Magical Grotto Hike

April 24, 2018April 24, 2018 ~ littlemountaineers ~ Leave a comment

Last year I found a really cool hiking book at the Farmington City Hall in Davis County, Utah. It has details on over 30 trails in Farmington, Utah (where I grew up). Even after living in Farmington for 18 years I had never hiked this trail before. So I grabbed a friend and we went on this hidden gem of a hike to “The Grotto”. Picture mossy rocks, waterfalls, butterflies and magical dripping weeping rocks. If fairies are real, they live here.

Farmington Grotto Hike (Steed Creek Trail to Hornet Canyon)

Little Mountaineers Rating: Moderate (around 3 miles round trip. This hike starts out easy along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, then as you hike along the Steed Creek Trail it becomes more steep and often very narrow.)

Since my first hike here, I have been back several times and I never see other people around. The first time I went the waterfall was flowing strong. This spring the main waterfall was barely a trickle (we’ve had a dry winter). If you go in the summer the plants can get huge and the trail will seem more overgrown.

My 4 year old hiked part of the way on her own, and I also carried her. My 8 year old hiked this on his own just fine. I would not recommend this hike for toddlers or preschoolers unless you plan on carrying them and watching them carefully around the tricky/dangerous areas. This hike is better for older kids who are familiar with hiking and being safe on the trail.

My advice when trying a new trail is go without kids the first time, then you can make a better judgement of how your kids will do. For this trail do your research and find good directions because it can be easy to take the wrong turn if you don’t know where you are going.

In the photo below I’m standing right where there is sometimes a big strong waterfall!

Happy hiking!

Hidden Gem In Moab

November 8, 2017November 11, 2017 ~ littlemountaineers ~ Leave a comment

The great thing about living in Utah is that I feel we never run out of new adventures. We are always discovering new favorite places and it is so fun!

Our most recent trip to Moab included exploring Hunter Canyon and it did not disappoint. We were in desert heaven and we had the place practically to ourselves. That’s saying a lot because we went over Fall break and Arches National Park was a zoo. Finding solitude in nature is so refreshing but it’s not always easy in a popular place like Moab.

I feel like I don’t even need to describe this place. The pictures speak for themselves. We didn’t do the whole hike because it got dark, but we could have easily spent all day here. Next time you’re in Moab check it out!

You do have to take a dirt road to get to the trail head, but it’s doable with most cars. I just had my Honda Civic and we did fine.

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy-Moderate. 3 miles round trip and very little elevation gain. Lots of sand to play in, rocks to climb and tunnels to explore.

Trails of Davis County Part 1

March 15, 2017March 17, 2017 ~ littlemountaineers ~ 1 Comment

Davis County Utah has so many trails that we haven’t even visited them all yet! One of the most well known trails is Adams Canyon Waterfall, but there are so many more. Hopefully you’ll find some on this list you haven’t tried just yet. Here are 12 of our favorites in the Davis County, UT area. Stay tuned for Part 2 for even more trails, I didn’t want to put them all on one post, there are just too many!!

Farmington Canyon Trail/ Farmington Creek Trail/ Sunset Trail/ Farmington Waterfall Hike

Little Mountaineers Rating: Moderate (3.2 mile round trip, the trails climbs up and descends down multiple times, some drop offs and steep areas)

This trail seems to go by a few different names. It is famous for it’s 2 waterfalls and several old deteriorating cars along the trail. With great veiws of the canyon and valley, creek crossings, colorful leaves in the fall, waterfalls, old cars, and interesting rock formations, you will find surprises around each corner.

This is going to be a moderate/hard hike for toddlers on their own feet. Young children 6+ should do good on their own, especially if they like to hike. I usually carry my 3 year old part of the way and let her walk when she wants to.

At just over 3 miles round trip you will get in a good workout without it being too difficult. Plan on elevation changes throughout, it will climb and descend several times. Packing my toddler I do this hike in about 2 hours, with a couple short breaks. Plan more time and you get to go slower and explore more.

At the end of the hike you will be able to see the “big waterfall” below you. There is a very steep area to descend to get up close to the waterfall with a rope to help you down. I would not recommend this with young children. After we gaze down at the awesome waterfall we turn around and head back the way we came. I believe you can continue on and go up a steep trail that will connect you with Sunset Campground but I’ve never done it.

