Not Just Your Normal Walk
You see them all the time. Come evening, the sun sets over these beautiful mountains. Vehicles pass by them on their way from Logan to Salt Lake. The Wellsville Mountains, rising to a peak elevation of 9,372 feet, are quite the sight from our windows, but have you ever thought about catching the view at the top of them?
Graduate student Richard Datwyler shared his insights into hiking these mountains. There are three main hikes to take to the top, he said, and they vary in difficulty and time needed to complete each one. These mountains have a lot to offer, including hiking, backpacking, wildlife viewing and, in places, horseback riding, camping and bicycling.
The trail headed at the north end of the valley is the easiest hike to handle, and it is also the longest. Hikers should plan on at least four or five hours. On the south side of the mountains, there is another trailhead that will lead you on a two-and-a-half- to three-hour hike. The shortest and steepest of the three is located in the middle of the valley. Anyone up for a not-just-your-normal-walk type of hike, Richard suggests this one – about an hour and a half to two hours long.
Anyone who is looking for a fun way to get some exercise and a great view of Cache Valley, can try one of the Wellsville hikes.
Because there is very little vegetation, the view of Cache Valley from the top is unobstructed by trees. But, come mid-morning and early afternoon, the sun gets very hot, so it is suggested to take along plenty of water. Richard suggests going in the evening so you don’t bake. Or, even better, he suggested going in the spring when there is some snow still left on the ground and you can sort of slide down the mountain.
Besides, as Richard said, “You can’t consider yourself a Cache Valley citizen until you have seen the valley from the top of the Wellsville Mountains.”
For exact locations of the trailheads or any info on these mountains, call the Logan Ranger District at (801) 755-3620.
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