It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Duck Creek Water Tower gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Duck Creek Village, UT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Emily and I (Nolan) are very grateful you all gave us the opportunity to work”
“I have used this company for a few of my residents. They take such good”
“I can’t say enough about Always Best Care. Henry and his staff was there from”
“They were wonderful watching my husband why I had to work stayed right with him”
“I work with Always Best Care and it's been an amazing experience for me. I”
“Amazing staff! I am so glad to have found Always Best Care, it is a”
“I’m so glad we found Always Best Care to help our family take care of”
“I have used the services of Always Best Care since Sept. 2021. I have been”
“Always Best Care is amazing! All of the caregivers are professional and provide the best”
“Great staff. Working around my schedule and always there when I need them.”
“Always best care has the most genuine team I’ve ever seen. They go above and”
“Always best care has the most genuine team I’ve ever seen. They go above and”
“They really care about their clients and staff, fast turnaround and superb care”
“The owners and staff at Always Best Care are so professional and friendly! With aging”
“The staff are exceptional and truly have their patients best interest in mind. Grateful to”
“Always Best Care Senior Services have organized and caring faculty and staff. They genuinely care”
“Great place to work. They are very helpful and also fast to respond to any”
“I'm so happy to have Always Best Care as a resource for us when we”
“Great to work with, caring, compassionate and willing to work with different situations! They take”
“The caregivers and staff at Always Best Care of St George are top notch. I”
“I'm so happy to have Always Best Care as a resource for us when we”
“Friendly and knowledgeable staff!”
“Emily and I (Nolan) are very grateful you all gave us the opportunity to work here. We had excellent experiences with management, caregivers, and our clients. We are thankful for your patience with our schedules and experience. We have learned a lot from being here, and we hope that our experiences from being here can be for our future benefit. We’d recommend working at ABC to our friends because of the great experiences we’ve had her. Emily and Nolan”
“I have used this company for a few of my residents. They take such good care of their clients and do such a good job at taking the time with each and every one of them. They go above and beyond for their clients. I’d definitely recommend them!”
“I can’t say enough about Always Best Care. Henry and his staff was there from the start to help me find a sitter. I was in a position where I needed immediate help and they came through. His staff was caring and responsible. They helped me through a very difficult time.”
“They were wonderful watching my husband why I had to work stayed right with him so he didn’t fall”
“I work with Always Best Care and it's been an amazing experience for me. I have learned so much about not only our patients we help, but the compassionate hard working people that are behind it all. I'm so grateful to work with such a caring, kind and helpful company they really do treat you like family❤. Not only are they giving back each day to patients who need them they are kind and caring to their employees as well. I love working for this company!”
“Amazing staff! I am so glad to have found Always Best Care, it is a blessing. I live 300 miles away from my elderly parents and cannot always travel, it’s comforting to know that my parents are in great hands and that I don’t have to worry about them. The staff is well trained and the management goes above and beyond to meet your needs. I think of them as angels in disguise!”
“I’m so glad we found Always Best Care to help our family take care of my grandpa! They have been amazing to work with. It’s such a relief to find a company that has open communication and cares about their clients and the clients family, too!”
“I have used the services of Always Best Care since Sept. 2021. I have been very pleased with the attentive care they have given my husband. They have been flexible, accommodating, and gone the extra mile helping with my husband's needs. As an example, I was away for the day and I was called by the caregiver that my husband was not doing well. I came home and we decided to take him to the emergency room. The caregiver came with us and stayed at the hospital for hours. He was released with the medication he needed for his recovery and she helped bring him home and get him settled before she left. This was way into the night and passed her normal working hours. One of my requests before hiring on a Senior Service was that the caregivers enjoyed their job and enjoyed working with challenging patients. I use their service six days a week and every caregiver has been kind, compassionate, and hard working. I really have been pleased.”
“Always Best Care is amazing! All of the caregivers are professional and provide the best care. I have tried multiple different agencies in the area for help with my grandmother and none have been as attentive and helpful as ABC”
“Great staff. Working around my schedule and always there when I need them.”
“Always best care has the most genuine team I’ve ever seen. They go above and beyond providing amazing care for the elderly with the help of trustworthy caregivers! They work as a team which makes the environment of there company so unique. Thank you always best care you have been amazing.”
“Always best care has the most genuine team I’ve ever seen. They go above and beyond providing amazing care for the elderly with the help of trustworthy caregivers! They work as a team which makes the environment of there company so unique. Thank you always best care you have been amazing.”