Deuel Creek South Trailhead

Little Mountaineers Rating: Moderate (2 mile round trip to rope swing, some steep areas and drop offs, some rock scaling, creek crossings )

When you look up information on Deuel Creek you will notice it has two trail heads and can be hiked as a loop trail. The North Trail head is steep with loose dirt and rocks and with little shade so not young child/toddler friendly. Luckily the South Trail head is not the same and it can be hiked out and back for a short, scenic, shady hike to a rope swing. The South Trail head follows along side the creek with several fun creek crossings on log bridges. It is very shady and a perfect place to cool down from a warm sunny day. From the start of the South Trail head to the rope swing is just over 1 mile. Hike back the way you came for a round trip hike of around 2 miles. It took us a couple times to find the rope swing. When you get to the creek crossing that only has 2 longs do not cross the creek. Stay on the south side of the creek and continue straight for a short while and you will reach the swing. There are some steep areas, areas with drop offs (don’t let your littles wander off ahead of you!) and some areas where you will scale some rocks. Take it slow and watch you step and you’ll really enjoy this trail. This is probably one of our top favorites.

Parrish Creek Trail to Pictographs

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy Moderate (1.1 mile round trip to pictographs, some rocky areas and rock scaling to final pictograph area may require extra help)

This short trail to the pictographs is mostly easy, however requires a bit of scrambling/climbing on a rocky area to reach the pictographs at the end. If you are bringing children with you I recommend you have at least 2 adults for improved ease navigating the final rocky area. From what I have researched these are from the Fremont Indians. Please respect this rock art so others can enjoy. We turn around at the pictographs area and head back the way we came.

Antelope Island Buffalo Point Trail

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy Moderate (.8 mile round trip with uphill climb to top, rocks to climb and explore on top)

Antelope Island is one of my favorite places to hike in the area. The landscape is very unique and different than your typical mountain hike. Buffalo Point is a short hike that takes you up to a point with a lovely view and a great place to watch the sunset. There are many rocks to further climb and explore at the top. This is uphill to the point but nothing too steep or challenging, my 3 year old now hikes it on her own.

*Antelope Island has a “biting gnat” season that usually goes from April-June (call ahead for status), these are pesky little buggers so go early Spring or Fall for the most enjoyable time!

Antelope Island Ladyfinger Point Trail

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy (.5 mile round trip, rocky areas and drop offs)

This trail is a great place to watch the sunset and let your kids climb rocks and explore. This is my favorite place to take the kiddos when they just want to play and not do much hiking. This trail is super short and you already have a great view along with many rocks to explore.

*Antelope Island has a “biting gnat” season that usually goes from April-June (call ahead for status), these are pesky little buggers so go early Spring or Fall for the most enjoyable time!

Antelope Island Lakeside Trail

Little Mountaineers Rating: Moderate (5.6 miles round trip, mostly mild elevation gain, some rocky areas, rated moderate for distance)

This trail is the longest trail on the list, but don’t let that scare you. This trail is mostly mild and has stunning views of the Great Salt Lake. There are many areas with fun rocks to explore and this one will be great for the kiddos. This hike doesn’t have anything waiting for you at the end, the whole trail is scenic, so if you only do part of the trail you will still be able to experience the unique beauty of this trail. You can start this trail from either end, there is parking and trail head signs at both ends.

*Antelope Island has a “biting gnat” season that usually goes from April-June (call ahead for status), these are pesky little buggers so go early Spring or Fall for the most enjoyable time!

Fernwood Trail Segment of Bonneville Shoreline Trail

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy Moderate (1.8 miles one way to Adams Canyon Trailhead, some elevation climb)

This trail is literally just a few minutes from our house so it’s a quick easy trip for those days we need some mountain therapy but don’t have much time. We usually just walk along the trail for as long as we feel like it, usually 1-2 miles round trip, not usually the whole segment. There are a couple stream crossings depending on how far you go. This is another trail with little shade but great sunset views.

Davis Creek

Little Mountaineers Rating: Moderate Hard (around 3 miles round trip depending on your route, steep areas, drop offs, rocky and steep decent, trail not always clear so map and good knowledge of trail recommended)

This is a unique trail in the Davis County area and has some very steep, exposed areas. There are also other trails in the area that connect and cross with this trail so you want to research your route thoroughly before you go. You’ll find multiple waterfalls, “Indian bathtubs”, pine forests (“Christmas Tree Lane” and the “El Capitan” rock, etc.

