Name: An Evening with Great Books - 2026
Start: 2026-11-05
End: 2026-11-05

All photos by Outdoor Project Contributor, Brant Hansen

| **Pros:** Huge vistas. Shady. Cool in summer. Fast. **Cons:** Busy. **Congestion:** Moderate **Preferable Season(s):** Summer, Fall **Day-Use/Parking Pass Required:** General Day Use Fee ($3.00) **Dogs allowed?:** No | **Total Distance:** 6.00 mi (9.66 km) **Terrain Difficulty:** GREEN **Trailhead Elev.:** 8,239 ft (2,511 m) **Net Elev. Gain:** 1,271 ft (387 m) **Trail Uses:** Hiking, Biking **Trail type:** There-and-back |
| --- | --- |

This trail gives you a pleasant and incredibly scenic climb through 3.5 miles of aspen groves, sprawling meadows, and thick pine forests. All this eventually leads you to Desolation Lake itself, a picturesque high-altitude lake. It’s the perfect, tranquil resting spot. From there, it’s a short climb up to the Wasatch Crest Trail that joins in just below the Spine. If you choose to ride to Desolation Lake as an out-and-back, you’re in for a fast and flowy descent. The trail twists and dives, throwing you through the same forests you just climbed through.

Desolation Lake Mountain Bike Ride

All photos by Outdoor Project Contributor, Brant Hansen

| **Pros:** Views, fast, beautiful **Cons:**Busy **Congestion:** Moderate **Preferable Season(s):** Summer, Fall **Day-Use/Parking Pass Required:** General Day Use Fee ($3.00) **Dogs allowed?:** Yes | **Total Distance:** 6.00 mi (9.66 km) **Terrain Difficulty:** GREEN **Trailhead Elev.:** 7,645 ft (2,330 m) **Net Elev. Gain:** 1,157 ft (353 m) **Trail Uses:** Hiking, Biking **Trail type:** There-and-back |
| --- | --- |

The Dog Lake mountain bike ride usually begins at the Great Western Trail trailhead in Mill Creek Canyon. The lake itself is picturesque and surrounded by a massive aspen grove. Dogs are allowed on the trail and up to the lake, but they must be leashed on even numbered dates. Likewise, bikes are only allowed on the upper Mill Creek Canyon trails on even days. The biggest benefit of Dog Lake is the epic scenery. You’ll get stunning mountain views and broad vistas. You’ll ride through thickly wooded forests filled with aspens, cottonwood, and towering pines.

Dog Lake Mountain Bike Ride: Great Western Trail to Big Water Trail

The 2009 Major League Soccer Champions and 2010 CONCACAF Champions League Finalists. For more information call or visit our Web site.

Real Salt Lake

Located on the west side of Salt Lake City, Glenmoor has a wonderful course layout and is always in good shape. Tree lined fairways make accurate tee shots a must. The mid sized undulating greens will challenge you to keep your approach shots below the hole. If you can score well on the first four, very difficult, golf holes you are on your way to a good round. Privately owned, open to the public.

**Course Amenities:**

Proshop

**Course Stats:**

| Tee | Par | Rating | Slope | Yardage |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Championship | 72 | 71.3 | 121 | 6815 |

**Course Scorecard:**

| HOLE | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| YDG | 545 | 425 | 170 | 380 | 500 | 445 | 190 | 430 | 425 |
| PAR | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| HCP | 11 | 3 | 17 | 5 | 13 | 1 | 15 | 9 | 7 |
| HOLE | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| YRD | 370 | 365 | 380 | 150 | 410 | 550 | 170 | 380 | 530 |
| PAR | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| HCP | 14 | 12 | 4 | 18 | 2 | 6 | 16 | 10 | 8 |

Glenmoor Golf Course

The Utah State University Bastian Agricultural Center (formerly known as the Salt Lake County Equestrian Center) is on 120-acres located at 2100 W 11400 S, South Jordan, UT in the Salt Lake valley. The Bastian Agricultural Center is committed to honoring and preserving agriculture in Utah and serving the citizens of the state. The center features an 85,000-square-foot arena and event center and hosts a variety of events including concerts, rodeos, sports tournaments and trade shows.

Utah State University Bastian Agricultural Center

All photos by Outdoor Project Contributor, Kyle Jenkins

| **Pros:** Many trailheads and amenities. Very long rides possible. Dogs allowed. **Cons**: Can be crowded. **Congestion:** Moderate **Preferable Season(s):** Summer, Fall **Day-Use/Parking Pass Required:** Not Required **Dogs allowed?:** Yes | **Total Distance:** 40.00 mi (64.37 km) **Terrain Difficulty:** GREEN **Trailhead Elev.:** 4,280 ft (1,305 m) **Net Elev. Gain:** 100 ft (30 m) **Trail Uses:** Hiking, Biking, Horseback **Trail type:** There-and-back |
| --- | --- |

The Jordan River Parkway is a massive network of paved trails in the greater Salt Lake City area that is perfect for road biking and walking along the Jordan River. There are dozens of trailheads that run north to south along the route that offer parks, covered picnic tables, bathrooms, pavilions and even fishing ponds. Water fowl can be seen frequently along the river, and several places have pullouts and benches that allow you to go down by the water to feed the ducks. The Nature Center in Murray, the Conservation Garden Park, and the Redwood Nature Area are some of the facilities along the trail that allow for more interactive experiences for children and adults alike. There is a lot more going on along the parkway than simply a place to walk and ride. It is a large project that spans many counties and is based around conservation and education. It is one of the many reasons Salt Lake City is considered a great outdoor city.

