Provo, Utah - May 2 & 3, 2007 (Re-run)

 Provo is one of several cities positioned alongside the Wasatch Mountains, referred to as the Wasatch front.  Not only are there great views of the mountains, particularly Mt. Timpanogos (11,700 feet elevation), Utah Lake bounds Provo on the west.  The city has a population just over 115,000, making it the fourth largest city in Utah.  More than 85% of the population is Mormon, justifying two Mormon Temples.  Brigham Young University is also located here.

On this trip, we only stopped in Provo for a short two day visit, having spent time here before.  There would also be additional visits in the future.  Our primary activities this time were touring Provo Canyon and exploring Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons north of town.  Provo Canyon has several nice waterfalls, we checked out Bridal Veil and Stewart Falls.

From the top of Kyve Mountain (formerly named Squaw Peak), there are great views of nearby mountains, as well as the city and lake below.

One of the most spectacular locations in Provo Canyon is the Sundance Resort, developed for skiing in 1944, then acquired by Robert Redford in 1968 for the creation of the Sundance Film Festival and Sundance Institute.  The entire resort is some 5000 acres on the slopes of Mt. Timpanogos.

Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons were created by glaciers in the last ice age.  These days, they offer a multitude of recreational activities in both winter and summer.  Each canyon has two ski resorts, numerous lakes and plenty of hiking trails.  Summer wildflowers and wildlife also attract many visitors.

Here are a few more mountain views taken from Provo on a somewhat foggy day.