When I researched this trail I noticed that many people stop at the area with the Indian Bathtubs and 1st waterfall. The trail up to this point is pretty easy to follow and the Indian Bathtubs and waterfall are a great place to turn around if you are looking for something shorter and not as strenuous. I would recommend stopping here if you have not researched and mapped out the rest of the trail, since there are other trails that cross here you could get turned around if you are not familiar with the surroundings. If you are up for a challenge and do your research, I like to hike from the Indian bathtubs and do a loop to Pretty Valley then to Hell Hole up to another waterfall and through “Christmas Tree Lane” and a steep decent back to where you started. Whew definitely a workout with a 35lb toddler on your back and not much shade.

Patsy’s Mine

Little Mountaineers Rating: Moderate Hard (2.1 miles round trip to caves including some cave exploration, steep climb with rocky areas and drop offs, no shade)

So when we hiked this trail we parked down in a cul-de-sac and hiked up to the dirt road where you will find a trail head. There is a dirt road that takes you up to that point, but it was in very poor condition when we went and we didn’t want to risk driving on it.

This trail is basically a nice steep climb up, so be prepared for a burner. There is no shade and the path is steep with drop offs. It can also be difficult with loose rocks and dirt. My 6 year old did fine on his own, but I carried my 3 year old the whole way until we reached the caves.

We explored the caves until we got to a part where it branched off into different trails and started to get really wet. The kids thought it was super cool to explore. It felt nice to cool off from the hike. Bring flashlights! We headed back and finished the hike while enjoying the beautiful sunset.

Farmington Lakes Trail

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy (less than 1 mile/unsure, trail can be wet and muddy)

So we’ve been exploring this little trail with our kiddos for years but I really have no information about it. I can’t seem to find a trail name or description anywhere. It does seem that the ponds are called “Farmington Lakes” so I’ve decided to name the trail that. When you are driving up Farmington Canyon and over to Bountiful peak you’ll pass a camping/picnic area on the Bountiful side and then you should see these ponds on the side of the road shortly after that. If you pull over and park you will find there is a little trail here. We’ve never gone too far, it usually gets too wet and muddy, but it is a fun little area to explore and we even bring our hammocks here sometimes to relax. One of our favorite ways to escape the summer heat is to head up to higher elevation and this is one of our favorite little spots. Let me know if you have any more information about this trail, I’d love to learn more about it.

Here is a link to the google map coordinates for Farmington Lakes.

Adams Canyon

Little Mountaineers Rating: Moderate Hard (3.6 miles round trip, starts out with switchbacks, steep strenuous climb up canyon, some rocky areas and drop offs)

This is a very popular trail in Davis County, but probably isn’t my first pick for beginner hikers or hiking with toddlers. I hike this with my daughter on my back when I want a good work out! The first part of the hike is up about 11 switchbacks (worst part in my opinion ha ha) As you hike this trail into the canyon you will quickly see why it is so popular, it truly is very beautiful. Hiking along the creek, through the pines, and passing waterfalls and interesting rock formations you will end and the stunning waterfall. Avoid weekends and holidays if you don’t like crowds, but since it is popular you will most likely see a good amount of people on the trail.

Wildrose Trail

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy Moderate (2 mile round trip to sunset view point, some some steep areas and drop offs, moderate climb to top)

This is a good after school or after work sunset hike. It’s a mile up to the sunset view point and although you are climbing up, it isn’t too steep or difficult. It is mostly exposed with a little shaded area. There are beautiful views of the valley and city below and the lake off in the distance. This trail also connects with other trails (so watch for signs) and can be hiked as a out an back (starting and going back the same route) or as a loop and hiking back down a different way.

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about some of the trails around our home! I can’t wait to post even more. Hopefully you’ll be able to try out a new trail or two in the Davis County area! Happy Hiking!

Arches National Park

February 24, 2017February 24, 2017 ~ littlemountaineers ~ Leave a comment

We had a chance to visit Arches National Park this February and all I can tell you is that my kids were absolutely in love. I’ve always loved this park and it was fun to see it differently through the eyes of my children. I have a good friend who lives in New Mexico and the other day we found out that Moab, UT was the half way point between us. What better reason to plan a fun weekend getaway. Just moms and kiddos this time (2 days,2 moms, 5 kids 7 and under). Needless to say things were crazy, but we had a blast. I hope these kids cherish these memories, I know I will.

Here is a link to the current Arches National Park guide. This park is so family/kid friendly. You’ll notice that there are 7 trails 1 mile round trip or less and 3 trails 1-2 miles roundtrip! Don’t worry, there are also some great longer/harder trails too. The drive through the park is a gorgeous scenic drive and you’ll feel like you hundreds of miles from civilization (you kind of are). You’ll also probably feel like you took a trip in the time machine back to when dinosaurs roamed the red rock.

