This month Canyon Blog thought he’d touch (gently for reasons soon to be obvious) on one of his favorite and most overlooked Little Cottonwood residents, the porcupine. The idea occurred to him last week while skinning up Albion basin between the summer road and Catherine’s area on a sunny and uncrowded day. Minding his own business and generally enjoying the quiet mountain solitude your correspondent stumbled into the forest havoc remnants of erethizon dorsatum (the scientific name for the north American version). As you can see, when a porcupine decides it’s time to party pine style, they mean business. What really happens at this time of year is porcupines will strip bark and other parts of pine trees in order to carry themselves through to later spring and summer when they turn to softer plant life for nutrition. And no doubt improved flavor… Most people think porcupines hibernate, but they don’t. They spend their wintertime hunkering down through the weather in sheltered locations and climbing trees to forage among the available pinecones and whatever criteria they use to determine a tasty bough, though how they choose heaven knows. This guy, who’d clearly moved on the day previous, spent considerable time on the lower parts of this tiny grove just below Wolverine Peak. A few cool facts should you choose to use this month’s blog to impress your friends: Their famous quills cannot be hurled or projected at anyone, not even politicians. But they are easily detached on contact. And they are not easily removed once imbedded because they have hundreds of barbs just to make the “point” that you don’t want to connect with them. They will rattle their quills to warn you if you’re pissing them off. They can also emanate an unpleasant odor as a warning. It’s only when all else fails that they’ll back their way toward a predator, or an evil Park City skier. They can live up to 30 years, making them one of the longest-lived rodents in the wild. And finally, your correspondent’s favorite, a litter of young and their mother are referred to as a prickle. Intuitive perhaps, but one can hardly be expected to have pulled that term out of the ether. No doubt happier grazing days are ahead for our Albion pine mauling friend, as evidenced by this last photo captured during Canyon Blog’s wanderings last summer along Emma Ridge. As our skiing season changes to hiking erethizon dorsatum will leave the firs and bristle cones for the grass and meadows of your favorite canyon so watch your step when you come to visit and stay in our beautiful lodgings. Book your trip today! We're looking forward to seeing you.

Little Cottonwood Canyon Archives - Page 3 of 3

Porcupine Pine Party
Porcupine Pine Party

Porcupine Pine Party

This month Canyon Blog thought he’d touch (gently for reasons soon to be obvious) on one of his favorite and most overlooked Little Cottonwood residents, the porcupine. The idea occurred to him last week while skinning up Albion basin between the summer road and Catherine’s area on a sunny and uncrowded day. Minding his own business and generally enjoying the quiet mountain solitude your correspondent stumbled into the forest havoc remnants of erethizon dorsatum (the scientific name for the north American version). As you can see, when a porcupine decides it’s time to party pine style, they mean business. What [...]

CanyonBlog2022-04-13T18:47:05+00:00Local Flavor, Outdoors|

Interlodge: A History
Interlodge: A History

Interlodge: A History

Ever wonder what Interlodge actually means? Wonder no more. This month’s blog is dedicated to providing answers to all your questions and to help you not only weather that term’s storms but to enjoy your mountain experience to the utmost should you find yourself a part of the Little Cottonwood Canyon experience known as Interlodge. What the term means: It actually refers to the limit placed on residents and guests when inside town limits (or Snowbird properties) with regard to traveling between lodges, homes and resorts. In other words, you cannot travel between them. The word inter literally means between. [...]

CanyonBlog2022-02-10T01:27:48+00:00Common Questions, Local Flavor, Outdoors|

Why You Should Book Your Utah Vacation Rental Now
Why You Should Book Your Utah Vacation Rental Now

Why You Should Book Your Utah Vacation Rental Now

The Wasatch Mountains, one of the nation’s most distinct ranges, serves as an elite skiing and cold-weather getaway destination for those who adore winter sports. However, many may not realize that when the snow melts and the sun shines, the Alta-Snowbird ski area takes on a new persona rife with alpine adventures like hiking, kayaking, and mountain biking—among others. Nestled within the Little Cottonwood Canyon, Canyon Services is already preparing to host a bevy of guests who need a summer retreat. From sprawling mountain prairies to forgotten and hidden gems, there are many reasons to reserve a Utah vacation rental [...]

Brittany Patraw2021-10-08T20:48:06+00:00Common Questions|

A Digital Detox in Alta-Snowbird
A Digital Detox in Alta-Snowbird

A Digital Detox in Alta-Snowbird

It seems impossible to do anything without a smartphone, tablet, or laptop by our side in this day and age. Moment by moment, we become increasingly reliant on technologies that seemingly make life easier, but at what cost? Surely things that help us learn, communicate, and share ideas with people worldwide can't be so bad. Still, just like everything else, it's important to practice moderation when it comes to technology. One effective way to bring balance into your life is to seek refuge from the daily information-overload by embarking on a digital detox. A few recent studies have shown that [...]

Brittany Patraw2021-10-08T20:57:48+00:00Outdoors|

A Winter Vacation in the Wasatch Mountains: Snowbird, Utah
A Winter Vacation in the Wasatch Mountains: Snowbird, Utah

A Winter Vacation in the Wasatch Mountains: Snowbird, Utah

At no better time does Snowbird, Utah, live up to its name than during the holiday season. In a matter of weeks, the Wasatch Mountains will be covered in a blanket of fresh powder, lending itself to a magnificent transformation that morphs the fabled alpine forests into a winter wonderland and provides seemingly endless enjoyment to visitors and locals alike. This holiday season, Canyon Services invites you to change things up by celebrating in the comfort of a Utah vacation rental property. Ideally located within Little Cottonwood Canyon, our vacation homes come in various options ranging from mountainside condos to [...]

Brittany Patraw2021-10-08T21:23:57+00:00Outdoors|

Mountain Retreats to Alta and Snowbird, UT
Mountain Retreats to Alta and Snowbird, UT

Mountain Retreats to Alta and Snowbird, UT

While it may not seem like it now, winter is just around the corner, but there is still plenty of time to get out and enjoy the comfortable autumn weather before the snow starts dropping. As much as we love summer, fall is an excellent time for a mountain retreat to Alta and Snowbird, Utah. As the warm temperatures diminish, so do the number of tourists before ski season starts, creating the perfect opportunity for those hoping to avoid crowds. Moreover, the crisp autumn winds lend themselves to a variety of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy in cooler weather. [...]

Brittany Patraw2021-10-08T21:42:53+00:00Outdoors|