A VISIT TO ALPINE LAKES NEAR PARK CITY, UTAH (USA )

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A VISIT TO ALPINE LAKES NEAR PARK CITY, UTAH  (USA )

                                           
                                             

( A sculpture outside the airport in Salt Lake City ) 

                                     

 Utah is a state located in the western United States, known for its natural beauty, rich history, and diverse culture. Utah is renowned for its natural diversity, boasting features that range from arid zones to thriving pine forests in its mountain valleys. It is a rugged and geographically diverse state at the convergence of three distinct geological regions: the Rocky Mountains, the Great Basin, and the Colorado Plateau. Salt Lake City, with a population of about 1.2 million souls, is the capital of this state. The population of Utah is approximately 3.4 million. Utah has a strong Mormon heritage, but it's also home to a diverse population with a growing arts and cultural scene. Utah is known for its stunning natural landscapes, ski resorts, and opportunities for hiking, camping, and water sports. The state is also known for its friendly people, rich history, and vibrant towns. The California Gold Rush of 1848-1849 significantly impacted Utah's economy as thousands of migrants passed through Utah on their way to California, boosting local businesses and services that catered to these travellers. Although Utah wasn't the primary destination for gold seekers, the state does have its own gold deposits and presently, Utah is one of the top gold-producing states in the US, with significant gold reserves found as a byproduct of copper, silver, lead, and zinc mining. Some notable gold rushes and discoveries in Utah include Glen Canyon on the Colorado River, Mercur Gold Deposits and some more. So one can call the development of Utah partly due to the Gold Rush. One can see a sizeable presence of native Indians in Utah. Navajo, Ute, Paiute, Gushute and Shoshone and every tribe has its distinct history, culture and traditions. These tribes were the original inhabitants of this area before the immigrants from Europe arrived. They have been granted reservations, and they continue to play an important role in Utah’s history and culture.

  We arrived in Utah State for a week's visit.  Utah is about 4 and a half hours' flight from Newark Airport. Close to California and the desert area of Las Vegas, we are in a different time zone, slightly jet-lagged. We landed at Salt Lake City airport. Salt Lake City is a city of unexpected surprises and brims with history, art, culture, entertainment and recreation:  all in a beautiful location at the foot of Utah's Wasatch Mountains. Salt Lake City, the Capital of Utah State, has a population of 2.20 lakhs, but the airport over here is three times bigger than IGIA Terminal 3, New Delhi. It is a state-of-the-art complex with special conveyor belts for travellers who carry Ski equipment. About Salt Lake City, I shall write in detail after we visit the place. However, from Salt Lake City airport, we drove straight to nearby Park City, stopping en route at an Indian Grocery store, ‘ Bombay Foods’ run by an enterprising Fijian immigrant couple of Indian origin. Every grocery item needed in the Indian kitchen was available at this huge warehouse-type retail cum wholesale store.

       

                                           

( The 2002 Olympic Winter Games site )

Built for the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games, Utah Olympic Park is located in Park City. The nearly 400-acre venue houses one of only four sliding tracks in North America, six Nordic ski jumps, a 2002 Winter Games museum, and a multitude of adventure activities. Utah Olympic Park is a dynamic multi-use facility focused on developing and growing participation in winter sports in the state of Utah and is an official USOC Training Site.

                                       

  PARK CITY, LAKE MIRROR AND LAKE SILVER

 Should you plan to go to Lake Mirror and Lake Silver in the high mountains, you need to come to Park City from Salt Lake City.  Park City, a vibrant town of about 10,000 permanent residents, developed during the California Gold Rush. Many Silver mines were discovered here, which made many immigrants rush to this place. Silver not only brought prosperity to mine owners, but it also created a beautiful town with some of the best skiing slopes in the world in the mountains around the town. I am informed that the 2002 Olympic Winter Games were held in Park City, and the place is now a ski museum. Park City's market is a bustling hub of activity, featuring local vendors, artisans, and farmers selling everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts. In the winter, Park City's chairlifts transport skiers and snowboarders up the slopes of Park City Mountain, Deer Valley, and Canyons Village. The area is renowned for its world-class skiing and snowboarding. Visitors from all over the world flock to the place for snow sports

