COLUMN: Testing your body’s fitness
The first hike of the year is always a hike that creates your awareness of either how in-shape you are, or how breathlessly out of shape you have become over a beautiful, relaxing summer. My job is to introduce all of you to the hikes, climbs, camping areas and other fun places around our lovely university, so everyone can enjoy the outdoor activities that tend to be free — What’s better than that?
First off, I’d like to remind you all that the ORP (Outdoor Recreation Program) has given a $20 credit to each full-time student, which makes camping, climbing and other outdoor activities a little bit easier for those who do not have the proper gear. The ORP is located just East of the Romney Stadium.
My first hike of the year was the River and Crimson Trail combined. Only two weeks into the semester, most students have a little bit of extra time on their hands, which this trail needs.
Starting just past the mouth of Logan Canyon, on the Nature Center Trail, the River Trail is the point of origin. This trail is fairly easy, with minor hills as you progress into the greener part. Soon you’ll come upon a camping area – continue east. (This is vital information because in my own experience Monday, I turned and ended up strolling along with the cars on Highway 89). You will enter another woodsy area that will eventually transition into another camping ground. This will be the Third Dam. Yes, you have walked 4.2 miles by now. If you are tired, you might be better off turning around now. The hard part is still ahead of you.
Walk until you see the main road of Third Dam and take that road to the very top, sticking more toward the left of the road. You will get to the trailhead and almost immediately there will come a fork — stay to the left. You can continue straight, but I haven’t discovered where that goes just yet, so good luck!
This is the beginning of the Crimson Trail. The Crimson Trail is fairly steep on both the uphill and the downhill. I found myself having to run down the hills on the other side because the loose rocks and dirt will love pulling your feet out from under you. This hike is only about two miles from one side to the other, but it will seem like you’ve been walking for ages.
Once you reach the top and sit on the flat rocks, though, the viewing experience is phenomenal. You can see from the valley all the way to Beaver Mountain. In the upcoming fall season, the trees are starting to change from green to the beautiful reds, oranges, yellows and browns that our lovely Utah weather provides. I would suggest packing a lunch, at least two bottles of water (per person), and a significant other or best friend to experience this hike with you.
When you start heading back down, the forestry becomes thick, and the flies and fleas will love the sweat that’s dripping from your nose and ears. When you get back to your car, I hope your legs and body feel as accomplished as mine did, after hiking over 10 miles on the first hike of the school year.
Notes:
1. Information about the hikes was found on http://www.go-utah.com/Logan/Hiking/. I highly recommend this site to everyone interested in new or old trails around the Logan area.
2. If you want to hike only the Crimson Trail, you can park at the first campground past Third Dam and begin at the Crimson Trailhead just up the road.
— Allyn Bernkopf is a senior at USU majoring in English with an emphasis in creative writing. She writes, reads and hangs out with Mother Nature. She can be reached at ally.bernkopf@aggiemail.usu.edu.