Life of Brian Head, Utah

06/26/2026

Brian Head fireworks canceled on the 4th. I would guess that if conditions improve, they could be used for the Brian Head Days celebration on July 24th.

Brian Head Town must, regrettably, cancel the 4th of July fireworks show. See statement below.

06/26/2026

Out flying around above the s-curves on a beautiful day. You can make out the smoke plume of the Eagle Point (Cottonwood) fire in the distance. It is going to surpass the 2017 Brian Head fire as the 9th largest in Utah history (and is the largest in the nation right now).

06/24/2026

If you zoom in on the morning Cottonwood fire perimeter map, you can see it includes most of Eagle Point Resort (red line is the perimeter, fire below it). I have read that the "old lodge" burned, but no other words yet. This is the perimeter only and does not reflect results of structure protection efforts.

06/24/2026

Clayton’s video of the smoke from Brian Head Peak tonight (6/23) mostly from fires in southern Nevada. Sadly, the fire near Beaver appears to have encompassed Eagle Point’s main lift and runs per the latest fire perimeter map. This is just what the map shows with no words I can find, and would be quite sad.

06/17/2026

The Sawmill fire as seen from the peak. Note scaffolding is going up as the HistoriCorps are coming back to finish refurbishment of the CCC shelter.

06/15/2026

We bushwhacked from the boy scout camp (with permission) down into 2nd Left to investigate the abandoned switchback I spotted last year with the drone (upper left) to see what we could learn and to explore the possibility of an alternate trail from Dark Hollow / Hendrickson into the canyon without having to use the road. And, to satisfy my curiosity as to whether this route could have been used by early Brian Head pioneers. We found it and learned that it was definitely manmade, way too old/eroded to be from 2017 fire fighting, and could indeed form the basis for part of a great new trail on forest service land. There were meadows and springs before the descent which were beautiful with amazing views. We did not see any real signs that pioneers could have used this with wagons as it was narrow and steep (horses ok). Another theory surfaced as to its origin: there was apparently some mineral surveying in this area and maybe this was cut with something like a mini-x. Anyway, we will be recommending to the forest service in our trails committee to please consider this in long term plans!

06/14/2026

Wildflower season is starting.

06/12/2026

If anyone is going to kayak these falls this summer, I would love to know and come shoot you (pics). The one guy I know who has done it is older now (and wiser 🙂).

06/11/2026

The Brian Head Town Chainsabre Jedi are clearing [UPDATE: All Cleared!] the Aspen Meadows Loop Trail for the weekend! Thanks! Notes: It is clear now from town to the Boy Scout camp. They were working to clear the east leg. Tip: To access / exit the loop on the east end, take the dirt road just below the new cul-de-sac off Steam Engine Drive ("Old Scout Trail") until it intersects the trail. This bypasses the single track section above the road, "Walter's Wiggles", which is very tough. Also, the Aspen Meadows work is crossing the trail in a couple places but you can get through.

06/10/2026

The new Panguitch dam looks great. Bottom pic shows the old leaky dam at left. See cool construction pics and video in the comments! Thx!