“They really care about their clients and staff, fast turnaround and superb care”
“The owners and staff at Always Best Care are so professional and friendly! With aging parents, it’s so nice to have the staff here to step in and help with caring for them. They are able to set everything up so quickly and provide the care when we need it! We are so happy we found out about them!!”
“The staff are exceptional and truly have their patients best interest in mind. Grateful to have found a company that will care for my loved ones in a way I would myself. Thank you!!!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services have organized and caring faculty and staff. They genuinely care for their clients and want to help them in the best way possible. We are so happy with the services they provide.”
“Great place to work. They are very helpful and also fast to respond to any questions that I have. Thank you ABC!”
“I'm so happy to have Always Best Care as a resource for us when we need more help with our aging parents. The office staff and owners are very professional and kind and they seem to be extremely careful in hiring staff that reflect the same values. I feel safe in trusting the caregivers. It's a huge relief to know that we have someone else who can help fill in when we can't be there or our parents just need more help than we can give.”
“Great to work with, caring, compassionate and willing to work with different situations! They take time to understand needs to accommodate the best way to help! They are trustworthy, dependable and a business you can count on!!????”
“The caregivers and staff at Always Best Care of St George are top notch. I highly recommend them for in home senior care services!”
“I'm so happy to have Always Best Care as a resource for us when we need more help with our aging parents. The office staff and owners are very professional and kind and they seem to be extremely careful in hiring staff that reflect the same values. I feel safe in trusting the caregivers. It's a huge relief to know that we have someone else who can help fill in when we can't be there or our parents just need more help than we can give.”
“Friendly and knowledgeable staff!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Lava Flat Designated Dispersed Camping Area (recgovnpsdata) with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local DC Pub & Grill or visit Duck Creek Ice Cave, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Duck Creek Village, UT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Duck Creek Village, UT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Duck Creek Village, UT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Hiking Southern Utah: Virgin River Rim TrailBy Bo Beck and Tanya MilliganDay hike: Yes Distance: 8.25 miles one-way with shuttle setup. If you would like a shorter hike, some of the more interesting landmarks can be seen at about the 3.5-mile mark. Average hiking time: Six hours Equipment: The best map to purchase for this hike is “Cedar Mountain/Pine Valley Mountain” from National Geographic Trails Illustrated. Difficulty:...
By Bo Beck and Tanya Milligan
Day hike: Yes Distance: 8.25 miles one-way with shuttle setup. If you would like a shorter hike, some of the more interesting landmarks can be seen at about the 3.5-mile mark. Average hiking time: Six hours Equipment: The best map to purchase for this hike is “Cedar Mountain/Pine Valley Mountain” from National Geographic Trails Illustrated. Difficulty: Moderate hiking, but the last section back to your vehicle is steep after hiking all day. Trail-Head: Cascade Falls Trailhead near Navajo Lake Trail-End: Strawberry Ridge Trail access: Dirt roads can be impassable if wet Elevation at Trail-Head: 9,000 feet Elevation at Trail-End: 9,000 feet Off the beaten path: Yes Best season: Spring, fall, and summer.
Virgin River Rim Trail is broken down into three shorter hiking trails: Dry Valley to Strawberry Ridge, Cascade Falls Trailhead to Te-ah Trailhead, and Te-ah Trailhead to Webster Flat Road. The section of the Virgin River Rim Trail we cover in this write-up begins at Dry Valley (Cow Lake) and ends at Strawberry Ridge (Strawberry Point), taking hikers to 9,000 feet and a cooler section of southern Utah to enjoy a summer hike among an abundance of evergreen trees, including what is probably the world’s oldest living tree — the bristlecone pine. Surprising acreage along the way contains collections of magnificent hoodoos that pop up quickly and unexpectedly — similar to the occasional mountain biker who can show up suddenly.
This moderately difficult route is one way with a shuttle set up, or it can be done as a lengthy out-and-back without a shuttle. The beaten path follows the rim, showcasing an impressive corner of Dixie National Forest that is found along State Route 14’s Cedar Mountain. Views span beyond the forest to include giant monoliths of Zion National Park. The headwaters of the Virgin River are formed by Cascade Falls (Navajo Lake), a watershed of the southern slopes on this ridge. The trail generally travels in a west-to-east direction ranging as high as 9,300 feet.
