Logan is a fair-sized town and is
growing rapidly, located in the Cache Valley region of northern Utah. The
town is home to Utah State University, a state school with approximately
20,000 students. Logan offers a wealth of outdoor activities, including some
excellent hiking, mountain biking, sport climbing, kayaking, fly-fishing,
and skiing. Luckily, Logan remains relatively undiscovered, so many of these
activities can be experienced in far less crowded conditions than those
found in other, similar areas of the US.Activities
Hike the Wind Caves trail. 2.6 mile round trip, 900' elevation
gain. The trail winds up the north side of Logan Canyon, through maple
groves, to a small formation of caves and arches. Offers a beautiful view
down into the canyon as well. Trailhead is ~5 miles up US 89 into Logan
Canyon, located on the north side of the road opposite Guinavah-Malibu
Campground.
Hike the Naomi Peak trail. 5.8 mile round trip, 1980' elevation
gain. Naomi Peak (9980) is the highest point in the Bear River Range. The
trail leads through meadows full of wildflowers to the peak, which offers
spectacular views of the surrounding peaks and of the Cache Valley.
Trailhead is located at Tony Grove Lake. Take US 89 approximately 19 miles
up Logan Canyon to the Tony Grove turnoff. The lake (and trailhead) are 7
miles from US 89.
See also
Cache Trails,
an online copy of a local trail guide and
CacheTrails.org, website for
the local trail maintenance organization.
Attractions
Logan Canyon is located along US 89 northeast of Logan, Logan
Canyon is a long, scenic canyon that offers numerous hiking and camping
opportunities. Tony Grove, near the summit, is among the most popular
camping area, and marks the beginning of several trails. Beaver Mountain,
further up the canyon, is the local ski area. Logan Canyon itself is very
scenic, and offers spectacular fall colors that rival those of New England.
During winter, temperatures are excessively cold and the road may be closed
at any time due to heavy snow. Numerous sinks lie near Logan Canyon, and
these areas are popular for snowmobiling. The coldest temperature ever
recorded in Utah was in Peter's Sink, near Logan Canyon, a frigid -69F
(-56C). Cave exploring and rock-climbing are also popular activities in
Logan Canyon.
Dining
• Angies, 690 North Main - "where the locals eat" - ask about the
"kitchen sink" for dessert.
• Blue
Sage, 875 South Main (in Smithfield), (435) 563-5652 - A
southwestern bistro with some of the best food in Cache Valley, located
north along US 91 in Smithfield.
• Cafe Sabor, 600 W Center St, (435) 752-8088. Very good
Mexican/Tex-Mex restaurant. Located in a former railway station.
• Le Nonne, 132 N. Main St, (435) 752-9577. Great Italian cuisine
with a good selection of wines! This restaurant recently moved to a new
location on 100 E, just around the corner from Caffe Ibis. The new location
is a beautiful old house that has been converted into a restaurant, and
includes a tranquil, tree-shaded outdoor dining area. Highly recommended!
• Tanpopo, 55 W 1000 N. Fine Japanese food in the heart of the Cache
Valley. The Shogun platter is highly recommended.
Drink
• Caffe Ibis, 52 Federal
Ave (in downtown Logan) - Offers excellent organic, shade-grown
coffee, as well as sandwiches and wraps fresh from the deli.
• The White Owl. Located on Center St just west of Main St, has a
good selection of beers from inside and outside of Utah. During the summer
the upstairs deck offers fresh air, good company, and a view of the
Wellsville Mountains to the west.
Links
• Logan homepage
• Cache Valley Tourist Council |
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Canyon walls, Utah
Get in
Drive north on I-15 from Salt Lake City. Take exit 364 (Brigham City),
and follow US 89/91 through the mountains into Cache Valley. US 89 and 91
split in downtown Logan.
US 89 heads northeast through scenic Logan Canyon to Bear Lake, a popular
tourist destination, while US 91 heads north into Idaho. A regional airport
also serves Logan although no commercial commuter flights are available at
this time.
Get around
Driving, riding the bus, walking, and cycling are convenient ways to get
around town. Free municipal buses serve Logan and surrounding communities
with a simple route system that radiates out from the transit center every
half hour. All buses are equipped to carry two or three bicycles.
Main Street is heavily used and often congested but parallel streets
often provide faster access within Logan. Utah State University, on the east
side of town, sits on the Provo Bench of ancient Lake Bonneville, about 250
feet higher than downtown Logan. This elevation difference is a major
deterrent to non-motorized transportation.
Streets throughout the old grid part of town are wide, thanks to the
admonition of Brigham Young to lay out early Utah cities with streets wide
enough to turn an oxen-drawn wagon around, so there is plenty of room for
cyclists. |