SNEWS and RootsRated guide you to the best hikes at Outdoor Retailer

For folks in the outdoor industry, the mountain west holds a special place in our hearts. Whether it’s hiking through the wildflowers of summer or skiing through feet of pristine powder in winter, the backcountry surrounding Salt Lake City gives us all a chance to breathe during our busiest week of the year.

With only two weeks until Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2015, SNEWS/O.R. Daily and RootsRated have partnered to bring you the insider’s guide to exploring the best outdoor experiences in Salt Lake City. From secluded trail runs and climbing spots to the best dirtbag food joints in the region, SNEWS/O.R. Daily and RootsRated have got you covered with our guide, Explore SLC.

Today, we’ll be reviewing three of the best hiking spots in the area. On July 27th we’ll take a look at three amazing trail runs, then we’ll cap it all off on July 29th with three great climbing spots in the region. For more information about any of these hikes, and to review more great ways to spend time outdoors during the show, be sure to check out our full guide.

Bucket List Sunset Hike to Lake Blanche
After a long day on the floor, you need to get into the mountains and move. Lake Blanche in Big Cottonwood Canyon is a leg-burner with one of the most gorgeous settings for a sunset at the end. It’s a bucket list hike for Salt Lake City—don’t skip it. Bring a headlamp for the way down, plenty of water, and lots of calories. The hike itself covers approximately 5.5 miles, and gains over 2,600 vertical feet along the route—it’s a steep one even if you’re used to mountain life. Make sure you’re hydrated before you start and have at least three liters of water with you, you’ll need it. Read more here>>

Dawn Patrol Hike to Alta Wildflowers and Cecret Lake
You won’t have lots of time in between sales meetings, but you’ll be disappointed if you don’t hike the Wasatch in August. Alta’s Cecret Lake is an hourlong, round-trip hike through some of the most amazing wildflowers you’ll ever see. Be sure to check it out. Albion Basin, the start of the short hike is only a 40-minute drive from the Convention Center, so you can turn it into a dawn patrol before the show or sneak it in when you have a few free hours. Read more here>>

Dog-friendly Hike Up Neff’s Canyon
Both the Cottonwood Canyons are watersheds, which means no dogs allowed. Neff’s Canyon is a dog-friendly option that’s a short drive from downtown Salt Lake City. It’s filled with water and expansive views of surrounding peaks, brushes the edge of the Mount Olympus Wilderness area, and is a quick escape from downtown. Read more here>>