Jordan River Parkway Road Cycling

Sandy city is in the southeastern part of Salt Lake County and is considered the "Heart of the Wasatch."

Sandy City

The Utah Pickleball Center is a massive $42 million, 170,000-square-foot facility currently under construction in South Jordan (272 W. 11000 South), slated to open in October 2027. It will feature 41 courts, a 2,500-seat stadium court, a fitness center, and serve as the home base for the Utah Black Diamonds.

Utah Pickleball Center (opens Oct. 2027)

For fun and excitement, you can’t go wrong at K1 Speed! Our Salt Lake City indoor karting facility, located in Sandy, is much more than a simple go-kart track. In addition to racing, our center also has private meeting rooms, a spacious lounge with video games and leather couches, a fully stocked snack bar, and a large collection of racing memorabilia. Our aim is for guests to have as much fun off of the track as on!

If you are looking for a fun night out with friends, or would like to spend an unforgettable afternoon with your kids, we assure you that we have you covered! Come in and enjoy all that K1 Speed Salt Lake City has to offer – no reservations are required!

K1 Speed

Easy out-and-back hike, with beautiful city and mountain views. This hike will take you to a suspension bridge spanning a pretty creek.

This trail is fairly well-trafficked, and is quite family friendly. The bridge, built in 2015, is 185 feet across Bear Canyon and connects two parts of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST). An optional trail, starting on either side of the bridge, will take a short loop around the canyon and place you on the other side of the bridge. There are many other trail options in this area, so feel free to explore.

**Insider tip**: Good in any season, but bring Yaktrax or some other method to keep your shoes on the ice and snow in cold weather.  
For more information about the bridge and other trails that take you there, check the Draper City website: [draperutah.gov]()

**Details**  
Once you park in the Hidden Valley Park lot, the trailhead is on the east end of the lot. Follow the trail markers for the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST) to the right (south). Keep on the BST until you reach the bridge. The optional Bear Canyon Loop can be accessed on the east side of the trail on either side of the bridge, and is well marked.

**Dog-friendly**

**Public transport**  
Bus routes do not travel up to this neighborhood - best access is by car.

**Directions**  
Drive south on Interstate 15 to Exit 292 at 11400 South. Turn left on 11400 South, and drive for 1.9 miles until you reach 1700 East. Turn right and drive south to Wasatch Boulevard. Turn left and drive east on Wasatch Boulevard for 1.7 miles until you see the sign for Hidden Valley Park on your right.

**Parking**  
Parking is free at the park and there are plenty of spaces.

Hidden Valley Park to Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge

Visit Salt Lake

Salt Lake is the place where the Wasatch mountain peaks frame city streets. Sure, Salt Lake's famed for our winter powder ([four legendary ski resorts](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/skiing-snowboarding/) just 30 minutes from downtown), but that's just one season's story. Summer brings families [hiking through wildflower meadows](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/) before cooling off at a Jazz game or the Gateway fountains. Autumn paints our mountain canyons in gold, perfect for morning strolls that end at local coffee shops. Spring? That's when you might spot baby bison on Antelope Island before heading to the Eccles Theater for a Broadway show. Our soaring Wasatch Mountains rise dramatically from downtown Salt Lake, creating a place where every day offers both natural wonders and urban energy. And while we sit perfectly between the [national parks](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/state-national-parks/) with Yellowstone's geysers and Utah's red rock country, the real magic happens right here, where everyone can [discover the history](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/plan-your-visit/about-salt-lake/) of the city as they find their own rhythm between mountain adventure and city life.

Sports Salt Lake

Now in its third year, An Evening with Great Books is an invitation into curiosity and enthusiasm for masterpieces of world literature. University of Utah scholars offer short, accessible lectures on enduring works in a convivial atmosphere of dinner and conversation. Whether you are returning to a longtime favorite or encountering a classic for the first time, this popular event celebrates the pleasures of reading.Ivan Goncharov, Oblomov— Fiona BellHomer’s Odyssey —Scott BlackOscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray— Robert CarsonPierre Choderlos de Laclos, Les Liaisons Dangereuses— Thérèse de RaedtBeowulf— Chris JonesChinua Achebe, Arrow of God— KasimmaTickets are $50. Proceeds from An Evening with Great Books supports the Tanner Humanities Center’s extensive free public programming.Views expressed in Tanner Humanities Center events do not reflect the official views of the Center or the University of Utah.This calendar listing is brought to you by NowPlayingUtah.com, Utah's one-stop, online website for arts and entertainment events, powered by the Utah Cultural Alliance.

An Evening with Great Books - 2026

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