Thursday, January 28, 2021

Winter Windows

 


Utah winters can be tricky for kayakers. Finding a place to kayak in a state who's license plates read "The greatest snow on earth" can be a challenge. On the other hand, that impossible powder has to go somewhere after the ski resorts exploit it's usefulness to the fullest. The fact is that it is all downhill after the downhill. That powder will melt in the warm windows of Utah winters and work its way down through the rocks and rills of the great Utah mountains.
 Living in Utah valley it is marvelous to look at the snow peaked mountains that surround us. In those 40+ degree winter heatwaves mother nature often leaves our mountains looking like and ice-cream cone with the delicious ice-cream starting to melt down the sides of the cone on a hot summer day. To me this is the sign. It is time to test the integrity of my kayaks hull and put in at the closest place possible. That miracle powder is working its magic in the great water cycle of the earth. How ungrateful would I be if I didn't cut my hull right through that bountiful liquid mana flowing down the rivers and eventually depositing in the motherly arms of "Laguna de los Timpanogos", today known as Utah Lake.
Just like the snow-boarder that looks down an unmarked slope of fresh powder, it can be just as exciting to a kayaker who sees the virgin glasslike water reflecting every detail of it's origins in glorious revelation.

If you have ever experience a Utah Lake sunset you may know of it's intoxicating draw. Even in the winter it can be an awesome experience with the tomfoolery of the birds of prey circling you and the social chatter of ducks and other water fowl socially engaged in the joyful relief of the mid January end of duck hunting season. There is plenty of peace to go around with a Utah Lake sunset.


Access at Mill Race (click)


Utah Lake Fishing (click)


 


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