Logan Canyon
Encyclopedia
Logan Canyon is a canyon that cuts its way through the Bear River Mountains
, a branch of the Wasatch Range
, in northeastern Utah
. The canyon is popular for both summer and winter activities, especially rock-climbing, hiking
, camping
, fishing
, snowmobiling, and skiing
, at the Beaver Mountain
ski resort. The canyon rises to an elevation of approximately 7,800 ft (2,400 m) after a vertical climb of about 2,900 feet (900 m). Just beyond the summit is a steep road leading into Bear Lake Valley and scenic overlooks that provide breathtaking views of deep blue Bear Lake
. The western terminus is at Logan
in Cache County and the eastern terminus is at Garden City
in Rich County
.
and connects the Cache
and Bear Lake
valleys.
Recent construction and proposed enhancements to the highway have been the focus of a decades-long confrontation between environmentalists and the Utah Department of Transportation
. Some of the improvements have included reconstructing the bridges, which were in poor shape, straightening the road leading to Bear Lake
, and reconstructing the Bear Lake Overlook, making it much larger and more attractive and adding basic facilities.
Tony Grove Lake
Area is situated on the Logan canyon scenic byway. A seven-mile paved road climbs to a height of 8050 feet (2454 m) to reach Tony Grove Lake and the Mount Naomi Wilderness
area. The area around this glacial lake explodes into wildflowers in the early summer.
The Logan River
runs south to southwest through most of the canyon into Cache Valley
and is a popular fishing
attraction. The river is dammed in three locations near the western mouth of the canyon.
The Beaver Mountain
ski area is located just a mile off the highway, a few miles past the midway point from Logan to Bear Lake.
Bear River Mountains
The Bear River Mountains are located in northeastern Utah and southeastern Idaho. One of the mountains' sinks recorded the lowest temperature in Utah on February 1, 1985, at , which is also the second-lowest temperature ever recorded in the contiguous United States. U.S...
, a branch of the Wasatch Range
Wasatch Range
The Wasatch Range is a mountain range that stretches approximately from the Utah-Idaho border, south through central Utah in the western United States. It is generally considered the western edge of the greater Rocky Mountains, and the eastern edge of the Great Basin region...
, in northeastern Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
. The canyon is popular for both summer and winter activities, especially rock-climbing, hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
, fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, snowmobiling, and skiing
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
, at the Beaver Mountain
Beaver Mountain
Beaver Mountain is a ski area in northern Utah, opened in 1939 and located near the summit of Logan Canyon in the Bear River Mountains. While smaller and less developed than a number of Utah ski resorts, Beaver Mountain is very popular with residents of nearby Logan, Utah State University, the...
ski resort. The canyon rises to an elevation of approximately 7,800 ft (2,400 m) after a vertical climb of about 2,900 feet (900 m). Just beyond the summit is a steep road leading into Bear Lake Valley and scenic overlooks that provide breathtaking views of deep blue Bear Lake
Bear Lake (Idaho-Utah)
Bear Lake is a natural freshwater lake on the Utah-Idaho border in the Western United States. It is the second largest natural freshwater lake in Utah and has been called the "Caribbean of the Rockies" for its unique turquoise-blue color, the result of suspended limestone deposits in the water...
. The western terminus is at Logan
Logan, Utah
-Layout of the City:Logan's city grid originates from its Main and Center Street block, with Main Street running north and south, and Center east and west. Each block north, east, south, or west of the origin accumulates in additions of 100 , though some streets have non-numeric names...
in Cache County and the eastern terminus is at Garden City
Garden City, Utah
Garden City is a town in Rich County, Utah, United States. The population was 562 at the 2010 census. Garden City sits on the shores of Bear Lake and is a popular summer resort destination town.-History:...
in Rich County
Rich County, Utah
Rich County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. The southern half of Bear Lake and the Bear Lake Valley lie on the northern edge of the county. The Bear River Valley lies in most of the eastern portion of the county. The elevation of these valleys is close to , and the rest of the county...
