On a previous snowshoe outing at Sundance, I had spied a brochure inside the yurt advertising the night owling: “Experience the solitude of a Mt. Timpanogos winter landscape. We’ll call for owls and learn about wildlife in winter.” -“Great,” I thought! This sounded amazing. I have stood on a mountaintop at night and watched the views change almost instantly as the moon rises and the sun sets. However, nothing I envisioned from the ad and flyer spoke adequately enough to the serenity and beauty of the moonlit time I shared at Mt. Timpanogos.

This night-life adventure is geared for all ages and all levels of physical activity! I even took my mom with me!

Snowshoes are incredibly comfortable and easy to walk in. And, whereas typically cross-country ski lanes are off-limits to snowshoers, because the owling expedition is after-hours, the owling hike consists of walking about a mile on the well-groomed, wide, and comfortable cross-country ski lanes-making the whole hike very comfortable and at a beginner’s level. This is definitely a hike appropriate for any child old enough or any adult young enough to wear snowshoes.

In fact, the Nordic Center has snowshoes small enough to fit about a size 9 child’s shoe (approximately size 26 ski boot). Even my four-year old comfortably and easily snowshoed! The Nordic Center even has two children’s pull-chariots (like wagons on skis) available for those too young to ski (be sure to call ahead if you would like to reserve one of the chariots!). This is a great family activity; a great date night; or a great solo adventure!

The Sundance Nordic Center is about a mile-and-a-half up the canyon from the actual Sundance Ski Resort and parking. So, when you go, do not turn in to the resort; keep driving along the mountain road. After 6 or 7 switchbacks you will come to a sign that reads Nordic Center. Turn left there and continue following the road. On a snowy day, I recommend 4WD. Follow this turn-off road until you come to a fork in the road. Stay right and then stay right again (occasionally the signs are covered by snow). At the next-and last-fork in the road, turn left. You’ll see the Nordic Center Yurt, half hidden by snow drifts, blowing smoke next to a wide parking area.

We were the first ones in the parking lot, and so, for a moment, we had the starry night and moonlit sky to ourselves. Those few quiet moments by ourselves made the expedition worth it before the owling had even begun! I had a few “STAR” sightings of my own-Orion, the big dipper-the clear sky was beautiful and lit only by the faint moonlight atop the mountain.

After arriving, we bundled up into all of our layers. When you go, be sure to dress warm! Toe warmers and hand warmers are a good idea to keep young toes and hands cozy!

Next we headed into the Nordic Center yurt, where Nate Hawkes, an Orem resident and the snowshoe and cross-country ski specialist for our expedition, greeted us.

The yurt atmosphere is comfortable and warm. Rustic, inviting couches and wooden benches sit in front of a cheery corner fire. Snacks, hot drinks, clothing selections and additional outdoor accessories and gear are available for purchase. Snowshoes and cross-country skis are available for rental. Ski staff will also do repairs, give lessons, and serve as guides. The Nordic Center staff is friendly and eager to answer questions and share their love of Sundance and the opportunities it affords for enjoying nature.

As we sat down to prepare for the owling presentation, I asked Nate what he likes best about the Sundance Nordic Center and its programs: “Definitely the natural beauty.” Nate told me that the week before my visit the U.S. Salomon racing team was in Utah training for a competition and paid the Nordic Center a visit. After just 2-3 hours on the well-groomed trails, Nate said that the team remarked that it was the highlight of their season.

I can understand why–the Nordic Center is nestled along the side of Timpanogos Mountain, far enough away from the regular resort to offer over 6 miles of pristine and private snowshoe trails and 12 miles of cross-country ski trails, yet close enough to share the same name and access to Sundance amenities.

I have to agree with Nate that “The natural beauty here can’t be beaten!”

And, although I have often enjoyed Sundance during the daytime hours, the soft veil of the moonlight hushed my normal pace and seemed to create for me the reminder that this mountain is shared not just by skiers and movie stars, but by even longer-time residents-one of whom we were seeking audience tonight: the saw-whet owl.

Nate, my mom, and I were soon joined by several Sundance guests who were registered for the activity. In fact, I was surprised that my mom and I were the only local guests. According to Anita, guests are often Sundance lodgers who find out about the program. I sat by Constantine and Elizabeth Limberakis from Chicago, first-time Sundance guests. Elizabeth and Constantine are the parents of twins and were vacationing for the first time in Utah. They wanted to snowshoe to “try something different. We’ve never snowshoed looking for owls before. It’s just so gorgeous here, so serene, … so great to be close to nature.” Other guests came from North Carolina, Texas, and Los Angeles.

Our night-owling adventure begins with a presentation by Patty Richards, a wildlife rehabilitator from Great Basin Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Palmyra, Utah. Patty started her own business several years ago rehabilitating animals and seeking to create awareness about injured animals. Patty is currently rehabilitating over 40 birds, including the two owls she brought as our guests: Otis and Moonshine. Patty rehabilitates both of these owls with educational permits from the State of Utah. Sometimes, when an injured bird is rehabilitated, they become “imprinted,” which means they are too adapted to humans to be released into the wild. Both of Patty’s owls are imprints raised by rehabilitators, who came to Patty after not being able to be released.

Patty brought out Moonshine first-what a beautiful creature. Soft, white, and quiet, Moonshine is a barn owl. Several times he fluttered wide open his wings to the “ooh and aah” of the Sundance guests.

Then Patty introduced Otis-a flammulated owl about 6 inches tall. Otis had big eyes that peered around at his onlookers. Both owls were calm and undisturbed by the occasional flash of a camera or buzz of excitement. Otis held a particularly good photo shoot, turning his large, round head at just the right times to capture his wide brown eyes.

