I shot this photo last year while camping and fishing Boulder Mountain lakes. I'll be exploring the rugged mountain again this year.

My Choices For Summer Adventures

Updated 5-6-25

With Summer fast approaching, now is the time to lock in outdoor adventures. Here are my choices, based on current conditions and my personal whims.

Bolder Mountain and High Uintas

I love the desert during the cooler months but when temperatures rise I head the the mountains. The Boulder Mountain area received light snowfall over the winter and it will open up early this season. Many lakes will probably be accessible in late May and the entire mountain should open up in early June.

You can drive to many lakes on the mountain if you have a high-clearance 4x4. Be advised, many roads are really rough and rocky. A few of the better lakes are not accessible by road. I'll be backpacking to a couple, exploring new-to-me country and looking for big brook trout. Scenery on the mountain is exceptional.

The High Uintas, in NE Utah, offers a few lakes that are vehicle accessible but most of the wilderness area can only be seen by hiking and backpacking. Highway 150 may be drivable by Memorial Day; adjacent campgrounds should open up about then and nearby lakes will be stocked and offer good fishing. The higher mountain passes usually do not open up until late June or early July. I love getting off the trail and finding seldom-visited lakes full of spunky trout and grayling.

Lake Powell

Water sports become popular at Powell beginning Memorial Day weekend. But then, water temps have warmed to the point that swimming and skiing is pleasant. It is great to boat away from the crowds and camp in a secluded sandy cove.

Fishing at Powell is very good during spring but slows a bit as the water temperature rises. Fish can still be caught but anglers need to know how to work deeper to reach the fish.

One of best fishing opportunities of the year begins in mid-July and lasts into September, when the striped bass feed near the surface. Striped bass are ferocious predators and feed on small shad. Young-of-the-year shad grow big enough the attract attention about that time and the stripers start chasing them, sometimes causing the water's surface to "boil" as shad jump out of the water as they try to flee. Find a boil and you can catch a fish on every cast. Stripers grow big and fight hard.

The lake level raises during early summer and then drops as water is released for power generation and to meet needs downstream. The high water mark usually occurs during late June or early July. Hopefully, that peak will be a little higher than it was last summer. If you like to explore canyons by boat, that is a good time.

Some canyons offer excellent hiking above the lake, and such activity can be pleasant during early morning hours. In some canyons you have to hike up streams, wading as you go. West Canyon in particular offers an impressive narrow slot cut by a flowing stream. I hope to wade the deep pools and climb up waterfalls there.

Bryce Canyon, bottom up

Our national parks are always beautiful and they offer great activities year-round. Lower elevation areas get very hot during the summer so early morning hours are best for hiking and exploring. But our parks also offer higher-elevation areas where temps are more pleasant.

Bryce Canyon is located at a high elevation and is a great choice for summer fun. Most tourist facilities are located along the rim, on top of the mountain. I am putting together a horseback trip where I'll start at the bottom, just outside of Tropic, and ride into the canyon from the bottom. I believe that will be a great adventure with fewer people around.

Flaming Gorge and Green River

Flaming Gorge is an amazing fishery year-round. It offers big lake trout, which provide great adventure because they are always hard to catch. Kokanee salmon are easier to catch and are very popular because they are delicious. I'll be chasing both species.

The river below the dam offers world-class fishing for large brown trout. I plan to do a float trip and cast to some trophies.

Other Options

Countless other destinations and activities are popular during the summer. I'd love to hear about your adventures.

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I try to do one major outing a month, along with minor adventures as circumstances permit. I travel with family and friends as much as possible. Lately, I've been able to get out more often than my cohorts and so I need to expand my group of travel buddies. I can always use more friends.

I'm not a guide and I do not charge to take people on trips. I just go where I feel like going and invite people to join me. I'm old, married, and straight. I don't go as hard and fast as I did when I was young but I think I'm having more fun now. I enjoy helping people experience outdoor adventure. If I'm planning something you find interesting, contact me and maybe we can join forces.

Here I describe some of my upcoming trip plans. I'll share my itineraries as I get the details together. Hopefully, this will give you ideas about great adventure options during the various seasons of the year.

Sometimes I work with charter companies or hire professional guides and it is often less expensive if 2-4 people go in together.

I would love to hear about your travel goals and dreams. If there is an adventure in the SW United States that you would love to do, but don't feel like you can do it on your own, hit me up. I might be able to provide information and resources, or perhaps we can team up to make the trip possible.

- Dave Webb