Why I Moved to Utah: Hiking Brighton with REI Outdoor School

As we say … #UtahIsRad … that’s why I moved to Utah. I took these photos during a hike-and-photo class by REI Outdoor School at Brighton, the ski resort at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake City, Utah.

One of the reasons why I moved to Utah is the mountain are RIGHT HERE.

I run plenty on the road, which I can do anywhere.

But from my new place, I’m 15 minutes (maybe 20) from Parley’s, Millcreek, Big Cottonwood and Little Cottonwood canyons.

Each canyon has dozens of trails. Acres of territory. Streams a plenty. And peaks, peaks, peaks to summit.

Why I Moved to Utah: Video Recap

Ski lifts, messing with perspective, running water, flowers, a mountain lake and friendly chipmunks.

If video doesn’t load below, click here.

Class Highlights

Perspective. Rule of thirds. Composing around a primary object. Lines. Contrast. Color. Get low, shoot hi. Vertical panos. Tell a story. Lighting. Focus.

These are a few of the things I remember.

I shot all these photos and the video with my iPhone 5s using the native camera app and stock lens.

Had a great time with the small crew of six or so in this class. Many thanks to REI. I was with them on Black Friday to #OptOutside and I’m with them now on #UnitedOutside.

A few weeks after class, I went to our hiking route. This time I continued past Lake Mary to see her other two sisters, Lake Martha and Lake Catherine. And then all the way up to Sunset Peak.

I shared three separate images from the peak, but here’s the money shot just for you blog readers (click to view full size):