Staying in Airbnb accommodation in Park City, a small town with shops, huge shopping stores ( Walmart and whole Foods too ), restaurants, cable car lifts, museums and tourists, theatres, installation art in many public spaces, children parks, golf ground, library, cinema hall,  we decided to go Lake Mirror and Lake Silver after crossing the Bald Mountain Pass( altitude 10715 feet )  and Empire Pass( altitude 9600 feet ) respectively. Mirror  Lake is about 65 miles while Silver  Lake is about 40 miles away from Park City. The pass and the mountains are snow-free during the summer season, while winters are harsh, and the pass remains blocked as lakes freeze, and nobody ventures to go there in freezing temperatures except the skiers.

The town's scenic beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities make it a popular destination year-round. The Park City Museum is a treasure trove of local history, showcasing the city's transformation from a mining town to a world-class ski destination. One can see how miners lived and did their job apart from the old prison cells in the basement of the museum. The museum also showcases precious stones available in the area.

 Located at an altitude of 7200 feet, the air over here in Park City is dry. There is a paucity of oxygen. The rays of the sun are piercing the skin, and it becomes a little cold in the evening. There is marked variation in day and night temperatures. One needs to take fluids, juices and keep the body hydrated.

Park City transforms into a summer mountain playground with endless activities. From mountain biking and hiking to alpine slides and scenic lift rides, Park City Mountain Resort is the perfect spot for fun outdoor things to do in Utah this summer.

Utah's high elevation can lead to lower oxygen levels in the air. With Park City sitting at about 7000 feet above sea level, the air pressure is lower, resulting in less available oxygen per breath. This can cause some people, especially visitors from lower elevations, to experience mild altitude sickness symptoms like fatigue, headaches or shortness of breath. Provo River, Weber, Jordon River, Strawberry River, Ogden River, Bear River, Duchesne River, Diamond Fork River, Spanish Fork River, Price River, White-Rocks River, Uinta River, Logan River and  Green River.are the main rivers of this area. These rivers mostly fall into Utah Lake or Great Salt Lake, or the Colorado River or join each other.

Park City is a Mecca for art lovers. Not only does the town close Main Street for the annual, internationally acclaimed cPark City vKimball Arts Festival the first weekend of August; It also hosts a free, end of the month gallery stroll where the public can visit the plethora vod local visual art galleries vlikecArt Elevated, Artworks Park City, Bret Webster Images, David Beavis Fine Art, Gaia On Main, Gallery MAR, Lund's Fine Arts, Main Street Gallery, Mangelsen Images of Nature, Meyer Gallery and McMillan Fine Art Photography. The above galleries are on Main Street. Further, there are more than 15 art galleries located off Main Street. These galleries include Old Town  Gallery, Trove Gallery, Kimball Art Centre, Mountain Trails Gallery, Montgomery-Lee -Lee Fine Art, Park City Fine Art, Thomas Anthony Gallery, Summit Gallery, Julie Nester Gallery, etc.

The Red Flower Studios, managed by glass artist Daniel Bell, is a place worth visiting and trying your hand at glassblowing with a guide. Many visitors craft items like ornaments, bowls, planters and even hummingbird feeders.

Three chefs, namely Peter Meenter(Executive Chef Deer Valley Resorts), Galen Zamarra (Executive Chef Le Depot Brasserie and Union Patisserie) and  Zane Holmquist (Executive Chef Stein Eriksen Lodges ) from Park City have acquired an international reputation for bringing crowd-pleasing dishes and a creative spin on traditional dishes and barbecues . There are some reputed wine clubs in Park  City which offer Sangria only prepared with quality wine,well-soaked fruit and the perfect fizzy finish.

