Five Interesting Facts about Utah

Utah is a land of contrasts—seasonally, geographically and geologically…making it a fantastic destination for year-round travel. The Wasatch Mountains run north to south through Northern and Central Utah and cradle 12 of Utah’s 14 ski resorts. The range is the backdrop to the Wasatch Front cities of Salt Lake, Ogden, Logan and Provo, providing urban scenes nestled against dynamic mountains views. In the southern portions of the state, the terrain switches from alpine, evergreen forests dotted with aspen, to a colorful palette of sandstone cliffs, domes, canyons and spires. Southern Utah is home to all five of Utah’s national parks and iconic Western landscapes like Monument Valley, Kanab and Lake Powell.

Most people are familiar with Utah’s awe-inspiring natural beauty, but did you know these five interesting facts?

1. The Great Salt Lake is the largest salt water lake in the western hemisphere, but is mysterious because it has no outlet besides evaporation. Its three major tributaries deliver 1.1 million tons of minerals each year, so it becomes more mineralized by the minute. With no outlet! Also a fun fact, The Lake Effect (cold air passing over the warm Great Sale Lake making the sky puke snow) is a major factor in The Greatest Snow on Earth at Utah’s mountain resorts.

2. Utah is home to the oldest and largest known organism in the world, the Pando or Trembling Giant. It’s a clonal colony of male quaking aspen trees with a single root system that weighs about 6 million kg and is about 80,000 years old.

3. Landscape Arch, in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, is considered the longest natural arch in the world by the Natural Arch and Bridge Society. It is about 290 feet long, almost the length of a football field! The National Parks Service had to block the trail beneath the arch because slabs of sandstone up to 70 feet long have been falling down off the arch.

4. Utah is home to the most expensive hotel in the world, Amangiri, at an average nightly rate of $1889.

5. Although Utah is known for its Mormons who do not drink, the state boasts 21 breweries, 7 distilleries (including the only ski-in, ski-out whiskey distillery, High West), and 9 wineries.

If you know of some other interesting facts about the great state of Utah, please leave a comment below. Click the following link to read about other Random Factoid Friday destinations.

One of the best ways to explore and see Utah’s natural beauty is in a recreational vehicle. Click the following link for RV rental in Salt Lake City. If you’ve ever been to Utah, please leave a comment below and share your favorite places.