Riding the Bear Lake Overlook

There’s a certain kind of cold that doesn’t bite, it just perks you up.

Logan Canyon in October held that kind of chill. Crisp. Clean. The kind that seeps through your gloves just enough to remind you you’re alive, but not enough to send you back to the car. The aspens were turning, flashes of yellow threading through dark pine. Fall at elevation always feels like a quiet celebration before winter takes over.

Vance, our friend Christine and I booked the 3-hour ride with Logan Canyon Horseback Riding, a local outfitter that has been guiding guests through these mountains for over 30 years. Founded by Bryan Lundahl in 1991 while he was a student at Utah State, what started as a way to pay tuition became a lifetime pursuit of sharing mountain trails on horseback. There’s something comforting about riding with people who’ve spent decades in the saddle. You can feel the experience in the way they match you with a horse, adjust your stirrups, and send you up the trail with quiet confidence.

Back in the Saddle

The rhythm of the horse beneath me. The creak of leather. The steady sway as we climbed through aspen groves toward the ridge.

There was a season when this was my whole world. Horses filled my days and my thoughts. I lived in barns and saddles and sun-faded arenas. In my teens and early twenties, I was fortunate enough to ride almost daily, to be fully immersed in that life.

There are parts of ourselves we tuck away for practicality. Busy seasons, adult responsibilities, schedules and finances. But some parts, they never fully leave.

The Trail to Turquoise

The 3-hour ride is worth it.

This wasn’t a flat nose-to-tail shuffle. The trail winds through groves of aspen and pine, climbs steadily along inclines and descends through rocky sections. You feel like you’re actually going somewhere.

There was flexibility, enough space to feel independent, not just part of a line.

When we reached the ridge, Bear Lake stretched below us in that impossible shade of turquoise, so vibrant it almost looks edited. Known as the “Caribbean of the Rockies,” the color comes from suspended limestone particles that refract the light.

There were moments of silence. Moments of gratitude. Moments where no one needed to say anything at all. Just awe.

Would I Recommend It?

Absolutely.

A few honest notes for anyone considering it:

  • Choose the 3-hour ride. The views at the ridge are the payoff.
  • Wear layers. October was crisp but manageable with gloves and a warm jacket.
  • Be comfortable with inclines and declines. You don’t need to be an expert, but basic fitness helps.
  • The guides are seasoned, the horses steady, and the pace feels intentional, not rushed.

Logan Canyon Horseback Riding operates under a Special Use Permit in the Cache National Forest and has taken tens of thousands of riders through these mountains. This isn’t a gimmicky tourist stop, it’s a tradition.