One of the biggest complaints from recovering addicts, in their new-found sobriety, is boredom. Before recovery when they were bored or had nothing to do, they would get high or drunk, they would go to a bar, concerts, raves, or any other gathering where they could use or find their substance of choice. In treatment patients regard these places and associated people as triggers. Those who were addicted to ecstasy may no longer be able to go to rave concerts or even clubs. Alcoholics find it difficult to go to bars without craving a drink. With so many activities and locations unavailable to recovering addicts they may feel like they cannot leave their home without craving their substance. While triggers and stressors are everywhere, through treatment you will learn how to notice and deal with these without your substance but you will also learn new things about your surroundings and new activities you may have never thought of before. Here are just a few spring activities to go out and enjoy this season that you don’t need any substances to appreciate.
Hiking: Utah has some of the most scenic mountains around, so why not enjoy it? Try one of these outdoor elevated hikes that are sure to make your spring more enjoyable. To find a list of all these hikes and more please click here.
Easy Utah Hikes:
Donut Falls Trail: This hike is about 3.5 miles out and back. The trailhead is located in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Drive 9 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon to the Mill D Trailhead. Take a right towards the Jordan Pines picnic area. You’ll pass private summer homes on your way to the trailhead parking lot. Follow the signs to Donut Falls. Cecret Lake Trail:This hike is about 1.5 miles round trip. Depending on parking you may have to start at the Albion Meadows Trail. Albion Basin Campground (40.57639, -111.61278): The trail starts at the west side of the Albion Basin Campground, at the top of the Little Cottonwood Canyon Road. It is well-marked and easy to find. Cecret Lake (40.5713401, -111.6215889): The trail runs west from the campground. It climbs a gentle slope, with about 300 feet of elevation gain. Along the way there are interpretive signs with information about the basin, its plants, animals and geology. From the lake you can return the way you came, or explore the area. Swimming is not permitted in the lake. Silver Lake Trail: This hike is about three-fourths of a mile round trip. Easy stroll around a beautiful lake at Brighton Ski Resort, at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon. From the trailhead parking, a boardwalk extends out into a meadow and then along the lake shoreline. On the far side of the lake the path becomes dirt but is well-maintained and easy to follow. Trail forks lead to other nearby lakes. Silver Lake Trailhead: (40.60361, -111.58472).
Moderate Hikes in Utah:
The Living Room Trail: This hike is about 4 miles round trip. The trailhead is near the Natural History Museum of Utah, just off the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Head up towards the mouth of Georges Hollow, and stay to the right. The trail will then take you to the left, up to a viewpoint at Finger Rock. Continue on the trail and you’ll eventually end up at the stacked stones that make for a luxurious hiking destination. The Living Room Trailhead: (40.76065, -111.818817). The Living Room: (40.762673, -111.816285). Bells Canyon Trail: This hike is about 4 miles round trip. This hike runs up Bell Canyon, past a scenic reservoir, and up to a waterfall, with views of the Salt Lake Valley.The canyon is located on the east side of the valley, above Sandy, just off of Wasatch Blvd. Wildlife is commonly seen along this trail, including mountain goats in rocky areas.Trailhead: (40.5649, -111.804). The trailhead is located at about 10245 South on Wasatch Blvd. It is clearly signed. The trail runs east up the mountain, initially following a dirt road. Bell Canyon Reservoir: (40.5653, -111.797). Bell Canyon Reservoir is about 1/2 mile above the trailhead. It’s a great place to take a break, enjoy a snack and soak in the natural beauty. The trail is easy to this point. Some choose to turn around here, avoiding the more strenuous hike up the canyon to the waterfall. First Waterfall: (40.5616, -111.771). The stream here flows over a series of waterfalls. The first is the most impressive, and the destination of our recommended hike. The trail becomes considerably more strenuous as you proceed beyond that point. Upper Bell Canyon Reservoir: (40.5404, -111.749). Another reservoir exists along the stream above the first waterfall. It is a great destination for those seeking a strenuous hike. Bonneville Shoreline Hike: This hike is about 10 miles. This trail follows what was the shoreline of ancient Lake Bonneville. Various sections of the trail run from Ogden down to Payson. This is the section near downtown Salt Lake City, from City Creek around and above the Avenues and down Dry Gulch to the trailhead. You’ll encounter steep climbs but nothing too technical along this route.The trail is mostly singletrack but you will transverse some double-track, as various other trails cross or merge with the Shoreline Trail. City Creek Trailhead: (40.79, -111.87944). The City Creek trailhead is in the bottom of City Creek Canyon, at the top of Bonneville Boulevard. Our recommended ride follows the trail for about 7 miles as it loops up into the foothills. It intersects with the Bobsled Trail, which is a very steep chute that takes you straight down into the city. Dry Gulch Trailhead: (40.777633, -111.837083). After crossing a couple more washes the route descends Dry Gulch to the trailhead, which is located above Federal Point Drive (an extension of 11th Ave). You can have a shuttle waiting there or ride city streets back to City Creek. Bobsled Trail: (40.797637, -111.853691). Alternately, you can take a fast ride down the Bobsled Trail into the city.
