White Pine

One of the greatest things about Logan, Utah is the proximity to nature. Almost everything I could every need from nature is within 30 minutes of an hour's drive. There is hiking trails, marshlands, lakes, rivers, mountain pines, desert sagebrush, open fields and dense forests, to name a few. One such place is roughly 45 minutes away, northeast through Logan Canyon. White Pine is one of the best places I have every enjoyed being.

Upon arriving at Tony's Grove, one much pay to park overnight (grrrr, but necessary), and unload the overnight backpacking equipment, fishing pole included! After locking up, the trail head to White Pine is off to the east, and roughly four short miles later you arrive at the final decent, overlooking a small lake tucked away in what almost feels like a crater (even though it’s not).  The campsites are cozy and relatively close to the lake, which is fed by a small spring of ice cold fresh water. An hour after setting up camp and getting a dinner fire going, you might find yourself opening a spicy, savory, scrumdiddlyumptious, tin foil dinner. Fifteen minutes later, stuffed to the neck with deliciousness, you might find yourself crazing something sweet, crunchy, and melty! Yes melty is a word, created by Taco Bell and added to Webster's in 2007, as acknowledged by the reliable website theonion.com.

In ordered to indulge your newfound craving, you must use you knowledge from biology (got to use it somewhere right?) to find a rigid Aspen branch, roughly 3 feet long with a fork at the end (some fashioning required via your pocket knife). Now be careful, don't burn the gooey part of your treat whilst roasting it, slow and steady wins this race. After carefully sandwiching your mallow and Reese's peanut butter cup between your honey flavored graham crackers, carefully place your creation on a warm rock near the fire for one minute to add the final touch, melty goodness.

Having been stuffed to the brim with savory deliciousness, topped with sweet melty goodness, breathing in pine and smoke (since it always finds you, no matter where you sit around the fire), you should find yourself exhausted and ready for a warm sleeping bag. Waking up in the morning can be very interesting, ranging from nothing excited to thinking there is a bear outside your tent! In reality, what you might find are a few cows, rummaging through your camp fire where you left the remains of your tin foil dinner. Now, off to the best part, poking around the lake with your trusty fishing pole in pursuit of the pinkest Brook Trout you may ever find for breakfast.

Having fished for a few hours, enjoying every minute of it, it is time to think about heading home. After packing up, cleaning camp and leaving it more natural than you found it, you find yourself thinking of things you could have left at home as you climb up the switchbacks. Eventually, you should turn around to take in the view of the valley one last time before leisurely walking the four miles back to your car. As you drive away, you might find yourself realizing that you want to stay, and not go back to the crazy reality of school, work and bills. As you pull in to home, you realize that everything will be just fine, because you can always go back to nature and there is a hot shower waiting for you inside.