We're kicking off the weekend with the hottest of takes: Mount Raymond is the best hike in the Wasatch Mountains.

The big picture: There may be better hikes in Utah — but not many.

• Notch Peak, The Subway, and Loop Trail at Natural Bridges are up there.
• And if we include overnight Wasatch hikes, there are arguments for White Pine Lake in Logan Canyon, or Timpanogos (which is too long to recommend as a day hike for most people).

But in our backyard, this is the first hike I'd suggest for any Salt Laker who has the stamina for about 8 miles and more than 3,000 feet elevation gain.

• It was my first hike when I moved here. Step for step, I still haven't found one that tops it.

Here's the theory of the case.

1. The sense of journey

So many beloved Wasatch hikes go straight up and down one steep drainage.

• Lake Blanche, Bell's Canyon, Little Cottonwood's Red and White Pine Lakes, Neff's Canyon — each a stunning destination, but the hike itself isn't much of an adventure.

Mount Raymond is thoroughly epic, with conifer forests giving way to flowering meadows, rocky crags, sweeping vistas and aspen stands so thick they look like the air is absorbing the color of the leaves.

• It feels longer than its miles, but in a good way. There's so much more to remember about the path than just a slog up switchbacks.

2. The mental map

The meandering route makes it one of the best hikes to internalize the geography of the whole area, with views of multiple basins and other peaks you've hiked in the Cottonwoods and Mill Creek Canyon.

• Make it a loop with Dog Lake via the Desolation Trail.

3. The final scramble

Nothing makes me feel an explorer's urgency for the next step like puzzling my way up the rugged cliffs to the summit.

• It's like a jungle gym, but there's little risk of getting lost, unlike Mount Olympus.

Caveat: Friends of mine — including superior athletes — were fearful of the exposure (hiking lingo for the possibility of a big fall).

• Their fears were borne out a few years ago, when a hiker died in a fall after slipping on the rocks here.

If you're uncomfortable, turn back.

4. The view from the top

Take it all in.

Tell us: What do you think is the best hike in the Wasatch? How about the whole state?

• Email your faves and photos to [email protected], and you could be featured in a future newsletter!

Tell a hiker

We caught up with former U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams just moments after his primary win for Utah's newly drawn 1st Congressional District on Tuesday.

State of play: He now faces GOP challenger Riley Owen, an intelligence officer in the Navy Reserve, in November.

Of note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Here's what McAdams told us:

What was the hardest challenge you faced in this primary race?

"Campaigns can get divisive, and for me, I prioritize staying above the fray and really believe that what voters care about is my ideas to help them address the challenges that they're struggling with."

President Trump has been known to retaliate against his political enemies. You voted to impeach him. If elected, how do you plan to work with him?

"When Donald Trump is doing actions that violate the Constitution ... I will be a check on his power. If Zohran Mamdani can work with Donald Trump, then to save the Great Salt Lake, I'll work with him, too."

How do you plan to maintain this momentum heading into November?

"This district is 25% registered Democrat, 35% registered Republican, and the rest are unaffiliated voters that belong to other parties. So nobody's going to win this race in November unless we can build a coalition that crosses party lines."

Read the full interview

🏛️ The highly anticipated Museum of Utah, will hold a grand opening tomorrow from 9am-8pm, with food trucks and live music. (Museum of Utah)

🚫 Gov. Cox issued an emergency order yesterday restricting fireworks statewide through July 5 amid a severe wildfire season exacerbated by record-high winter conditions. (FOX 13)

• Cities can still permit fireworks in designated areas.

💬 "Shark Tank" investor Kevin O' Leary admitted yesterday that he has "no evidence" to support a claim he previously made that critics of the proposed data center development in Box Elder County are funded by the Chinese government. (Salt Lake Tribune)

The weekend is here and there's lots to do in and around Salt Lake City.

🕺 Derek Hough: The "Dancing with the Stars" alum is returning to his hometown for back-to-back performances of his Symphony of Dance: Encore tour at the Eccles Theatre. Tickets

When: 8pm today and tomorrow

🏮 Water Lantern Festival: Create and launch your own lantern with a personalized message at This is the Place Heritage Park. The event will also include live music, food trucks and law games. Tickets

When: 6pm tomorrow

👗 Utah Vintage Fest: This two-day event will feature more than 120 vendors selling everything from clothes to records at Utah State Fairpark. Free admission

When: 11am-5pm tomorrow and Sunday

Tell a friend

SLC's air has been touch and go this week — but Southern Utah is getting absolutely blasted with wildfire smoke, as seen in this apocalyptic image from Goblin Valley State Park.

• If you can't see the hoodoos, it's time to head home.

Check Utah Fire Info for updates, and stay safe.