Written By: Jacob Wessels
Before heading out to tackle the local trails, LEAP Ambassadors set out to experience Salt Lake City’s vibrant food scene, fuel up, and to continue our theme of ethnic food destinations in Salt Lake City. Nestled in the 15th and 15th neighborhood, we ate at Mazza, a James Beard Award-nominated Lebanese restaurant.
While the service was a bit spotty, the menu showcased the depth of Lebanese cuisine, striking a balance between familiar favorites and complex specialty dishes. We began with their classic, smooth hummus paired with a distinctively airy, fluffy pita bread and meatballs before exploring their rich entrees. The meatballs especially stood out as an experience in spice blending. Served in a deeply flavorful, rich tomato sauce packed with traditional spices, these meatballs were definitely one of the highlights of the night.
For entrees we went for a wide variety of dishes, including the savory lamb and spinach yakhneh, shawarma, beef and lamb kabobs, and a uniquely balanced chicken dish prepared with olives and dried fruit, the latter of which was the standout among the menu items we sampled.
Fueled by our meal and hoping to beat sunset, we were ready to set off on our hike! When we first set out on the Living Room Trail in Salt Lake City, our main goal was to catch the sunset from the famous rock couches at the top. However, as our very first LEAP hike, the trail turned out to be a lot steeper and harder than we anticipated ((editor’s note: despite repeated discussions about this very topic). The constant incline tested our stamina, and while we pushed through and made it all the way to the summit, we unfortunately missed the sunset. Despite the timing mishap, the journey up was incredibly beautiful and rewarding; we even got to see some local wildlife along the way, including a doe and buck grazing against the backdrop of the surrounding mountain ranges.
Swapping out the familiar, humid Texas forests for the massive, rugged peaks of the Wasatch Range gave us a newfound appreciation for how diverse American geography can be. Climbing up the rocky, high-altitude terrain of Salt Lake City felt worlds away from our usual campus walks, making the physical challenge even more memorable for us, and allowing us to push ourselves outside our comfort zones to experience a completely different side of the country.
By the time we reached the top, the dusk had faded, giving us a stunning view of the city lights. This was definitely the most rewarding part of the night; we felt like we had accomplished something together. The descent proved to be its own adventure, as navigating the very steep trail in the pitch dark felt a bit scary and required us to look out for one another every step of the way. Facing the tough terrain and conquering the dark together created a memory and a shared connection that none of us will ever forget.
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