A quick note from Amanda: welcome to the very first Wasatch Front edition of Summit & Sage, written by Mindy — same newsletter, new backyard. Everyone's getting this debut issue. Want it weekly, or prefer just the Park City edition? Pick your edition here.

Happy Pioneer Week!

I spent a lot of this month soaking up some of my favorite parts of Utah. I just got home from Bear Lake, and now I'm already getting ready for Lake Powell. Different scenery, different adventures, but the same reminder of how lucky we are to have so many incredible places to explore right in our backyard.

I never take for granted the chance to find new adventures here in Utah. Whether you're heading to the lake, hitting a trail, or enjoying a summer evening outside, there are so many ways to make the most of this season.

Below are a few ideas for your next Utah adventure.

Pioneer Week is always a little extra patriotic here in Utah. If you're looking for a fun way to celebrate beyond the parades and fireworks, lace up your hiking shoes and head to one of these American flag overlooks. You'll get a great workout, incredible views, and a meaningful destination waiting at the top.

Flag Rock Trail · Farmington
Length: 3.4 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: ~1,380 ft | Time: 2–3 hours | Difficulty: Hard | Modes: Hike • Run
Trailhead: Flag Rock Trailhead, Farmington, UT

If you've never been to Flag Rock, this is the year to check it off your list. It's one of the most recognizable flag hikes in northern Utah, and the views over Davis County and the Great Salt Lake are absolutely worth the climb.

The large American flag was placed as a memorial to those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. In fact, the elevation gain from the trailhead to the flag is about the same height as the Twin Towers, making the hike especially meaningful.

Herriman Fire Memorial Flag
Length: 3.8 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: ~1,118 ft | Time: 1.5–2 hours | Difficulty: Hard | Modes: Hike • Run
Trailhead: Herriman Hills Trailhead, 13400 S, Herriman, UT

This one is a bit of a hidden gem. The trail is short but gets your heart pumping, and once you reach the top you'll be rewarded with a giant American flag and sweeping views across the southwest Salt Lake Valley.

It's a great option if you're looking for a hike you can squeeze into an evening, especially around sunset.

The lake is calling! After plenty of days on the water, I've found a few must-haves that make every lake or pool adventure better. Here's the gear I love and reach for all summer long.

Dry Bag + Waterproof Solar Speaker
Two jobs, one piece of gear: keeps your stuff dry and the playlist going. Shop the dry bag speaker

Babe Boost Clean Energy Drink Packets
Easy hydration for hot days on the water. Shop Babe Boost

Towel Poncho
The lake-day upgrade you didn't know you needed. Shop the towel poncho

Wet Swimsuit Bag
No more soggy tote bags on the drive home. Shop the wet bag

Swimsuit Top · Shop the top |  Swimsuit Bottoms · Shop the bottoms
The suit that actually stays put through a day of paddleboarding.

Mahjong is becoming the newest way women across Utah are gathering, connecting, and having fun.

The American version of the classic Chinese tile game is exploding in popularity, with groups popping up all over the state. The appeal? A little strategy, a little competition, and a whole lot of connection.

Tara Hale, co-founder of Mahjong Hive, says the game started as a simple way to get people together.

"We wanted to play bunco, and we couldn't get a group together. And then I had seen lots of stuff about Mahjong," she said.

After learning the basics, Hale and her friends quickly became hooked and started teaching others. While the game can feel overwhelming at first, she says the fun comes when everything starts to click.

"In 101 it's almost like you're looking at a foreign language and you're just like, 'What's happening?' But when you come to 102, things kind of click."

For Hale, that's the magic of Mahjong.

The new happy hour? Sunrise hour. Across Salt Lake, more women are swapping late nights for early starts with morning runs, trail meetups, early paddleboard sessions at the lake, and outdoor workouts. Groups like Salt Lake City Track Club are bringing people together for regular morning runs, while coffee run communities like Loki Coffee and Salty Star Run Club are creating that "move first, connect after" energy.

So we have to ask —

I love to play tennis and pickleball, but this summer, my family found a new way to enjoy the game during a trip to Bear Lake: pickleball volleyball.

We set up a volleyball net, grabbed our paddles, and created a whole new version of the game. The rules are simple: just like volleyball, each team gets three hits to get the pickleball back over the net, and you can't hit it twice in a row. We played to 11 with rally scoring, so you could earn a point whether you were serving or not.

The best part? Everyone could play. Kids, adults, and even my 80-year-old parents joined in. It was competitive, hilarious, and a great way to get everyone moving together.

If you're looking for other ways to mix things up, try games like PaddleSmash or Crossnet Pickleball, which combines the fun of volleyball with the skills of pickleball in a portable setup.

Whether it's at the lake, in the backyard, or on a camping trip, pickleball is proving it's more than just a court sport. It's a way to bring people together, get active, and create summer memories with friends and family.

Mindy @Summit & Sage