The desert called, and we went. On a weeklong trip to Arch Canyon in Utah’s Bears’ Ears, we explored side canyons, posed for photos, and caught a couple of all-time sunsets.

Inside Backpacker Magazine’s 2019 Utah Trip

On the hike to our base camp, we were loaded down with a week’s worth of supplies and plenty of gear to test.

With nighttime temperatures cold enough to freeze the water inside our hydration bladders, we spent a lot of time gathered around the fire to stay warm.

Leaving your cozy tent in the morning can be tough.

Proof that dogs are a hiker’s best friend: Freelance writer Morgan Sjogren and her dog Phil cuddle up atop a ledge overlooking the canyons. 

Tent: $400 Boots: $200 That glorious moment when the sun finally rose over our campsite in the morning: Priceless

Get up high, and the vast scale of the canyons unveils itself.

Shady oases made prime spots for snack breaks.

There are spots in the canyons where the sun rarely hits, resulting in large patches of ice. We took full advantage.

Don’t forget to stop and smell the desert wildflowers.

There was no shortage of views on this trip. Looking up, we could see the magnificent bedrock formations, and looking down, the flourishing desert plant growth.