Safety Tips in Utah

This is a wonderful place but be warned, this is the desert and it is very remote. Coyote buttes is not like hiking the defined trails of the Alps or Yosemite. Coyote Buttes has no trails, cairns or markers of any kind and it is very easy to get lost. Bring more water than you think will need. You might need it. In the summer it is very hot in the desert, be careful.

I-70 is a rush but watch out for gigantic elk and deer...the will take you out!!
Suset...nightime...mating season(fall) and even daytime...the are big, unpredictable and can kill you...hitting a deer at high speed is like running into a brick wall...and if you clip em just right they can go thru you windshield and then you have one pissed off deer in your lap

The heat and sun can be relentless in the summer. Make sure you take plenty of water with you, even a short hike to a site just off the road can dehydrate you. Sunblock and hats are a necessity. Take breaks often during the day to make sure you don't overdo the heat and sun.

On the trail we hiked the ledge was very narrow, and there was a light coating of sand that is very slick in tennis shoes. Hiking boots would work better and use the chain posted in the rock. If the weather is hot and sunny be sure you have water.

This would mostly be for those who haven't been to the Western United States ...

1. Hot dry weather. Beacause the humidity is so low, I found you can become dehydrated very quickly, and not know it because you don't notice sweating. It dries too fast. Bring PLENTY of water.

2. Much of Utah is very remote - make sure you have enough supplies. On specific example is Interstate 70 in the middle of the state. There's a 112 mile stretch with no services, I don't know of any other Interstate Highway that desolate in the US. On the bright side, this makes for a beautiful state. The included photo was taken on I-70: find me another interstate highway in this country so scenic!

3. Large changes in elevation mean weather can be unpredictable. While it was in the 90's (F) in Zion NP, the next morning (late August) it was only 34F in nearby Cedar Breaks, with a stiff wind.

I tried very hard to train my eye-hand coordination while driving in Utah, keep one eye on the road, the other one on the passing scenery, one hand on the steering wheel, one hand to wake my husband to snap a shot, it can be dangerous for there're too many breath-taking scenery on the road, you wish there's roof top camera with a remote control on the steering wheel.

If you’re in the mood for some alcohol while in Utah, you better plan on getting it before you want it. Utah controls all the liquor stores in Utah, and only has 13-14 liquor stores in the entire state. Since they are the monopoly, watch out for the prices. The hours they are open are pretty goofy, and are closed on Sunday. All beer sold in Utah has an alcohol content of 3.2%. The only place to get 6.0% beer is up at Hill Air Force Base, and the prices are very reasonable. The only hitch is that US Military are allowed to shop there, so ask around, you might find someone willing to help out.

Watch your speed while traveling around rural Utah. We've discovered that a lot of those rural towns don't like non-mormons, and will be happy to give you a ticket! The Metro areas of Ogden, Salt Lake City, and Provo aren't that bad. I took this picture when my friend was pulled over! :)