The animal statues at the visitors center were a real hit with the kids. They were hugging and kissing them goodbye. Awe, to be a kid again.

Our first stop along the scenic drive through Arches NP was Park Avenue!

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy Moderate (2 mile round trip, 320 ft elevation change, section of rock stairs, some rocky/sandy areas)

Picture above is majestic Park Avenue trail. This 2 mile round trip trail is so surreal. Don’t let the stairs scare you, they aren’t too bad! My kids actually loved the stairs, so much that my daughter kept asking to go back to them. You can start this trail from either end and even have someone pick you up at the end so you only do 1 mile. Even if you don’t do the whole trail it is definitely worth the stop and the view.

Next up was The Windows trail. This easy trail takes you on a path to explore two large windows and Turret Arch. While we were there we were able to see researchers in action on top of the first Window, they used parachutes to send their equipment down and rappelled off the side. Pretty neat!

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy (1 mile round trip, mild climb with some areas with stairs)

The Windows come with some pretty amazing views!

We were lucky to be here during great weather! Blue skies and low 60’s. February can be hit or miss with weather. As we were leaving it was raining which even turned to snow on the way back to Salt Lake City.

Sibling love! I’m glad these too get to share these memories together!

Above you can see both the North and South Windows.

Turret Arch is also a part of this short hike.

The red rock desert is so stunning against those blue skies!

After we said our goodbyes to our New Mexico friends we were getting ready to head home. Well my children decided there was no way they wanted to head home yet. We still had a few hours so we headed back to Arches to do a couple more trails on our own.

Our first stop was Delicate Arch.

Little Mountaineers Rating: Moderate (3 mile round trip to Arch, 480 ft elevation change, multiple areas of uphill climb, steep slick rock climb area, some rocky/sandy areas, some ledges/drop offs. No shade, this hike becomes more difficult in harsher weather conditions)

My son has a rock book he got for Christmas and there is a picture of Delicate Arch in the book. He was eager to see it in person so we decided to head out. I knew my 3 year old daughter was not going to be able to do this trail on her own, so she got to ride in our Onya Baby Pure carrier. The guide says to give yourself 2-3 hours for the trail. We completed this trail in under 2, partly because it wasn’t sunny or hot and apparently my son was an energizer bunny that day! Weather can make this trail deadly. In the summer I would advise going early in the morning or later in the evening and bringing plenty of water and snacks. I’ve hiked this hike in August when it is extremely hot, but we did it as a sunrise hike, even then it was warm. I loved this hike in February, it is nice not to have the heat! This hike isn’t too long and has a few areas of uphill climb to give you that great leg workout and get your heart pumping, but I don’t consider it an extremely difficult hike which is why I gave it a moderate rating. I would definitely plan on carrying your baby/toddler/preschooler age child and make sure you rest when needed especially during the steep climbs.

Different rock formations to see along this trail!

Once you see this little window you know you are almost there!

Delicate Arch! Even more stunning in person. My son’s reaction when he rounded that last corner was priceless. He was truly in awe and couldn’t believe how big it was in real life. He was such an amazing hiker this trip! It’s so fun to watch them grow and learn.

It always seems a little windy near the arches. Guess that makes sense. Here is our lovely windy Delicate Arch selfie.

If you don’t think you are ready to tackle this hike you can still take your kids to see the cool rock art panel, it is at the start of the trail and doesn’t require any uphill climb.

We decided to tackle another quick trail before we headed home so we headed over to Skyline Arch.

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy (.4 mile round trip flat and sandy areas)

Of course whenever my kids see rocks/boulders they have to climb them.

Just like pretty much everywhere we go, we left wanting more. Moab has so much to offer, even more than just Arches National Park. We only touched on a few of the trails this post but I can’t wait to share more later on. We only spent 2 days here this time, but it was definitely worth it, there is so much to see even in a short period of time. Happy hiking!

Check out our little bonus adventure below!

You thought dinosaurs were extinct…well not in Moab! We decided to take all the kiddos to Moab Giants Dinosaur Park after our long drives to let them play and get some energy out before we checked into our motel. We didn’t pay for the museum or any of the indoor stuff, we just did the Dinosaur Trail to see all dinosaur statues and there is also a playground area for kids to play on. To do this portion of the park it is 12$ for kids 4 and older and 16$ for adults. The dinosaur statues were really cool, and looked liked they fit right in with stunning Moab as the backdrop.