To station, a car shuttle at the Strawberry Ridge trailhead, travel 7.75 miles west on SR-14 from the US-89 junction, or 14.75 miles east from the junction of SR-14 and SR-148, which is the short road to Cedar Breaks National Monument. Look for Strawberry Point Road on the south side of SR-14, identified by the valley with homes to the south. Turn south on this dusty dirt thoroughfare and drive 8.5 miles until you come to the Virgin River Rim Trail, which is found on Strawberry Ridge. Park one vehicle at the trailend. To avoid hiking the strenuous uphill section at the end, park at the first Virgin Rim Trail sign.
Return to SR-14 and turn left (west), then drive five miles, passing Duck Creek Village, before turning left on a dirt road where you will see the Cedar Mountain ranger station and visitor center. Follow the dirt road 1.75 miles to the west edge of Dry Valley. Then, when reaching a gravel road, turn left and continue another 1.5 miles to the parking area and shared trailhead for Cascade Falls and the Virgin River Rim Trail.
The trailhead for the Virgin River Rim Trail, traveling east back to Strawberry Point, is on the south side of the parking lot. Initially, several switchbacks wind up the hillside through a forest of fir and aspen for a half-mile before you will come to the rim. The view from here overlooks multitudes of drainages that make up the watershed for the North Fork of the Virgin River. Both young and ancient bristlecone pines intermittently peak from the forest floor alongside the trail. At 1.6 miles, the path veers from the rim for a short time and once again winds into the forest. The hiking so far has been fairly level except for the gain of the rim in the beginning of the trek. At mile 1.8, the dirt path crosses a service road and signs keep hikers on the main trail.
At 2.75 miles, there are more road crossings, and at 3 miles is Lars Fork. Just another half-mile further brings the trail back to the rim and to an amphitheater of interesting hoodoos. Locals call this amphitheater the “Cat’s Den.” One prominent hoodoo at the bottom looks like a cat sitting on its haunches, and a window is obvious farther down into the alcove. The cat’s den is definitely one of, if not the, highlight of the hike. This is a good place to stop and have a snack and soak in the beauty of the limestone formations and the grand views to the south of Zion National Park.
The next 3.75 miles on the well-groomed trail meander back and forth through the delightful forest, sporadically touching the rim until it finally dives into and follows a drainage to the development below in Strawberry Creek. Crossing the road and tiptoeing across a marshy area of Strawberry Creek soon finds the trail underfoot again and the uphill mile through the woods. If you stationed a vehicle here, you are done. If you parked at the upper sign, hoof up the hill to get in that last bit of exercise. Crossing the road at the top of the ridge means that the shuttle vehicle and cold drinks await just around the next corner.
Information by Zion search and rescue veteran team member and Desert Rat Outdoor Store manager Bo Beck as well as zionnational-park.com author and owner of the Best Western East Zion Thunderbird Lodge in Mt. Carmel Junction, Tanya Milligan.
A big surprise that many students encounter when they first come to Southern Utah University is how much snow Cedar City gets in the winter. Even though it’s only an hour’s drive from sunny St. George, Cedar City gets around 110 inches of snow per year during the colder months of November to March. While the wintertime can be a bit dreary, it’s easy to remedy that by taking advantage of the winter wonderland outside! There are lots of things to do in the winter in Cedar City, but one of the most enjoyable activities is sled...
A big surprise that many students encounter when they first come to Southern Utah University is how much snow Cedar City gets in the winter. Even though it’s only an hour’s drive from sunny St. George, Cedar City gets around 110 inches of snow per year during the colder months of November to March. While the wintertime can be a bit dreary, it’s easy to remedy that by taking advantage of the winter wonderland outside! There are lots of things to do in the winter in Cedar City, but one of the most enjoyable activities is sledding. Here are six of the best places to hit the hills around town.
Canyon View High School
This high school has a fun hill for people to go sledding on during a snow day. Canyon View High School is located at 166 W 1925 N.
Fiddler’s Canyon Elementary School
The hills behind Fiddler’s Canyon Elementary School are another great local place to go sledding on a snowy afternoon. This fun sledding location is situated just off of North Main Street.
Brian Head Tubing
While Brian Head Resort is known for its beautiful skiing and snowboarding slopes, the resort is also available for snow tubing fun for the whole family! Located a tenth of a mile from Brian Head’s Big Steps, the mountain stands at a whopping 9,600 feet above sea level and gets up to 360 inches of snow annually. The best thing about dropping 100 vertical feet in a tenth of a mile? Snowtubers can ride the magic carpet back up the mountainside. Tickets are $25 per person per 1.5 hours. More information can be found on their website.
