A close-up of the Wellsvilles (late June, 1998):
After the snows leaves - perhaps mid-July - the Wellsville ridge can be reached by a 3-hour hike. Looking back to the East from the ridge, we see the Beaver Range of the Wasatch Mountains. This range rises to about 10,000 feet. The USU campus is located at the foot of the Beavers, at the mouth of Logan Canyon, which angles off to the northeast just left of center. Beaver Mt. Ski Area is located about 30 minutes up this canyon, and Bear Lake another 30 minutes beyond.
Just off the left of the previous picture is a large area of wetlands, where the Bear, Logan, and smaller streams come together to meander before heading out of the valley. The open waters and many side channels offer an unlimited number of ways to get lost. (June, 1998)
Just before the ski area, a turn-off takes you up to Tony Grove Lake at about 8,000 feet. This lake serves as a trailhead for hikes that go more deeply into the mountains.
In mid-July, when the wild flowers are at their peak, a 90 minute hike will take you to White Pine Lake. If we have had a good winter, you may have to walk around or through snow that lies hidden on the north slopes. The picture below shows Julie Abbott and grad students Ganesh Sundaraman and Monica Joshi on the White Pine hike in July, 1995; the white stuff in the background is snow.
White Pine Lake, like Tony Grove, is located in a dramatic steep-walled cirque. The water is crystal clear, and the fishing is superb. Swimming, either intentional or otherwise, is a bit brisk. In 1991, grad students Pradeep Bhuddaraju and Nipa Mehta did make it back relatively dry. Ben Abbott pulled half a dozen trout out of this lake in about 20 minutes. (On the other hand, since he kept throwing them back, he may have pulled the same one out six times...)
The Wellsvilles in Fall, 1996
Near the entrance to Blacksmith Fork Canyon - at the south end of Cache Valley - in Fall, 1995. The picture does not do justice to the colors.
Above Third Dam on the Logan River; Fall, 1996.
The Beaver Mt. ski area - 30 minutes from campus.
Cross-country skiing just north of the Beaver Mt. Ski area; Winter, 1996. Typical northern Utah conditions: sun and fresh powder.
Just above Bear Lake - which is 20 miles or so past Beaver Mountain; Fall, 1996.