Utah Lighthouses

 Utah is a landlocked state, so we don’t really have a need for Lighthouses, be that as it may, we actually have a few! None of which are functional (that I am aware of) and only 3 that I am aware of that are on an actual body of water. This is another random interest of mine since visiting the coast. Lighthouses are neat. I was a little surprised to learn we had a few in our landlocked state.

This will be a quick stub article covering the ones that I have seen so far.

The Cedar City Lighthouse AKA Providence Lighthouse.

The most lighthousey of lighthouses I have found so far is down in Cedar City. I only have the one Passenger Seat Photography shot of it from back in 2015.

The 88 foot tall structure was built in 2000 as part of the Providence Center shopping development. At the time of construction is was promoted as the tallest inland lighthouse in the United States.. It was designed to catch peoples eyes, and never meant to guide ships. However it sure has inspired a whole host of urban legend!

Bear Lake Light Houses. The only lighthouses I have found that are actually on a body of water. 

Bear lake is the 2nd largest freshwater lake in Utah, after Utah Lake. I have heard there are 3 lighthouses, but so far I have only found 2. Supposedly 2 of them actually provide lighthouse service? But I highly doubt that.

The Sunrise Resort Event Center.

Again, just decorative, but still pretty neat. From our 2019 adventure. This is smack dab in the middle of Garden City, attached to a big hotel.

Can't Find the Name Lighthouse:

(PSP Shot) This is on the main road somewhere north of Garden City. It appears to be part of a private residence. Also from the 2019 adventure. It looks pretty lighthousey. 

Lighthouse Point

Image from google maps. This is on the south end of Garden City.

We have not seen this one in person yet, but next time I am up there I am definitely making it a point to see it! It is the 2nd most lighthousey lighthouse in Utah.

Bear Lake Aquatics Base

The Bear Lake Aquatics Base is a 25 foot lighthouse located on the east side of the lake. We have not seen this one ourselves yet either, but I found a google image.

Purely Decorative Lighthouses:

Lifehouse Performing Arts

This performing arts group found a cute way of integrating a pretty neat looking lighthouse into their building (PSP). We saw it randomly on our trip to Salem Lake.  Just off of Utah 198.

Lighthouse in the Desert

A fun lighthouse monument in Spanish Fork. Also one we have yet to see ourselves, but is now on my list. Another photo I found on google.

Hogle Zoo Lighthouse

Fun little lighthouse in the Lighthouse Point Splash Zone. Its just a cute decorative slide.

Just Cute Art

The Lighthouse Lounge Sign.

A cute neon sign on Ogden’s 25th Street for the Lighthouse Lounge.

Alright, well, that is all of the lighthouses I have found in Utah so far. I will come back and add to the list if I should happen across anymore. Please let me know if there are any that I have missed.

Scenic Drive: Little Cottonwood Canyon

 Little Cottonwood Canyon is a beautiful canyon located in Sandy. It features a large creek, some lovely hiking trails, waterfalls, wildflowers, wildlife and 2 ski areas, and some lovely aspen forests to enjoy. We tend to spend a lot of time up this canyon every year. Today we had a little bit of extra time after our hike so I figured what the heck lets see what the canyon offers today.

Note: I decided to add reference pictures to some of the trails I mention and link to. If the picture is slightly smaller, it is from that trail, rather than todays drive.

Scenic Drive Details:

Length: About 17 miles out and back. Plus an extra ~4 to do the summer road if it is open (it is closed for the season though).
Time Needed: About an hour depending on how much you explore.
Road Conditions: Paved 2 lane, couple passing lanes. Some construction right now. The Summer Road is not paved, but is not open right now.
Summit: About 8749 feet to the toll booth. 9410 at the top of the Summer Road.
Restrooms: Several options along the way.
Interesting Things: Quite a few trail options, Ski resorts.
Other Info:

To Get Here:

Using Wasatch turning into North Little Cottonwood Road, or 90th turning into South Little cottonwood Road, follow them to where they connect at the mouth of the canyon. Then follow Little Cottonwood Road up to the top of the canyon.

The Adventure:

The canyon (PSP).

I noticed this little plaque earlier this year and was curious so I asked Landis to pull over to check it out.

“Little Cottonwood Road and Bridge constructed by Salt Lake County and the Works Progress Administration 1935-1937” Ahh, the WPA. That explains why the bridge is a little more fancy. Neat!