Wood’s Ranch Park
A mere 11 miles east of Cedar City, Cedar Canyon, Wood’s Ranch is nestled in a beautiful forest of aspens and pines. During the winter months, sledding is a popular activity at Wood’s Ranch. Keep in mind that temperatures around that area drop below 69% of other areas on record.
Pine Valley
Tucked away in a little valley just over an hour southwest of Cedar City, Pine Valley is a beautiful town surrounded by the Pine Valley Mountains. In the winter, visit Pine Valley for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or sledding! Check out the Pine Valley recreation site for more.
Duck Creek
In the crisp mountain air at 8,400 feet sits Duck Creek Village, about 30 miles east of Cedar City. Sledding and snow tubing in the winter are two of the most popular recreational activities at Duck Creek, and there are plenty of places to go! Warm up afterward by checking out some of the many restaurants in this beautiful little town.
Sledding with family and friends is one of the best activities to beat the winter blues and get outside! Remember that while sledding can be fun, it’s important to stay safe–this means bundling up to beat the cold and having small children wear helmets for safety. Happy sledding!
ST. GEORGE — Imagine walking down a paved trail at twilight when the bushes rustle. A surfeit of skunks bustles across the pavement in a line, momentarily gathering in a bunch before disappearing again into a dark thicket on the other side. Watching Southern Utah’s wildlife can create feelings of awe, hilarity and surprise.“Any time you’re outdoors, you may have the opportunity to see some of the state’s over 600 wildlife species, so keep your eyes peeled,” the Visit Utah ...
ST. GEORGE — Imagine walking down a paved trail at twilight when the bushes rustle. A surfeit of skunks bustles across the pavement in a line, momentarily gathering in a bunch before disappearing again into a dark thicket on the other side. Watching Southern Utah’s wildlife can create feelings of awe, hilarity and surprise.
“Any time you’re outdoors, you may have the opportunity to see some of the state’s over 600 wildlife species, so keep your eyes peeled,” the Visit Utah website states.
Where and when Southern Utahns venture for wildlife viewing opportunities depends on what they’re searching for, said Adam Kavalunas, a conservation outreach manager with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
“Southern Utah actually has some really good birding areas like all along the Virgin River — a lot of diversity of species of small songbirds along there,” he told St. George News.
Songbirds begin singing before dawn, especially near rivers, creeks and streams, and become less active as the day warms, Kavalunas said. But they return to the skies to trill and flit about in the cool evenings.
Those interested in viewing pronghorn, also known as American antelope, can do so near Duck Creek on Mammoth Creek Road or near John’s Valley near Bryce Canyon National Park.
Pronghorn are typically out grazing in lush mountain meadows midday, and Kavalunas said he saw about a dozen cross the road near Mammoth Creek one afternoon.
Deer and elk have moved to higher elevations for summer grazing and are most likely to be seen in the morning or evening, Kavalunas said.
Mountain goats, a “really cool species,” can be found in the Tushar Mountains above Beaver.
However, with heavy snowpack, the road is likely closed and could remain so for a few weeks. So, Kavalunas suggests trekking up the mountainside in early August to reach Big John Flat. There, would-be viewers can scour the peaks, ridges and hillsides where the goats are often observed.
Desert bighorn sheep are frequently seen in Zion National Park, particularly near its east entrance, Kavalunas said. During their rutting season in August, rams can be seen “following groups of ewes around, and you can actually hear them butt heads. And it sounds like a gunshot.”
“It’s really loud,” he said. “It’s really cool and you know the sheep in the park are pretty used to people, so just drive in on the roads. There are a lot of times they’ll just be feeding near the road, and people can stop and look at them.”
Other creatures inhabiting Zion National Park include foxes, rock squirrels, bats, cougars, ringtail cats and coyotes. According to Visit Utah, many of the park’s 68 mammal species are nocturnal and best seen at night; however, “you may even be able to see signs of their nighttime outings, such as tracks and scat.”
Many animals, such as jackrabbits, cottontails, herons, antelope squirrels, foxes and skunks, can be found along the Virgin River Trail in St. George and similar trails adjacent to waterways throughout Southern Utah.
