KUER Two people died while recreating in the Wasatch last week. This story and more in the Monday morning news brief.
Monday morning, May 24, 2021
State
Fireworks And The Drought
Fireworks are banned in Utah until July 2, but state and local leaders are already making plans for the summer holidays. Gov. Spencer Cox discussed drought conditions across the state at a recent press conference and was asked about fireworks restrictions. He said the state will consider them as the holidays get closer and said it depends on the “rain situation.” This year will mark the first time people can light fireworks at city parks in St. George. City Fire Chief Robert Stoker said he hopes it will cut down on the number of people doing them illegally. Fireworks are only allowed over the Fourth of July and Pioneer Day holidays, on New Years Eve and Chinese New Year.
Uinta Highline Trail: Quick and Dirty Guide
The Uinta Highline Trail is a 104-mile trail that runs along the Uinta Mountain Range in Utah’s Ashley National Forest and Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The trail is noted for its expansive views and varied terrain, which includes lodgepole forest, glacial valleys, alpine lakes, and high mountain passes. The trail has an average elevation of 10,700′; it crosses eight mountain passes that are over 11,000′, requiring 16,700′ of elevation gain end-to-end. The trail’s highpoint is Kings Peak at 13,528′.
The Uinta Mountains uniquely run east/west, whereas most other ranges in the Rockies run north/south. The Highline Trail begins in a forest consisting primarily of lodgepole pine and opens sometimes into big meadows. In each of the eight basins along the trail, you will be going in and out of the forest, occasionally passing lakes.