Difficult Hikes:
Red Pine Lake Trail: This hike is about 6.5 miles out and back. Lower & Upper Red Pine Lakes are classic high alpine hikes in Salt Lake City’s Wasatch Front. The trailhead is the White Pine Trailhead 5.5 miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon. The hikes are steep. White Pine Trailhead: (40.5756, -111.681). The parking area for the White Pine Trailhead is about 5.5 miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon, just below Snowbird. It is signed and easy to find. From the trailhead, the trail follows an old four-wheel-drive track southwest into White Pine Canyon. There a signed fork in the trail leads out of the canyon and up to Lower Red Pine Lake. Lower Red Pine Lake: (40.5432836, -111.6932599). The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow up to Lower Red Pine. The lake is set in a rocky alpine cirque. Upper Red Pine Lake: (40.5393, -111.688). To reach the upper lake, hike up the stream that flows into Lower Red Pine. There is no maintained trail, but a hiker-made trail follows the stream and it’s easy to follow. White Pine Lake: (40.5427284, -111.67937). White Pine Lake is another popular hiking destination from the same trailhead. Mount Van Cott Trail: This hike is about 2 miles up and back. This trail is a upshot of the Bonneville Shoreline trail of Salt Lake City’s foothills. The trail is a bit strenuous and takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach the summit even though it is only about 1 mile. Avoid this trail in the middle of the summer in the middle of the day–you’ll overheat very quickly. Trailhead: (40.774487, -111.838761). Mount Olympus Trail: This hike is about 7.5 miles up and back. Mount Olympus is a 9,026 feet peak on the east side of the Salt Lake Valley. The top of the mountain is a federally protected wilderness area. The trail is wide and easy to follow, but darn steep. It gains some 4,100 feet over the course of 3.75 miles. Never fear, this is a great hike and virtually anyone can do it if they just take it slow and steady. Trailhead: (40.6527, -111.806).The trailhead is located on the east side of Wasatch Boulevard. From 4500 south, drive south on Wasatch Boulevard for about 1.6 miles to the parking area. A sign identifies the parking lot as the Mount Olympus Trailhead.
Other Sober Outdoor Activities in Utah
Fishing: Utah is full of lakes, rivers, and creeks which all have different kinds of fishes. As long as you have a license you can go out and see if you can catch some for yourself. Here is a few spots where you’ll be more likely to catch a fish or two. Starvation Reservoir, Rockport Reservoir, East Canyon Reservoir, Farmington Pond, Kaysville Ponds, and many others. For more information and current reports on fishing in Utah, click here. Horseback Riding: With all the trails and scenic views, horseback riding in Utah is always a fun time. You can take guided tours and see Utah in a new way. We are in the wild west after all. To learn more about horseback riding in Utah, click here. World’s Longest Continuous Zip Line: If you don’t mind climbing a few hundred stairs, enjoy having a unique view of your surroundings, and a little bit of a thrill seeker, then this may just be for you. Check out the world’s longest continuous zip line that also goes over Rainbow Bay. They have different zip line courses as well if you don’t feel up to climbing so many stairs. For more information about the Zipline Utah, click here . Provo Rope Course: Challenge yourself with this adventurous activity. Bring your friends and family and work on things like problem solving, leadership, communication, conflict resolution, group cooperation, trust, teamwork and self confidence with initiative games, low ropes, and high ropes course activities. For more information, click here.
