Alta, UT – The 2012 Wasatch Wildflower Festival, an annual celebration of Utah’s Wasatch Mountains and the diversity of its ecosystem that’s timed to take place during the peak of the summer flower season, is set for this Friday through Sunday.
The Wildflower Festival kicks off on Friday with three days of wildflower hikes for all abilities and ages. This annual festival provides a fun way for locals and visitors to learn about the wide variety of wildflowers found in the Wasatch Mountains and how to take care of this precious resource.
Guided hikes depart each day starting at 9 a.m., and hikers have the choice of three different trail levels, including beginner, beginner/intermediate, and advanced. Difficulty ratings are based on trail difficulty and length of the hike. Hikes include wildflower discussions and will follow a gentle pace to allow for plenty of wildflower viewing. Live acoustic music from local band Stringshot will set the tone on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Alta.
“The real stars of summer are the wildflowers of Albion Basin,” says Kylie North of the Alta Chamber and Visitors Bureau. “They seem to shine brighter during the festival. It is so much fun to celebrate the outdoors, the wildflowers, and the beauty of Alta with like-minded people…there is such a great energy surrounding the festival!”
The Wasatch Wildflower Festival is a collaboration between the non-profit Alta Community Enrichment, the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation, and the Snowbird Renaissance Center, along with support from Alta Ski Area, Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, Solitude Ski Area, Brighton Ski Area, and The U.S. Forest Service.
The Wasatch Wildflower Festival also offers events for children. Two kids’ wildflower hikes each day (adult supervision is required) will include interactive wildflower activities and wildflower education geared for the little ones. Saturday features kids art activities from 9 a.m. to noon. Additionally, the weekend includes a chalk art contest for wildflower enthusiasts of all ages, where contestants can decorate the pavement with their favorite wildflower or wildlife scene. Contestants must bring their own chalk, and judging will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Staggered wildflower walks each day will depart as the groups fill up. Festival attendees should bring water, snacks, proper footwear, and layers for hiking at altitude. The wildflower hikes will take place on a variety of terrain on Alta Ski Area, Solitude, and Brighton, and hikers will visit lakes, streams, meadows, and even cross over ski runs. Some walks will involve taking a chairlift or tram.