Beautiful desert hikes in Logan

Logan isn’t explored enough. 

Every summer I hike the four mile Wind Cave Trail until I know it better than I know myself, ignoring the other canyon hikes and trails Logan has to offer. I decided this summer would be different. I’m officially ignoring the classic wind cave hike and opting for newer and more exciting trails. 

To start off my summer adventure, I explored the Logan River Trail. The sandy dirt trail is a popular one that starts near First Dam and follows the river most of the way. I’m not going to lie, it’s not much of a hike. While the trail is nearly six miles long, it’s not difficult. Walking to the sound of the river rapidly flowing downstream was tranquil. The soft pockets of moss on the rocky mountain side were a dull green I hadn’t ever seen before. The more I looked around me, the more alive I felt.

Right across from the Logan River Trail is the Highline Trail. To get to the path, I crossed the street and went under the overpass, where loose rocks replace the usually sandy trail. At first the trail is uphill, but once you’ve reached the top, everything levels out. For all my runners out there, this is the trail to go running on. Sure, the first little bit is a rough uphill climb, but the views from the mountainside are incredible. Wildflowers grow all along the trail and butterflies flutter along the sagebrush, gliding in the warm summer air. 

Emily White

A view of Logan Canyon from the Highline Trail.

The hardest trail on this list is the Crimson Trail. It’s across from the wind caves, and I think it’s pretty similar. The trail is a little steeper and longer than the wind caves hike. The trail forms a giant loop around the mountain. It took me two and a half hours to do the whole hike, which is nearly five miles long. There are some amazing views overlooking the canyon road and mountains blanketed in lush pine.

If you want to see some sick waterfalls, go on the Providence Canyon Trail. It’s a six mile hike, and it’s an actual hike. The trail is to the right of the parking lot, so don’t take the trail to the left. You hike up the mountain for about three miles to reach the waterfalls. Yes, you heard right. Waterfalls. Plural. As in, multiple streams of water falling from ridged cliffs. Needless to say, the uphill hike is worth it. 

Next up on my list was another trail along Logan River: Rendezvous Park. This was less of a hiking trail and more of a walking park. The park isn’t in a canyon, it’s in between canyons, and just barely in the valley. The Logan River is more of a stream at the park, but it’s beautiful. Rendezvous Park is the perfect place to go for pondering and contemplation. There’s a bridge that overlooks the park’s trees – it’s my favorite lookout point. As the stream flows beneath the bridge and singing birds dodge tree branches, it’s undeniable: Logan is breathtaking.  

All my life I’ve openly talked about how dry Utah is. It’s not green here, it’s brown. I have never loved living in Utah, and even when I moved to Logan for school, I constantly talked about how much I needed to get out of the desert. But upon further examination and exploration, I’ve discovered that even a dry desert (like Logan) can be beautiful. I’m still not crazy about sagebrush, but the wild trees and flowers that grow in the Cache canyons are so unique and bright. Even a desert can be beautiful. But maybe I’m just high off of vitamin D and good exercise.

Emily White is a junior studying English and print journalism. She is currently serving as the senior writer for the Lifestyles section of the Statesman.

—emily.white@usu.edu