Logan Canyon
 | This article includes a list of generalreferences,butit lacks sufficient correspondinginline citations.(March 2022) |
| Logan Canyon | |
|---|---|
 Logan Canyon Scenic Byway in 2012 | |
| Elevation | 7,828 ft (2,386 m) |
| Traversed by |  US 89 |
| Location | Cache County, Utah Rich County, Utah |
| Range | Bear River Mountains |
| Coordinates | 41°55′32″N111°28′24″W/ 41.92556°N 111.47333°W |
  Location inUtah  Location in the United States | |
Logan Canyonis a canyon in thewestern United Statesin northeasternUtah,which cuts its way through theBear River Mountains,a branch of theWasatch Range.It is popular for both summer and winter activities, especiallyrock-climbing,hiking,camping,fishing,snowmobiling,andskiing,at theBeaver Mountainski resort. The canyon rises to an elevation of approximately 7,800 feet (2,400 m) abovesea level,after a vertical climb of about 2,900 feet (880 m). Just beyond the summit is a steep road leading into Bear Lake Valley and scenic overlooks that provide views of deep blueBear Lake.The western terminus is atLoganinCache Countyand the eastern terminus is atGarden CityinRich County.
Scenic Byway
[edit]U.S. Route 89through the canyon has been designated aNational Scenic Bywayand connects theCacheandBear Lakevalleys.[1]
Recent construction and proposed enhancements to thehighwayhave been the focus of a decades-long confrontation betweenenvironmentalistsand theUtah Department of Transportation.Some of the improvements have included reconstructing the bridges, which were in poor shape, straightening the road leading toBear Lake,and reconstructing the Bear Lake Overlook, making it much larger and more attractive and adding basic facilities. The highway is the site of many serious and even fatal traffic accidents given the winding nature of the canyon, the drastic elevation changes, and the poor driving conditions encountered during winter weather.[2]
Attractions
[edit]At the mouth of Logan Canyon along the River Trail is the Allen and Alice Stokes Nature Center, a local nonprofit and free nature center, and official educational permittee of theUinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.[3]They offer workshops, hikes, and classes which vary by season.
Among the most popular hiking trails is the treacherousCrimson Trail.[4]It begins at Spring Hollow Campground and ends at Guinivah Campground and is noted for its views, including the 'China Wall' formation. Another popular trail is the Wind Cave trail, which leads to the Wind Caves, a formation of 3 arches in the weathered limestone bedrock, and from which there are views of the China Wall.[5]
Tony Grove Lakeis situated on the Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway. A seven-mile paved road climbs to a height of 8050 feet (2454 m) to reach Tony Grove Lake and theMount Naomi Wildernessarea. The area around the lake hosts a day-use picnic area and a campground managed by the United States Forest Service.[6]
TheLogan Riverruns south to southwest through most of the canyon intoCache Valleyand is popular forfishing.The river is dammed in three locations near the western mouth of the canyon.
TheBeaver Mountainski area is located just a mile off the highway, a few miles past the midway point from Logan to Bear Lake.
Climate
[edit]The Garden City Summit weather station is located near the Bear Lake Overlook, at the eastern end of Logan Canyon.
| Climate data for Garden City Summit, Utah, 2010–2020 normals: 7705ft (2348m) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 33.1 (0.6) |
34.3 (1.3) |
43.0 (6.1) |
47.8 (8.8) |
55.5 (13.1) |
67.9 (19.9) |
76.4 (24.7) |
75.1 (23.9) |
65.9 (18.8) |
51.5 (10.8) |
39.5 (4.2) |
31.0 (−0.6) |
51.8 (11.0) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 22.8 (−5.1) |
23.4 (−4.8) |
31.3 (−0.4) |
36.3 (2.4) |
43.8 (6.6) |
53.3 (11.8) |
61.0 (16.1) |
59.8 (15.4) |
51.9 (11.1) |
40.3 (4.6) |
29.5 (−1.4) |
21.2 (−6.0) |
39.6 (4.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 12.6 (−10.8) |
12.5 (−10.8) |
19.6 (−6.9) |
24.7 (−4.1) |
32.2 (0.1) |
38.7 (3.7) |
45.7 (7.6) |
44.4 (6.9) |
37.8 (3.2) |
29.1 (−1.6) |
19.6 (−6.9) |
11.4 (−11.4) |
27.4 (−2.6) |
| Averageprecipitationinches (mm) | 3.42 (87) |
3.17 (81) |
3.14 (80) |
2.65 (67) |
2.79 (71) |
1.68 (43) |
0.76 (19) |
1.07 (27) |
1.70 (43) |
2.55 (65) |
3.05 (77) |
4.29 (109) |
30.27 (769) |
| Source 1: XMACIS2[7] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: NOAA (Precipitation)[8] | |||||||||||||
References
[edit]- ^"Utah Scenic Byways Guide"(PDF).Utah Office of Tourism, Film and Global Branding. 2017.RetrievedApril 29,2023.
- ^ Safety of Logan Canyon.Utah State University Digital History Collections(Report). Sierra Club, Utah Chapter Archives. 1972–1986. p. 148, Series VIII, Box 27, Folder 9.
- ^"Stokes Nature Center".logannature.org.
- ^"Best Trails in Logan".alltrails.
- ^"Wind Cave".utah.Retrieved2022-07-19.
- ^"Tony Grove Day Use Area".US Department of Agriculture.
- ^ "xmACIS2".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedNovember 17,2023.
- ^ "Garden City Summit, Utah 1991-2020 Monthly Normals".RetrievedNovember 17,2023.
External links
[edit]
- Utah Scenic Bywaysby Utah office of Tourism
- Logan Canyon Scenic BywaybyU.S. Department of TransportationNational Scenic Byways Program (archived 2013)
- A series of interviews about Logan Canyon from the Logan Canyon Reflections Digital Collection:Utah State University
- Stokes Nature Center official website