Fall Hiking in the Wasatch: What's in your backyard?

Well I am planning on being at this class on Thursday, first I have to pick up my jersey and bike shorts in Lindon for the Wonder Woman bike ride Saturday, so its going to be tight getting there.


Description of class at REI: Don't wait for the snow to hit the slopes! Waterfalls, wildlife, and wildflowers - it's all right here in the Wasatch. There are over 100 trailheads and three wilderness areas within 15 minutes of the Salt Lake valley. "Not only is hiking a great overall physical workout, hiking offers psychological benefits as well. There's a feeling of relaxation, confidence, and well-being that comes after spending time walking through the woods," says Julie Kilgore with the Wasatch Mountain Club.

But where do you go, and what do you need? Since 1920, the Wasatch Mountain Club has provided a social network for outdoor enthusiasts, organizing as many as 15 hikes a week. The Wasatch Mountain Club is an outdoor recreation club for adults 18 and older. Current WMC hiking director Julie Kilgore will share tips on trails, hiking gear, and information resources to get you on your way to a successful hiking experience.

On which hikes should I participate if I’ve never hiked with the club before?

 

The Wasatch Mountain Club’s basic hike rating system (NTD for “Not Too Difficult”, MOD for “MODerate”, and MSD for “MoSt Difficult”) is based on terrain features encountered, such as elevation gain, overall mileage, steepness, and special factors such as bushwhacking, scrambling, and exposure. For an explanation of the rating system and a list of standard WMC hikes, see the hike ratings system.

If you’ve never hiked with the Wasatch Mountain Club, we recommend that you try an NTD hike. If you like to hike at a very leisurely pace, try an NTD hike that is also rated as a TURTLE hike. If you like to hike more quickly and over longer distances, try one of the Club’s MOD hikes.

If you have done a good deal of hiking in the Wasatch Mountains, but have not hiked with the WMC before, take a look at the hike ratings system. Look at hikes with which you are familiar and compare their ratings with your own assessment of their difficulty.

After hiking with the club once or twice, you’ll know how to match the Club’s hike ratings to your own preferences. 

Do I need to be a WMC member to go on a hike?

 

You do not need to be a member to join us for a few activities. If you find you are having fun, please consider joining our organization.

WMC Hiking Terms

Here is a glossary of hiking terms and abbreviations. The terms that are in all caps are used in hiking activity titles in the activity calendar and in The Rambler, the Club’s newsletter.

NTD	An easy hike ("Not Too Difficult"). Traditionally, a hike whose rating is between 0 and 4 on a WMC hike ratings system.
MOD	A moderate hike. Traditionally, a hike whose rating is between 4 and 8.
MSD	A difficult hike ("Most Difficult"). Traditionally, a hike whose rating is 8 or above.
EXT	An MSD hike with special requirements, such as an ice axe or serious exposed scrambling.
EVENING	A hike in the evening. Traditionally a weekday evening hike that leaves at 6:15 PM or 6:30 PM and returns by sunset. The weekday evening hikes often attract large groups. Although these hikes are relatively short, the pace can be vigorous.
AFTERNOON	A day hike that leaves in the afternoon. Most day hikes depart in the morning.
MOONLIGHT	A hike that finishes after dark, with help from a full moon and from flashlights or headlamps.
TURTLE	A hike with an especially relaxed and gentle pace.
DOG	Members' well-behaved dogs are permitted on the activity, with the consent of the organizer.
FAMILY	Children of members may participate in the activity with the consent of the organizer. The member must accompany their children and must sign a special waiver.
CAR CAMP	An overnight trip where you carry the camping gear in your car.
BACKPACK	An overnight trip where you carry the camping gear on your back in a pack.
Organizer	The person who organizes a particular hiking activity. The organizer determines the nature and destination of the activity, determines the meeting place and time for the activity and signs people into and checks them out of the activity.
WMC	The Wasatch Mountain Club.
Release Form	A liability waiver that everyone must read and sign before participating in a Club hiking activity -- NO EXCEPTIONS. It serves to remind hikers that hiking has inherent risks and dangers.
Register	To contact the organizer of a hiking activity to get permission to participate. Hikes may require registration for many different reasons, such as limits on group sizes or the need to assess your skills and/or your gear.
Limit	A numerical limit on the number of participants in the activity. The number normally excludes the organizer. The Forest Service, the Park Service and other agencies often have headcount limits on hiking groups in certain areas. You may be turned away from an activity or put on a wait list if the group size has reached a limit.
Exploratory	The organizer may be testing a new destination or route on this activity.
Route Finding	An off-trail hike may require searching for good routes on this activity.
Bushwhacking	An off-trail route may go through thick brush on this activity.
Scrambling	A hike that requires you to use your hands on rock for balance or security. Technical rock climbing is the province of the Mountaineering program. A hike with scrambling is by definition non-technical (class 3 or maybe class 4 at the most).
Exposure	A hike with exposure has route sections where a fall could cause serious injury or death. Avoid hikes with exposure if you have a fear of heights.