Buzzworthy; 07-21-2007 at 01:54 PM.
Check out the ridgeline in this hike I just did:
http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=90345
The trail that runs along the ridge is called Skyline. Epic mountain biking. It's about an hour drive from Logan.
Wow, defending the faith with a STFU. Interesting. Must have hit a nerve.
As long as you are young and don't have kids you will enjoy Logan. If you care about politics I suggest you tour the local asylum first - cause you'll be in there soon. Unless of course you are religious and very conservative.
Last edited by headrush223; 07-22-2007 at 05:31 PM.
Hey, that's catchy. Maybe you should write the brochures for the Logan Chamber of Commerce. You make it sound like a bit like visiting a concentration camp.
I enjoy Logan. I'm young and I have a kid. I care about politics, I'm an atheist, and I drink liberally on my weekends out of the asylum.
Last edited by Twoplanker; 07-22-2007 at 05:59 PM.
Buzz thanks for that detailed info and the link. Much appreicated. I ended up just riding the little river trail or whtever its called, the one that goes along rt 89. I wasn't sure where I was going, how well things would be marked also my bike is sort of hosed (need a new BB and crank set). I took a side track and ended up adding like 3 miles to the ride, I found it technicall very easy. Coming from 50ft to 5000ft isn't that dramatic, but it was noticeable, I had to stop to keep from going anaerobic a few times. I think I will be spinning on that river trial all week after work just for cardio. It seems the trails here have really looong climbs. I am used to maybe 2-300 feet at a time, not 2-3000. If all goes well, I will try that juniper trail next weekend. One weird thing I noticed while riding is the black dirt smells like oil whats up with that?
2P want to meet up for a beer some time this week?
Last edited by tromano; 07-22-2007 at 08:57 PM.
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