Into the canyon (PSP).

The Park and Ride lot is to the left. 

Here you can access the Alpenbock Loop Trail as well as some climbing crags. 

To the right, and just below where the 2 roads merge is the Little Cottonwood Trail Lower Trailhead. 

Also the Temple Quarry Trail. Which is also a great place to see mountain goats in the winter.

Wet cliff walls (PSP).

1 of 2 1 lane construction zones (PSP). At least this one was turned off today.

Up canyon (PSP).

Little bit of color next to the road (PSP).

More construction...

At the Lisa Falls trailhead on the north side (PSP). And the Upper Little Cottonwood Trail Trailhead on the south side of the road.

Apparently this part is referred to as the 7 curves (PSP). Landis absolutely freaking LOVES driving through this section.

Avalanche damage from the epic 2022-23 winter (PSP).

Band of color still hanging on up here (PSP).

Again.

I believe this is White Pine Fork (PSP).

More road side color (PSP).

Very large scree field (PSP).

More color (PSP).

Color at The White Pine Trailhead (PSP). Which includes trails to White Pine Lake, 

Red Pine Lake, 

and Gloria Falls.

More road side color (PSP).

Snow (PSP). Well, at least on the south side.

Not so much on the north side (PSP).

More snow (PSP).

One of the lodges at Snowbird (PSP). 

Oktoberfest is done for the year, but it is worth checking out (next year, obs). 

You can also do the Observation Point Trail, and a few other longer options.

You can also ride the tram Hidden Peak (PSP). Which now has a little restaurant as I understand it.

The Hell Gate Cliffs (PSP). One of these days I will explore those!

The Alta Wildcat Base (PSP). 

Collins Gulch is a good hike from here.

You can also access the Lower Albion Meadows trail there.

The Albion Basin above the Alta Albion Base (PSP). 

You can access the Upper Albion Meadows from there.

On the north side of the road is the Grizzly Gulch and further up to Twin Lakes Pass, as well as Cardiff Pass. 

There is also the Historic Bay City Tunnel if you want just a short stop with some history.

The Summer Road is closed for the year (PSP).

Here it is in the summer time. 

When it open you can do the Devils Castle Trail. You can also access the top of the Albion Meadows Trail, 

The Albion Meadow Trail (which is kind of newer), 

Catherine Pass, 

and the ever so popular Cecret Lake. Phew!

You can also still access all of those trails (at least until ski season starts) by adding about 1.5 miles from the Albion Base.

Heading back down.

We found some neat art (PSP).

We decided to do the By Pass Road (PSP).

The Hell Gate Cliffs again (PSP).

It’s a little more windy than the main road, but not too bad (PSP). I probably wouldn’t like it in super gross weather but we usually don’t come up in winter so we can avoid the ski traffic.

Patchy color, and hidden peak (PSP).

Back on the main Little Cottonwood Road (PSP). With a big patch of aspens.

More color (PSP).

The amazing view down the perfect U shaped canyon (PSP).

Again (PSP).

We got stuck in the upper construction (PSP).

At least we still have a decent view down the canyon (PSP).

Uhg. We got stuck in a 2nd cycle (PSP). The line wasn’t long, and the light cycle lasted long enough, just too many obliviots in front of us looking at their phones or something.

Anyway, we are just above the Lisa Falls Trailhead. I don’t think I would risk parking here until the construction moves on.

A crow hopping about (PSP).

Giant chainsaw (PSP).

Continuing down (PSP).

Giant boulder being propped up by a stick (PSP). As long as I have been coming up this canyon, way back when I was a kid, there has always been a stick under the boulder. It has changed quite a few times, but its always there. I love that the community just keeps the gag going for all these years.

More color (PSP).

The lower construction light (PSP). It wasn’t going today, thankfully. I had my fill of waiting for the day.

The mouth of the canyon (PSP).

Meh, not a bad little scenic drive, and a good little add on for the day. I did enjoy getting to see some more of the pretty aspens before they are done for the year. 9 out of 10 squirrels. Losing 1 for the annoying construction.

As for difficulty, unless you decide to get out and explore this is a good DR1, view from the car or maybe get out and look.

Dogs are not allowed in Little Cottonwood Canyon due to watershed restrictions. So be sure to leave Fido home for this one.