Ogden Valley - A Sweet Surprise
I'm taking a break from the heavy life story. I want to tell you about a new discovery that came in the form of a Christmas present from my husband, Steven.
Steven got me a night at a bed and breakfast, the Snowberry Inn, and a day of cross country skiing, in Eden, Utah.
As we rounded the meandering curves of the mellow Odgen canyon road, I was warmed by the flickering yellow lights from the cozy creek side homes and businesses.
It wasn't many miles before we reached the straight, concrete dam, the cause of the quaint three fingered reservoir that looked like a blank flat mass in the dark.
The captivating decor of the rustic log cabin spoke to my soul. The outdated skis, the bleached out horns on the bullhead etched with a cowboy scene, the skewed lines of chinking in natural stained logs, all told stories of history, roots, and adventure.
I was immediately drawn to the free map from the cabinet holding several advertisements disguised as information. I unfolded the three foot by two foot map and laid it on the denim duvet cover on our bed and beheld the expanse of outdoor opportunity.
"They have three ski resorts here, Steven! ...and a lake...and hiking trails...and....and....look at all the cross country skiing." My mind exploded with possibilities. Was this valley I'd heard so little of, a contender for the outdoor enthusiast capitol of Utah?
"Look at the these hiking trails! and Bike lanes? ...and ...is there a campground in the middle of town? What is this place?"
We huddled under the covers as it was a bit chilly still. The inn owner must have been delinquent in turning on the heat for the day and those large logs were wont to give up their cool temperatures.
I spread the map between us under the covers and started calculating our ski plan for the morning. "I want to do two smaller loops, one at each of the two cross country areas." I told a softly snoring Steven.
"Hey!" I hit him on the shoulder, "where do you want to go first?"
He struggled to open his eyes. "Wha..?" He looked at the map on the sheets. "Oh, where do you want to go?" and turned back to his slumber.
"Let's do North Fork Park first. It's run by a nordic organisation, its probably really good." I didn't wait for his reply. "Then Snow Basin. They are free and it looks nice. I wonder how big that one is..."
I chattered until I could no longer wake Steven then I folded up the map, rolled out of bed and brushed my teeth. I could hardly wait to see what these new areas looked like. ...a quiet rural tract overflowing with successful and affordable outdoor activities? I was amazed at the concept.
We got up around eight, enjoyed our bed and breakfast style fare...a personal size dish with cream eggs and hashbrowns, fresh berries, thick bacon cooked not too crispy, and gluten free toast washed down with four teeny juice glasses of legit hand squeezed orange juice and one hot chocolate. I couldn't think of a better way to start off our adventure.
We packed up our gear and headed to North Fork Park. I stretched out my neck to take in as much of this new valley as I could. The rolling snow covered hills. The small farms and occasional giant newer estates, they all oozed with character, pumping me full of enthusiasm for my upcoming glide among the oaks.
When we arrived at North Fork Park, we were amused by the unforeseen crowd. It was their annual Nordic Festival. Volunteer parking attendants motioned us through the three bulbed parking lot and squeezed us in between a Subaru and a small SUV, both with ski racks and owners in neon and black leotards.
We got out of our car, Steven wearing his off brand Tevas and I in my skinny jeans and tennis shoes, we felt a bit out of place.
We poked around the small event cluster and ducked into the yurt hoping to find information on a quiet trail. The Yurt was full of equipment renters and volunteers.
We managed to catch the attention of one of the helpful volunteers and got the info we needed. We immediately returned to our car and drove off in the direction of the "Environmental Center." Where we were told there would be only a few skiers and a nice loop.
Upon arrival at the Environmental Center, we were a bit confused as it shared a parking lot with an LDS church camp and the only outlet was a "service road only." We put on our skis and headed up the service road. We passed several signs "Zions Camp, Nauvoo, Wasatch.." it was a quiet little place and we chatted about what girls camp must be like there.
About three quarters of a mile up the road we found the Environmental Center. It was obviously no longer owned by the LDS church. Trail names turned from religious to natural "butterfly trail" style names.
We skied the short loop and returned to the parking lot, never seeing anything but the lone track of a single skate skier that had taken the loop some time before us.
"Well that was fun. I'm so glad we got to experience North Fork Park!" I exclaimed to Steven.
"And we left the crowd back at the main gate." he replied.
"Lets drive around the lake to get to Snow Basin. I have to see this valley." I directed.
We continued winding past small hobby farms, old country homes, and seventies style split level residences. "This would be the perfect place for a family cabin." I told Steven. "It has activites for all seasons. Water and hiking and biking for spring, summer and fall; and downhill and nordic skiing, as well as snowshoeing for winter. Let's see what they have for services."
"There's a Subway." I craned my neck to see what else was in the miniature shopping center with the sandwich shop. "A bank, a dentist...not bad."
We wound farther around the lake. "Another Subway...and maybe that's a little cafe, I can't tell."
We left the valley area and drove up what I affectionately named the "Hells Backbone of the Ogden Valley" toward Snow Basin. It was only a quick fifteen or so miles to the resort. Once again, there were event signs posted and parking attendants, people everywhere.
"We're going to have to park on the road," said Steven.
After accosting two parking attendants we finally came to what seemed to be a full parking lot. However, they must save some spaces for us self propelled types because when we rolled down our window and asked the third parking attendant where the Nordic center was, he said "Right here, go around the loop one more time and I'll park you right there."
I need to cut this short as it is getting late. I will summarize that the skiing at Snow Basin was scenic, groomed, uncrowded except we could have done without so many dog tracks but it didnt' slow us down, and it was all free. We were in wonder and amazement that the resort would groom the trails so well and let us and the snowshoers, and the walkers and the sledders and pretty much anyone use the area...for free. It was truly a valuable discovery.
For Apres skiing, we drove in to Huntsville, a darling town with actual blocks and a small city park with a makeshift ice rink.
We enjoyed the two piece meat plate at a barbecue place in the middle of a quaint shopping square, all decked out in wood and newly built old west style. I was in love.
I have to stop writing now, I will end with the statement that I have got to get back to Ogden Valley in summer and see what it's like then. I am enamored with its winter season.
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