Winter at Snow Canyon

January 20, 2017February 19, 2017 ~ littlemountaineers ~ Leave a comment

While we have really been enjoying the snow around here, sometimes it is fun to escape during the winter and head south to slightly warmer weather. During winter break last month we decided to escape the snow and inversion and head down to St George.

While the St George area is very well known for it’s proximity to Zion National Park, not everyone knows about all the other incredible State Parks and Recreational Areas that Southern Utah has to offer. One of our favorites is Snow Canyon State Park. We were absolutely blown away by our visit this December. It was stunning and we practically had the whole park to ourselves.

Snow Canyon is extremely family friendly. It is less than 15 miles from St George and it is only $6 per vehicle. Click here for the website with even more info!

This park is perfect for kids of all ages. There are sand dunes to play in, mini slot canyons, petrified sand dunes, moss covered canyon walls, red rock, white rock, climbing opportunities and volcanoes! There are so many short trails which are great for the younger ones! No need to worry about hauling your kids miles and miles to get to something interesting. If you are up for longer and more challenging trails, you’ll find them here too, there is something for every level. You will find something unique around every corner.

December temps were in the upper 40’s when we went and it was perfectly enjoyable. We stayed all afternoon and even had a picnic lunch. We left with the longing to return, and can’t wait until next time. Below I’ve highlighted a few of the trails. Enjoy!

Link to park brochure and trail guide.

JENNY’S CANYON TRAIL

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy (.5 mile round trip, sandy trail with some rocks)

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PIONEER NAMES TRAIL

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy (.5 miles roundtrip, sandy trail with some rocks, rock scaling up to the actual name carvings is not easy)

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PETRIFIED DUNES TRAIL

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy Moderate (1.2 miles round trip, some steeps slopes/uneven surfaces)

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WHITE ROCKS AMPHITHEATER TRAIL

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy Moderate (1 mile round trip, some steep/rocky slopes and uneven surfaces)

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Buffalo Point Trail

April 13, 2016February 19, 2017 ~ littlemountaineers ~ Leave a comment

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Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy Moderate (.8 mile round trip with uphill climb to top, rocks to climb and explore on top)

Ever since I was a little girl I have always loved Antelope Island. I don’t even have a particularly good reason. I think it just felt magical to me. So close to home, yet you feel like you are on some grand adventure. I’ve loved going back as an adult and taking my kids. The views are grand, you will most likely spot some wildlife, and there are rocks for climbing, and beaches to explore.

Buffalo Point Trail is a great family friendly hike. It isn’t very long (.4 miles one way so just under a mile round trip) and the views at the top, along with all the fun rocks to climb and explore, makes it a great place to take your family on an adventure. We most recently went last July in the evening and it was perfect, this is a great sunset hike in the summer. This trail doesn’t really have shade so it is best to go in the morning or evening during the summer. Spring can be a great time to go to Antelope Island as well, but make sure you check their website or call ahead and make sure you aren’t going to be there during biting gnat season, trust me it isn’t fun. (Biting gnat season is usually April-June) As with any hike it is always important to be prepared. Bug spray, sunscreen, water and snacks are always important. When my daughter was younger it was always important we had a carry option as well. After finally learning to walk at 18 months, she had only a couple of months walking experience by the time we went on this hike. I carried her up to the point, but she was very anxious to get out and explore and climb, then she went back in my baby carrier on the way down. Little children with limited walking experience can tire quickly so this is a good thing to remember if you are taking them with you, make sure you have a comfortable option to carry them if needed.

Here are some pictures and highlights. I can’t wait to share some other great trails Antelope Island has to offer.

Here is the link to the Antelope Island State Park website with maps of trails and other info.

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Valley of Fire State Park: Part 1

April 6, 2016February 19, 2017 ~ littlemountaineers ~ Leave a comment

Little Mountaineers Rating: Moderate (1 mile loop, sandy trail and rocky decent)

Last week we ventured to Henderson, Nevada for spring break to visit family, and enjoy some warmer weather. We have spent many vacations in the Las Vegas area and I always get asked what we do. When most people think of Las Vegas they think of the Strip and Casinos, not quite what they would consider a family friendly destination. The Las Vegas area actually hosts some of the most beautiful and interesting outdoor adventures. Each time we go we find new places to explore. I can’t wait to share some of our past experiences as well.

Just over an hour outside of Las Vegas you will find Valley of Fire State Park. Click HERE for more information on the park. We were excited to venture out to this park for the day and do some exploring. We looked up the map of trails, decided on a few we wanted to try, and left after breakfast.