(My kids would have loved this! If your children love animals and having an up-close and personal experience, consider taking them on this night-owling adventure).

At the conclusion of Patty’s presentation, Nate and Anita helped us into snowshoes and prepared us to go with our owling guide, wildlife biologist Merrill Webb.

I would go on this snowshoe adventure again just for another opportunity to walk and talk with Merrill. As current president of the Utah Birders’ Association, Merrill is an authority on birds in Utah. Merrill is a much respected and enjoyed former science teacher from Provo High School whose love of birding has reached out to influence many of his students. In fact, two of his former students now work as ornithology professors at universities both here in Utah and in California. As program director, Anita, puts it, “Merrill is well-loved. He is an earnest and sincere biology teacher. He travels the world for bird sightings, and he knows so much about owls.”

Merrill joined the Sundance program several years ago, and 5 or 6 times a year is up on Mt. Timpanogos to try his hand at calling the owls. Equipped with a tape recorder, dvd player, and sound magnifier, Merrill led us to several key points along the groomed trails to see if he could “call” an owl.

Merrill explained that we were calling “saw-whet” owls-small owls with brown and black feathers, a small black bill, and yellow eyes that make a series of whistled clicks.

The moonlit night was dark and silent, except for the crunch of our snowshoes, and even that became silent as Merrill paused to open his pack and prepare the owl calling sounds. Overhead a buzzing plane, and through the trees our “click, click, click, whooo” owl call were the only disturbers of the quiet night. We eagerly waited with Merrill, listening for a response… Click, click, click whooo.. Click click, click, whooo.. and then, quietly, from a distance… we heard an owl softly screeching back.

We turned on our flashlights (good idea to bring one!), hoping to spot the owl, but without luck! A few more tries, a few yards farther, and we reached the end of our trek.

Walking back down the mountain, I took opportunity to ask Merrill a few more questions. His love for nature, for the mountains, and especially for birds was evident. We didn’t talk long before I had decided that birding is a great way to build a family’s appreciation of nature.

Our group returned to the yurt, rejuvenated and filled (nature does that for you!). Nate, Anita, and Merrill answered a few more questions, we returned our snowshoes, and we were ready to head back to our cars.

Before we drove off, I took a moment to take a last look at the quiet, starry sky, thankful for the serenity of the best Sundance “night-life.”

ADVENTURE TIME!

Experience the solitude of the Mt. Timpanogos winter landscape at Sundance. Join Merrill Webb, President of the Utah Birder’s Association and the helpful Sundance Nordic Center staff for an evening of education and nature appreciation as you learn how to call for owls and understand the Sundance winter wildlife. Children and adults of all ages, even those with little outdoor experience will enjoy the adventure.

There are only two additional sessions scheduled for the 2008 season: Friday, February 22, and Friday, March 14. REGISTER early because groups are held to the cozy number of 15! Cost is $30 and includes a guide, snowshoe rental, and trail use.

Call the Sundance Nordic Cross Country Center at 801-223-4170 or visit www.sundanceresort.com for more information and reservations.

IF YOU GO:

Plan to call ahead and schedule your reservations and check on the weather and snowshoe conditions (801-223-4170). Some weather conditions necessitate four-wheel-drive! Visit www.sundanceresort.com for additional resort information.

WHAT TO BRING:

• warm clothes (dress in layers!)

• flashlight (you will actually walk in the moonlight, but there are a few times when a flashlight is helpful when trying to spot the owls)

• toe warmers; hand warmers (I didn’t use these, but for children and those prone to cold toes, they are always handy!)

• camera (a must! You will want pictures of wildlife rehabilitator Patty Richards’ beautiful owls).

• extra pairs of gloves for those kids who seem to always get snow in theirs!

MAKE YOUR ADVENTURE KID-COOL:

• Take a bathroom trip before you get your gear on and head out the door. • Dress in layers. Make sure kids wear plenty of layers (tights, thermals, sweats/fleece pants, snow pants; thermal shirt, long sleeve shirt, sweater or fleece shirt, winter coat). Layering provides the best warmth. Always wear a hat. Heat is best preserved by having your head covered.

• Pace yourself according to the slowest member. Plan to go as fast as your youngest children. Play it safe and let older children who want to go ahead walk ahead as long as they remain in sight.

• Bring a flashlight. Really, there is plenty of moonlight. However, I was glad for a flashlight. If you are bringing a child on a night hike, you might consider attaching a glow-stick necklace or wristband (you can buy these at almost any dollar store). This helps you keep track of which child is yours in the moonlight.

• Use hand warmers and toe warmers!! They are worth the extra bit of change. Warm kids are happy kids in the snow. Insert toe warmers into boots (they adhere to bottom of socks) before putting on snowshoes. Take hand warmers on your hike and use when the kids are starting to get cold!

MORE SNOWSHOE ADVENTURES:

• Sundance Nordic Center also offers group rates, private coaching, and special events. Contact the Nordic Center director for special offerings.

• Want to hike under the full moonfi Sundance offers Full Moon Snowshoeing until 9:00 p.m. only a few times a year. The next available dates are February 20th and 21st and March 20th and 21st. Trail passes and snowshoe rentals are buy 1 get 1 FREE on these dates!! You may want to bring your own headlamp as no artificial lighting is allowed.

Call the Public Lands Information Center (801-466-6411) or check out their website, www.cottonwoodscanyons.org, for helpful information on the best snowshoe trails for your party’s ages and abilities and the current weather conditions.