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It
was quiet as we ascended the Deer Valley Resort's 10,000-foot
peak. The lifts moved smoothly above twisting dirt paths
below - for hiking and mountain biking - and I craned
my neck to get a view of resort behind us, trying to
imagine it covered in snow during peak season.
Once
we reached the mountaintop, it took only a few minutes
before I could feel the distinct change in altitude.
I was breathing harder, faster and was quickly (and
silently) glad we hadn't climbed all the way up the
mountain.
We
spent a few minutes just admiring the panoramic view
of Park City and the surrounding Wasatch Mountains,
some capped in white. And then we started down the mountain
- a leisurely hike through thick patches of evergreens,
along twisting paths lined with colorful wildflowers
and across wide plains of grassy ski runs.
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Chair
lifts at Deer Valley's Silver Lake
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For
the most part, we felt like we had the mountain all
to ourselves, having passed only two other groups on
our way down. The lack of crowds is one reason Park
City is a great vacation spot for the summer months,
especially for adventure-seeking women and families.
There wasn't a single moment during my visit that I
felt unsafe, unwelcome or claustrophobic. Plus (as I'll
talk about later), the price, being in the off-season,
was right.
We
worked up a sweat, but weren't exhausted. In fact, the
hike primed us for a hearty lunch at Royal Street Cafe,
located at the base of the mountain.
Sitting
outside on the restaurant's deck, enjoying an ice water
and a tasty BBQ pulled pork sandwich, I glanced up with
satisfaction at the mountain I had just climbed.
Well,
climbed down. I can omit that one silly word,
can't I? Sometimes
cheating is good. (CONTINUED...)
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