We may have been overly ambitious thinking we could take on 3-4 trails that day. We ended up doing 2 and arriving home around 3:30 pm exhausted. Here are some tips if you want to venture to Valley of Fire State Park with your family.

TIPS

Hiking in sand is much more difficult than hiking on nice hard flat ground, especially for young children. Almost all of the trails at this park include sand, and lots of it. The sand was especially difficult for my 2-year-old and we carried her part of the time.
Many of these trails have little to no shade. This is probably not the best park to visit in the middle of summer. Sunscreen, hats and plenty of water is a must.
The age of your kids will matter here. Young kids will maybe be able to finish one hike. You will probably have a more enjoyable time just hanging out in the sand, exploring rocks, and having a picnic, rather than doing a full hike. Older kids will be able to do more hiking, but plan on it being longer and more tiring.

Driving through the park is a beautiful scenic drive on its own. Even if you didn’t do any hiking and just drove around, had a nice picnic, and did some exploring it would be more than worth it for the beautiful scenery.

The first trail we decided to take on was the White Domes Loop. A mile loop trail that included unique rock formations, a narrow slot canyon, and lots and lots of sand.

WHITE DOMES LOOP

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So much sand!

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The trail starts off with a fairly steep rocky decent.

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My son was always on the lookout for shade, sometimes you had to be a little creative.

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The kids loved playing in the sand.

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This is just a short slot canyon, but it was still fun to venture through.

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My 2-year-old has to follow my 6-year-old everywhere, and she’s pretty good at it!

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The desert is a beautiful place.

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We found the perfect spot for a nice break to refuel.

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Despite the sand, my kids managed to survive and we finished the whole loop in about 1.5 hours. Stay tuned for part 2 of this adventure where I go into detail about the 2nd hike we explored.

Red Reef Trail

Image ~ April 4, 2016May 23, 2017 ~ littlemountaineers ~ Leave a comment

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Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy Moderate (1 mile round trip to waterfall steps)

This past week we headed south to find some warmer weather to enjoy our spring break. One of the stops we made was in St George, Utah. The St George area has all sorts of neat trails and hikes. This trip we found the wonderful Red Reef Trail. This trail is part of the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and we accessed it through the campground at the Red Cliffs Recreation Area. Here is a link with more details and how to get there.

This trail was very kid friendly, especially when you follow my tips below. (my little mountaineers are 2 and 6).

TIPS

Don’t ever feel like you have to finish the whole trail. Always do what is comfortable for you and your family. If you get to a hard spot it is okay to turn around. Spend more time at the places along the trail that interest your family.
If you want your kids to have fun, let them have a little control. If they want to stay by the stream and throw rocks for a while, or hike some of the fun rock formations, let them do it. Child led hikes are usually not quick or with a destination in mind, they are usually all about exploring, curiosity and the sensory experience.
Bring plenty of water and snacks. I bought my kids Camelbak Kid’s Mini M.U.L.E. backpacks for Christmas and it was the best investment ever. A days supply of water and snacks fits in their backpack and hydration pack and they carry it on their own backs, even my two year old.
Check weather and plan a time of day that works best for your family. Kids can get grouchy when their comfort is compromised. Make sure the clothes and shoes they are wearing are weather and hike appropriate. If you think they’ll get wet it is good to bring spares.

Okay now for all the fun parts. Follow along my pictures below and check out our favorite parts of this trail. Check it out for yourself and let us know how you like it!

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We did quite of bit of “off trail” exploration. There were many cool rock formations and other neat things right along the trail, my kids were in climbing heaven.

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The picture above is a tree that looks like an elephant. Below is the same tree on the backside with a perfect little area for exploring.

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We hiked this trail the end of March so there was water in the stream and many waterfalls.

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Pictured above and below was some of the “off trail” exploration we did. You don’t have to do any of this as part of the trail, but it is right along side if you are feeling brave.

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Pictured above was basically the very end of the trail. You are able to scale the rocks with the rope and on the other side there are a couple more waterfalls and more rock and narrow canyon hiking. We did cross this area with our kids because we felt comfortable doing so. Feel free to call it quits here if you aren’t quite ready for this step.

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Well that’s about it. We spent a couple hours (round trip) on this trail in the early afternoon and it was the perfect way to spend our afternoon. Stay tuned for more adventures from our spring break. This blog will also feature adventures from other parts of Utah, other states, and even around the world. Get out and become a mountaineer with your family!