The Likeable Logan By Roxanne Megorden Northern Utah has unbelievable recreation opportunities yet to be discovered or overrun by crowds. However, some areas are rapidly becoming known for certain types of activities. For instance, maybe you've heard of Bear Lake and it's awesome water sports in the summer or snowmobiling in the winter. And maybe you've heard about camping and hiking in Logan Canyon. But, more than likely, you haven't heard much about other outdoor activities in either of these spots. You can find some really cool nooks and crannies in and around Bear Lake and Logan Canyon if you know where to look. Knowing where to go and what to do in these areas will take you away from the masses doing typical, non-adventurous activities. Don't forget the camera!  Logan Canyon p: Monique Beeley
Bloomington Lake is now just a short jaunt past colorful mountain wildflowers blanketing the ground. When you round the corner, you won't believe it, but you've found the perfect setting that any professional photographer seeks. A glacier-fed lake rests quietly among a few waterfalls, surrounded by limestone cliffs and scree.
Logan Canyon is the next destination where you'll find two more high alpine lakes, each with their own stunning beauty. Take Highway 89 from Logan or Bear Lake, and look for the Tony Grove Lake trail sign onto a paved road. Follow this about seven miles to the large parking lot with restrooms located by Tony Grove Lake. This is a very popular summer spot with locals and visitors alike and you'll most likely see many other folks wandering around taking pictures. Find the extended network of obvious multi-use trails that will lead you deep into the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, away from civilization, chaos and crowds.
White Pine Lake trail will lead you three miles (one way) through numerous wild flowers to Mount Gog and Mount Magog, and into White Pine Basin. On a mountain bike, the first half of the trail is relatively moderate to maneuver but gets more technical and difficult. There are very rocky sections that are tricky to ride over and through. Don't be surprised if you find yourself dismounting to walk through the harder, steeper parts! It's no stigma to push, all mountain bikers hike-a-bike sometime in their career. Except maybe if you're Jim and Michelle Clonts from Joyride! Bikes in Logan, you'd be riding your single-speed hardtail like it was a 4x4 effortlessly powering over any obstacle!
After your adrenaline-filled trek to White Pine Lake, Mount Gog and Mount Magog hover above at 9,700 feet, making it a rewarding sight to behold. After all, you are less than a mile away from the Mount Naomi Wilderness boundary, where human impact is nearly non-existent. In August, the lake is refreshing for a quick wade up to your knees. Ever see a horse swim? White Pine Lake is the local horsemen's spot to do just that!
The last adventure is technical rock climbing on sheer limestone in Logan Canyon on a route called Babelishes. It is easily accessed from Highway 89, even though there are no signs or markers to direct you. You really have to know where to go! It's best to enlist a rock climbing guide in town who knows exactly where the route is located; there are so many climbs in Logan Canyon, one could spend a lifetime trying to find them, much less climb them all.
The Babelishes route is bolted and anchored. The climb is a part of the Betagraph area where nine other sport routes exist. From Logan, look for a turnout on your left just before a bridge, or about 0.6 mile up from mile marker 385. Park there, walk across the bridge to the end, climb over the guardrail on your left and follow the trail through the bushes and trees up to the rock walls.
This is a classic climb, rated at 5.10 or moderate difficulty, and has great views once you reach the top. It is vertical with one slight overhanging face, has good pockets and a decent crack on the right side to grasp, but in general there are areas for rests along the way. Plenty of shade exists at the bottom in the trees, so you won't be exhausted from too much sun exposure.
All of these activities are within an hour driving time of each other. Not bad: a choice of hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing in some awesome areas that are unspoiled. For more information, contact Bear Lake CVB, Info-now! code SEI , 800-448-BEAR or contact Cache Valley Tourism, Info-now! code CACH or 800-882-4433.
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