August Miller, AP

Elk play at Hardware Ranch, 15 miles east of Hyrum, Utah, in Blacksmith Fork Canyon, in December 2004. Sleigh rides make regular tours among the elk.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The first things that likely come to mind at the mere mention of Cache Valley are Utah State University, home of the Aggies; cheese, a windy cave and wildlife.

All are popular stops for both visitors and residents. All get their share of visitors.

USU is, among other things, well respected for its forestry and wildlife study programs, which include everything from grizzly bears to raptors to fish. All of which has resulted in a lot of available information on popular stops.

A short distance from the school is the Fish Experiment Station, staffed by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Recognized as one of the finest facilities in the country, ongoing work includes everything from buoying the endangered June sucker to finding disease tolerant hybrid trout to creating new catches such as the tiger trout.

A little ways away is Cutler Marsh on the lower arm of Cutler Reservoir, with access to some of the most extensive flat-water boating within the state. Hundreds of miles of waterways weaving through the marsh's self-made maze, or on the narrow, 10-mile long reservoir, or on one of its main arteries - the Little Bear, Bear, Logan or Blacksmith Fork rivers.

It, too, is sanctuary for one of the state's most extensive populations of migrating and resident birds. More than 400 species stop or live here, everything from swallows to eagles. A combination of boating and wildlife watching offers a unique and interesting recreational experience.

About 10 miles up Logan Canyon, on the right-hand fork road, is the trail leading to the site where Old Ephraim, the legendary grizzly, was killed. A granite monument marks the site. His skull sits under glass in USU's Merrill Library Special Collection. The giant bear, which stood nearly 10 feet tall, terrorized sheep and cattle ranchers for 10 years in a wide area between Utah and Idaho. It was finally brought down in an epic battle with a sheepherder.

About 5.2 miles up the canyon is the parking area for the popular Wind Cave. Over time, wind and water have created in the limestone wall a delicate triple arch and natural cave. The cave has also been known as DeWitt's Cave, Sun Dance Cave, Witches Castle and Devil's Cave. The trail, mildly strenuous, is 1.3 miles long.

There are actually several caves here, part of a triple-arch formation belonging to the China Wall rock area on the slope of Logan Canyon. The main cave, more like a wind tunnel, is about 35 feet wide and 20 feet high.

Across the canyon is the Crimson Trail, which has a rather steep climb at the start but then levels off and follows along the edge of the China Wall. This trail is three miles long.

Within the past few years, with the rising interest in rock climbing, the China Wall has become a popular place with everyone from amateur to the experienced climbers.

Hardware Ranch is located 15 miles east of Hyrum in Blacksmith Fork Canyon. This is a very popular stop in the winter, where hundreds of elk gather to feed. Sleigh rides make regular tours among the elk. There is also a visitors center that tells the story of the ranch and the animals that visit.

There are a number of picnic sites in the county's canyons - Logan, Green and Blacksmith Fork. One twist to the great family picnic is what is favorably referred to as the Logan "Food Tour."

"People can stop at various locations and actually see the various heritage foods produced here being prepared," said Julie Hollist, tourism director. "They then take the various items, go into one of the canyons and have a very fun picnic."

Gossner Foods, for example, is a leading producer of Swiss cheese and offers regular tours of its plant. Alvey's Candies and the Blue Bird Candy Co. offer a full range of sweets. The Pepperidge Farms produces a range of products, including cookies and crackers. Weeks Berries of Paradise produces a range of popular jellies and jams, including raspberry, strawberry and blackberry.

Cox Honey features glass observation areas that allow visitors to see the busy bees at work. Aggie Ice Cream is made at the USU dairy science building on campus. Other ice cream companies are Casper's and Heart to Heart Foods.

Along with canoeing on the maze of waterways around Cutler Marsh, the Bear River, which feeds the marsh, is also a great place for canoeing. There are a number of areas to launch. A number of companies in Logan rent canoes and offer boating instruction.

A little to the west are the Wellsville Mountains and Wilderness Area, which is on the fall flight pattern of a large number of raptors. Experts believe that the raptors are able to tell seasons by watching the orbit of the sun. When the sun it just right in the sky, hawks begin their migration to warmer climate in the south. Flights usually begin in September. The north-south range of mountains offers raptors the thermals they need to fly distances, which makes the area a great place for raptor watching.

Cache County offers some of the state's best fishing in places like Blacksmith Fork, the Logan River, Hyrum Reservoir, Newton, Porcupine and Tony Grove Lake, which has been drawn down to its actual level for dam repairs.

Along with the hikes to Old Ephraim's grave, Wind Cave and the China Wall, Logan Canyon offers a number of hiking and biking opportunities. One of the more scenic and comfortable hikes is the Logan River Trail, with a number of trailheads along the river. This is an easy hike and is said to be a great place to spot moose and various bird species. The trail is 3.7 miles long.

About 16 miles from the mouth of Logan Canyon is "Old Juniper." The tree, discovered in 1923, is said to be one of the largest juniper tress in existence. It measures nearly 27 feet in circumference, 45 feet high and is nearly 1,500 years old.

Within Logan Canyon is the Beaver Creek Lodge, which offers horseback riding into wilderness areas of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

Southwest of Logan is the town of Honeyville and the Crystal Hot Springs for those who would like to soak in natural hot-spring water.

One last thing visitors may want to check out is the fall colors. Places in and around Logan, such as Sardine Canyon, are recognized for their spectacular beauty as leaves begin to change from green to crimson reds, yellows, oranges and browns.