How to have a successful trip
Would-be wildlife observers will have the most luck in the morning and evening, especially in the summer, partly because the temperature is lower at those times, Kavalunas said.
Trekkers should pack a pair of binoculars or a spotting scope with a sturdy tripod, particularly if they plan to seek out mountain goats or other species likely to be viewed from a distance.
“(Mountain goats) are fairly easy to spot because they’re just a bright, white dot on a green hillside, but oftentimes they’re a mile or two or three away,” Kavalunas said.
Individuals should pack water, snacks and a first-aid kit, he added. Before trekking out, people should also dress for the area they plan to visit.
For instance, those searching for pika will need sturdy shoes and clothing as the talus they inhabit is hard and can be sharp, DWR biologist Barbara Sugarman told St. George News last year.
People can keep themselves and the animals safe by keeping their distance and not feeding wildlife, Kavalunas said. Individuals should stay on designated trails and roadways and never follow or harass wildlife.
“They are still wild, and they’re unpredictable,” he said.
Hikers should stay alert outdoors to avoid confrontations with rattlesnakes and various local predators, like cougars. Rattlers are often confused with nonvenomous gopher snakes, St. George News reported previously.
While bites are uncommon, they can be dangerous, so it is a good idea to check rocky areas, under ledges and other locations where the snakes could hide. These and other reptiles are commonly seen sunning in early or late hours of the day but often hide from the blistering afternoon sun.
Additionally, wildlife watchers should respect private property, Kavalunas said. For instance, if a person sees a burrowing owl in a field, they will need permission from the landowner to trek into the area.
For more information about watching wildlife in Utah, visit the DWR’s Discover tab. They also compiled a list of accessible destinations for those with disabilities here. Additionally, the DWR and other organizations regularly host wildlife viewing events, such as a mountain goat watch in August.
Red Cliffs Desert Reserve provides information about local species here. Individuals can also find nearby plants and animals using iNaturalist or the DWR’s field guide.
For more information on how to stay safe around wildlife, readers can visit Wild Aware Utah’s website.
Those interested in attending wildlife viewing or other events can check the Utah DWR’s Facebook page or calendar, as well as the calendars for Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument.
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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.
Road Trip Time! Spring is on it's way and longer days are coming soon. Yay!!!! Spring Fever is in full force. Seasonal depression is gonna be kicked to the curb. I am due for a good road trip. I get some delicious snacks and plenty of water and head out on the road to literally ANYWHERE.We have some gorgeous terrain in Utah and there is never enough time to see it all.U.S. Route 89 is the longest road in Utah. It is a north-south United States Highway spanning more than 502 miles...
Road Trip Time! Spring is on it's way and longer days are coming soon. Yay!!!! Spring Fever is in full force. Seasonal depression is gonna be kicked to the curb. I am due for a good road trip. I get some delicious snacks and plenty of water and head out on the road to literally ANYWHERE.
We have some gorgeous terrain in Utah and there is never enough time to see it all.
U.S. Route 89 is the longest road in Utah. It is a north-south United States Highway spanning more than 502 miles through the central part of the state. Between Provo and Brigham City, US-89 is sometimes parallel to I-15 and is used as a local frontage road or it joins I-15 for portions of the drive. But from Arizona up north to Provo and from Brigham City northeast to Wyoming it stands as it's own road.
US-89 starts at the bottom of Utah inside the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, just north of the Glen Canyon Dam. It crosses the Colorado River near Page, Arizona.
US-89 stays near the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument and then over to Kanab, US-89 meets up with the north end of US-89A which is an alternate route south into Arizona, and then turns a sharp north and begins climbing the staircase. You can see sights like The Vermilion Cliffs near Kanab, White Cliffs, head to Zion National Park and then on into the Sevier Valley.
You can choose to connect to other state roads and check out Bryce Canyon National Park and drive through beautiful towns like Circleville & Marysvale on up to Manti, Ephraim, Mount Pleasant and Fairview. US-89 travels all though some great canyons, along rivers and shows off some of the most beautiful areas of Utah.
Another thing to check out is near the area of Thistle Creek/ Fairview junction with US-6, there is a ghost town flooded by a landslide in 1983. I definitely want to put that on my list to check out!
What are your favorite places in Utah? Let me know and I will compile a complete list of MUST-STOPS for your summer road trips. Send Ideas to aaronee@townsquaremedia.com
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Here Are The Most Irish Cities in Utah
Do you have the Luck o' the Irish? No worries if you don't, you can use some of mine. I am of Irish decent on both sides of my family. My paternal great- grandma was Verna Rawle Carrigan, who's family hailed from Carbury, County Kildare, Ireland.