.
Scenic Byway
U.S. Route 89 through the canyon has been designated a National Scenic BywayNational Scenic Byway
A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for its archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and/or scenic qualities. The program was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation's scenic but often...
and connects the Cache
Cache Valley
The Cache Valley is an agricultural valley of northern Utah and southeast Idaho that includes the Logan metropolitan area. The valley was used by 19th century mountain men and was the site of the 1863 Bear River Massacre.-History:...
and Bear Lake
Bear Lake (Idaho-Utah)
Bear Lake is a natural freshwater lake on the Utah-Idaho border in the Western United States. It is the second largest natural freshwater lake in Utah and has been called the "Caribbean of the Rockies" for its unique turquoise-blue color, the result of suspended limestone deposits in the water...
valleys.
Recent construction and proposed enhancements to the highway have been the focus of a decades-long confrontation between environmentalists and the Utah Department of Transportation
Utah Department of Transportation
The Utah Department of Transportation is an agency of the state government for the U.S. state of Utah. The agency is usually referred to by its initials UDOT . UDOT is charged with maintaining the network of state highways in Utah. The agency is headquartered in the Calvin L. Rampton state office...
. Some of the improvements have included reconstructing the bridges, which were in poor shape, straightening the road leading to Bear Lake
Bear Lake (Idaho-Utah)
Bear Lake is a natural freshwater lake on the Utah-Idaho border in the Western United States. It is the second largest natural freshwater lake in Utah and has been called the "Caribbean of the Rockies" for its unique turquoise-blue color, the result of suspended limestone deposits in the water...
, and reconstructing the Bear Lake Overlook, making it much larger and more attractive and adding basic facilities.
Attractions
Among the most famous hiking trails is the treacherous Crimson Trail. It begins at Spring Hollow Campground and ends at Guinivah Campground and is noted for its amazing views, including the 'China Wall' formation. Another highly popular trail is the Wind Caves Trail, which leads to the Wind Caves, a formation of 3 arches in the weathered limestone bedrock, and from which an excellent view of the China Wall can be found.Tony Grove Lake
Tony Grove Lake
Tony Grove Lake is an area situated on the Logan Canyon Scenic Byway. A seven-mile paved road climbs to a height of to reach Tony Grove Lake and the Mount Naomi Wilderness area....
Area is situated on the Logan canyon scenic byway. A seven-mile paved road climbs to a height of 8050 feet (2454 m) to reach Tony Grove Lake and the Mount Naomi Wilderness
Mount Naomi Wilderness
Mount Naomi Wilderness is a wilderness area located within the Wasatch-Cache National Forest in the U.S. state of Utah. It lies between the Logan River and the Utah-Idaho state line northeast of Logan, Utah.-Topography:...
area. The area around this glacial lake explodes into wildflowers in the early summer.
The Logan River
Logan River (Utah)
The Logan River is a tributary of the Little Bear River in Utah, the United States. It is currently being studied to determine whether it is suitable for National Wild and Scenic Rivers designation.- Course :...
runs south to southwest through most of the canyon into Cache Valley
Cache Valley
The Cache Valley is an agricultural valley of northern Utah and southeast Idaho that includes the Logan metropolitan area. The valley was used by 19th century mountain men and was the site of the 1863 Bear River Massacre.-History:...
and is a popular fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
attraction. The river is dammed in three locations near the western mouth of the canyon.
The Beaver Mountain
Beaver Mountain
Beaver Mountain is a ski area in northern Utah, opened in 1939 and located near the summit of Logan Canyon in the Bear River Mountains. While smaller and less developed than a number of Utah ski resorts, Beaver Mountain is very popular with residents of nearby Logan, Utah State University, the...
ski area is located just a mile off the highway, a few miles past the midway point from Logan to Bear Lake.
External links
- Utah Scenic Byways by Utah office of Tourism
- Logan Canyon Scenic Byway by U.S. Department of Transportation National Scenic Byways Program
- Logan River Trail by trailbrain.com