Outdoors

Balloons set to soar above Bluff January 13-15

By Andrew Gulliford Contributing writer Every Western small town crows about its festivals, but only Bluff, Utah has balloons that launch beneath red rock cliffs on cool January mornings. Balloons gracefully glide upward with a low hiss and then move at the mercy of the wind. Eager visitors and...

No severe injuries in La Sal Mountain helicopter crash

There were no serious injuries after a Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) helicopter with three occupants crashed in the La Sal Mountains in northern San Juan County. According to the San Juan County Sheriff Jason Torgerson, the men were evacuated from the crash site by a Utah Division of...

It’s not a job, it’s her way of life. Heidi Redd is a true cowgirl, and that was officially confirmed when she was inducted as a member of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, TX. Gary Torres photo

Heidi Redd named to Cowgirl Hall of Fame

A Real American Cowgirl – Heidi Redd I am on my way to interview Heidi Redd, so I am driving down Indian Creek to the Dugout Ranch listening to the John Denver song, I’d Rather be a Cowboy. Heidi is going to be inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, TX. If I am...

BLM lifts voluntary climbing avoidance areas in Indian Creek

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has lifted seasonal climbing avoidance areas in the Indian Creek corridor. The agency welcomes the public to use the climbing walls and areas within the Indian Creek corridor that were previously included in the voluntary avoidance areas to benefit raptors. “We...

Flash flooding in Dry Valley on August 14 washed out sections of State Route 211, the main road accessing the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. SR 211 will be closed for several weeks while repairs are made. National Park Service photo

Storm, flash flood damages State Rt. 211 in Dry Valley

by David Boyle News Director Damages from flash flooding in Dry Valley have closed the main road accessing Canyonlands National Park for at least several weeks. With crews in the early stages of assessment, State Route 211 could be closed for longer. Afternoon flooding on Sunday, August 14 caused...

Forbidding Canyon, a great place for hikers in the Glen Canyon anational Recreation Area, is expanding as drought changes Lake Powell. Andrew Gulliford photo

Closing of the canyons at Lake Powell?

by Andrew Gulliford Lake Powell, the blue-green gem of the Colorado and one of the 20th century triumphs of the Bureau of Reclamation, is in trouble. Not a lake but a reservoir, its shrinking water level, down 150 feet, offers dramatic proof of drought and climate change. As the marvels of Glen...

Death in Canyonlands Needles District

On the evening of Sunday, July 17, 2022, Canyonlands National Park staff received a report of a missing male subject who was overdue after attempting a short hike from Elephant Hill in the Needles District. A joint search and rescue team comprised of Canyonlands and Mesa Verde National Park Service...

Representatives from the BLM, Forest Service & the inter-tribal coalition pose after signing a co-managment agreement for the Bears Ears Monument. Pictured from left to right: Christopher Tabbee Representative Uncompahgre Ute, Malcolm Lehi, Councilman Ute Mountain Ute, Homer L. Wilkes Undersecretary Natural Resources and Environment, Tracy Stone-Manning BLM Director, Carleton Bowekaty Lt. Governor Zuni Tribe, Timothy Nuvangyaoma Hopi Tribe Chairman, Davis Filfred representing the Navajo Nation. DOI photo

Federal and Tribal agencies sign comanagement agreement for Bears Ears

Federal land agencies and tribal leadership formalized their co-management of the Bears Ears National Monument at a signing ceremony on June 18. The signing took place in White Mesa, afterwards, representatives traveled along highway 261 to unveil one of the new Bears Ears National Monument signs,...

BLM proposes to make camping more sustainable in high-use areas

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Moab Field Office is seeking public input on proposals to better manage camping in three areas. These proposals are designed to make dispersed camping sustainable in high-use areas, while reducing user conflicts and protecting cultural and natural resources. The...

Donald Yellow had a great day fishing at the Blanding Fourth Reservoir on June 5, saying it was his "best day ever!" Keshia Yellow photo

Utah Free Fishing Day on June 11

Fish for free in Utah on June 11 If you’d like to catch a fish in Utah’s beautiful outdoors but you don’t have a fishing license, Free Fishing Day is the perfect opportunity to give it a try. Free Fishing Day will be held on Saturday, June 11, and allows anyone to fish at any public waterbody in...