I was told that Park City has been developed for amusement and leisure. During summer season, there are musical concerts, scenic lifts operating on all sides up the hills, bikers moving up and down, golfers playing, fruit picking tours, Miner’s Day celebrations, Beer Festival, white-water rafting competitions, farmer’s markets, cheese markets, trout fishing, boating, kayaking and many other activities while during winters crowds throng this area for skiing and other winter-games.

                                             

                                                                           

                                                                                   

                 (Donating my book to Park City Public Library)

                                            

     The Park City Museum is on what used to be a prison. The jail is located in the museum's basement and is a significant part of its exhibits, offering a glimpse into the town's past with original cells and stories of its former inmates. Prospectors discovered silver in 1868 in the area that soon after became Park City. Mine owners made fortunes, while thousands of miners simply made a living. After silver prices declined, Park City reinvented itself as a ski resort town.

I also visited  Park City Public Library and donated my book," Kashmir: The Crown Jewel of Indic Civilisation  ".                 

                                            

 VISIT TO  MIRROR LAKE 

 Crossing the camping sites, pine forests and finally the summit of Bald Mountain Pass, we arrived at  Mirror Lake. The pass is picturesque and gives you a magnificent view of the surrounding hills and valleys in this part of Utah.  En route to the alpine Lake Mirror, we stopped at the majestic Provo waterfalls. Provo is a prominent river in Utah that flows through this area. The Lake is some miles below the Bald Mountain Pass. I saw people coming with small boats and complete fishing equipment to the Lake. The Lake is nestled below Bald Mountains with two peaks on one side and one peak on the other side. The maximum depth of the Mirror Lake is 36 feet. The lake has a partial boardwalk facility around it with dry restrooms built by the Forest Department. One can't litter anywhere. One can't park their vehicle anywhere except the designated parking place. The twin mountain peaks look twin Harmukh peaks above the  Gangbal Lake of Kashmir. I was so reminded. People were boating and fishing. It was cold, and one could feel a paucity of oxygen. My nose turned dry over here. The lake rests at an altitude of 10250 feet. We were told about the presence of deer, moose and some wild animals in this area. Lake Mirror is home to three species of trout: rainbow, brook, and tiger. Boating with non-motorised watercraft like kayaks and canoes is only permitted. For hikers, the Mirror Lake Loop Trail is a 2.8-mile flat trail perfect for families and beginners. And the campground near the lake offers about 100 campsites, picnic facilities, with restrooms.  The weather at the lake changes many times during the day. It could be sunshine, cloudy, windy, rainy and chilly same day. A  recreation fee of ten dollars is required for parking, available at the Kamas Ranger District station or self-service stations along the highway. Kamas, Utah, is directly east of Park City, located at the edge of Kamas Wildlife Management Area and is one of four ranger district locations in Wasatch National Forest. Camping is popular here as well as hiking and other outdoor activities. Kamas is the last inhabited town between Park City and is close to Park City; thereafter, for about 50 miles, there is no habitation.

                                           

 VISIT TO  SILVER LAKE

Crossing the Empire Pass near Park City, we arrived at the Brighton Ski Resort situated on the bank of Silver Lake. This is a drinking water reservoir and is full of fish. I didn’t see people fishing or boating in the Lake the way I saw it at Lake Mirror. The Lake has a perfect boardwalk around it and is nestled below a dense pine forest. While driving down from Empire Pass, surprisingly, I saw a poplar forest as we went down the Empire Pass towards the Lake. The Lake area has similar wild animal habitation as around Lake Mirror.

We were told that the surrounding area was once a bustling mining hub. Mines like the Flagstaff, Lady of the Lake, and Nail Driver operated here in the late 1800s, but most produced little ore. The community eventually faded, leaving behind ruins and ghostly remnants. The Silver Lake Trail is one of the few designated foot-traffic-only trails in the Deer Valley area, offering a peaceful escape from the mountain bikers that dominate other paths. Hikers on the trail are rewarded with sweeping views of Old Town Park City, remnants of aerial tramway towers, and glimpses into the area's mining past.