And on my mother's side the Irish ancestry can be traced back as far back as the year 549 to King Ainmercach of Ireland. Whoa!
If you want to celebrate in style this St Patrick's Day and you are looking for the largest gathering of Irish, then look no further then these Utah Cities.
Here are the top ten most Irish cities in Utah, per capita.
1. Duck Creek Village, Utah # of People- 94 or 21.87%
2. Ibapah, Utah # of People- 128 or 15.38%
3. Junction, Utah # of People- 100 or 14.14%
4. Jensen, Utah # of People- 727 or 14.13%
5. Wallsburg, Utah # of People- 707 or 13.33%
6. Echo, Utah # of People- 73 or 12.74%
7. Moab, Utah # of People- 8,506 or 11.93%
8. Emery, Utah # of People- 355 or 11.45%
9. Kenilworth, Utah # of People- 195 or 11.17%
10. Park Valley, Utah # of People- 270 or 10.96%
Check out how many more southern Utah cities are in the top 100!
Southern Utah cleans up at this game. Cedar City and St George are full of us Irish. Those 2 cities have the highest numbers of Irish in the state!
13. Toquerville, Utah # of People- 349 or 10.19%
14. Park City, Utah # of People- 20,632 or 10.03%
19. Escalante, Utah # of People- 971 or 9.53%
20. Lake Powell, Utah # of People- 134 or 9.47%
22. Kanab, Utah # of People- 4,777 or 9.23%
26. Virgin, Utah # of People- 626 or 8.81%
28. Veyo, Utah # of People- 724 or 8.64%
29. Parowan, Utah # of People- 2,680 or 8.43%
32. Koosharem, Utah # of People- 294 or 8.01%
43. Enterprise, Utah # of People- 1,472 or 7.27%
46. Orderville, Utah # of People- 533 or 7.10%
47. Paragonah, Utah # of People- 652 or 7.08%
51. Marysvale, Utah # of People- 467 or 7.02%
57. Gunlock, Utah # of People- 253 or 6.69%
59. Ivins, Utah # of People- 4,325 or 6.62%
61. Cedar City, Utah # of People- 29,204 or 6.58%
62. New Harmony, Utah # of People- 875 or 6.53%
68. Panguitch, Utah # of People- 2,054 or 6.37%
70. Hurricane, Utah # of People- 12,473 or 6.31%
79. Central, Utah # of People- 489 or 5.93%
84. La Verkin, Utah # of People- 3,396 or 5.80%
85. Salt Lake City, Utah # of People- 567,641 or 5.75%
86. Tropic, Utah # of People- 514 or 5.73%
93. Washington, Utah # of People- 8,641 or 5.64%
97. St George, Utah # of People- 51,535 or 5.54% My People! Straight up invasion.
Find the whole list of top 100 here: http://zipatlas.com/us/ut/city-comparison/percentage-irish-population.htm
A few weeks ago ...
A few weeks ago we asked you to tell us the most "underrated" parks in Utah.
Here are some of your picks:
Bear Lake State Park: Reader Zach A. provided our only northern Utah recommendation, which is becoming more popular as summers get hotter.
Cedar Breaks National Monument: We agree with Chris M. and other readers who pointed to the whole area near S.R. 14 southeast of Cedar City, where the green forests meet red rock on the Markagunt Plateau.
Casto Canyon: About an hour from Cedar Breaks, this pick from reader Colt S. is "a miniature Bryce Canyon that you spend infinite time in and never see another person."
Dinosaur National Monument: Dig up your childhood dinosaur obsession and set it free. If you go in early summer, the wildflowers should be great this year.
Escalante Petrified Forest State Park: A hidden gem that reader Mike R. suggested in Garfield County — which also puts you near some of the state's best slot canyons.
Fremont Indian State Park: It's a great place to view ancient rock art and ruins.
Goblin Valley: The San Rafael Swell's answer to Bryce Canyon has fantastic mushroom-like formations — and yurts for glamping.
Gunlock State Park: This is the spring to go, reader Shelbi P. recommended, with the record snow providing a rare chance to see waterfalls flowing.
White Wash Sand Dunes: While best known as Green River's OHV playground, there are lots of trails and roads through red rock, cottonwood forests and even bighorn sheep.
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