Some people live around Silver Lake, though it’s not a densely populated residential area. The region is primarily known for its seasonal cabins, ski lodges, and mountain homes, many of which are tucked into the forested slopes of Big Cottonwood Canyon.

                                     

BRIDAL FALL   AND PROVO RIVER PARK

Close to Provo River Park is the Bridal Veil Falls. The Fall is located in Provo Canyon, Utah, about 25 miles from Park City. The picturesque, lacy tiers of water cascading effortlessly over rugged cliffs resemble a bride’s veil.  It's beautifully visible right from the highway, making it a convenient roadside attraction. We visited it after returning from Provo River Park. There is a park as well at the base of the falls. The water falls from a height of 700 feet to join the River Provo. The area is as pretty as the  Prang Valley in Kashmir. However, it is totally litter-free and well-maintained.

The Provo River park is thronged by tourists for its scenic location. Nestled below high mountains, the  Provo  River adds grace and charm to the landscape. The Provo River originates in the Uinta Mountains in northeastern Utah. The Provo River flows through Jordanelle Reservoir, Deer Creek Reservoir, and down Provo Canyon, passing by Provo City.   Finally, it empties into Utah Lake. From there, water leaves Utah Lake via the Jordan River, which flows north into the Great Salt Lake. The Park has sitting benches for tourists, apart from a block of restrooms and a rock installation art.

                                          

HEBER CITY, VISIT TO A ROBOT-MANAGED DAIRY FARM AND HEBER VALLEY TRAIN RIDE

Heber City, Utah, is a charming town located in the heart of the Wasatch Mountains. It is located about 17 miles from Park City and is bristling with restaurants, art galleries, hospitals, golf grounds, walking trails, bicycle trails and many more attractions for visitors. With its picturesque landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and endless outdoor activities, it’s the perfect destination for a weekend getaway or a longer vacation. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a history buff, or a foodie, there’s something for everyone in Heber City. For lunch, we visited the Little India Restaurant run by two immigrants from Punjab ( India ). The food was super with strawberry Lassi and Samosa. Two great attractions of this town were riding the Heber Valley Train and visiting a robot-managed dairy farm of 120 cows with just one attendant who happens to be the owner. The owner of the dairy farm told us that the cows have been trained to go to the feed store, walk to Robot for milking and go to mechanised itching brooms should they feel skin itching. The face fans, sit, stand and walk without any assistance. Every cow is fitted with a device that monitors its general health, BP, heart rate, and sleep, while the milking robotic machine monitors the presence of nutrients in its milk to make suitable additions or alterations in the feed. The proprietor carries a mobile phone in his hand, and in case of any exigency,  it flashes a beep sound. There is a computer room in the dairy that monitors everything. The Dairy owner conducts guided tours to his farm, and he told us this:

“ I don’t sell milk. It gives you very less returns. I convert it into cheese and sell my cheese varieties. I hold a degree in  dairy farming with advanced specialisation in cheese craft .”

The train journey of about 100 minutes in the Heber Valley was a great experience. In this train ride, you come across pretty valleys, water bodies, scenic hills, together with arid landscape of Utah. At many places, I was reminded of the Ganderbal Valley of Kashmir. This journey takes you through stud farms, dairy farms, vegetable farms, etc. Once a busy train track, it is now being used to run this tourist train only. The train is more than 100 years old. The tourists are entertained by storytellers and singers during the journey. Upon the completion of the journey, you are brought back to the old Heber Train Station where you boarded the train.   

                                           

                                        

                                           

                                         

                                             

                                          I was informed that the University of Utah, located in nearby Salt Lake City, ranks as a prestigious University in the US. Kashmir-born poet Agha Shahid Ali taught English at Utah University. To commemorate the late professor, the University annually awards the Agha Shahid Ali Memorial Poetry Prize. Durga Elambaram is swell well-known artist from India who has been living in Salt Lake City since 2017. She is a well-known and respected artist in Utah's art scene. Shall write about my Salt Lake City visit shortly.

So long, so much.

( Avtar Mota)

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