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!

Logan Canyon Adventures

April 15, 2018April 15, 2018 ~ littlemountaineers ~ Leave a comment

So my mom and several of my siblings live in Cache Valley. They moved there when I was 18 and had gone off to college so I never lived there. So for the last 11 years I have made the 1 hour drive to Logan at least once a month. It has been fun getting acquainted with beautiful Cache Valley. We’ve been able to explore lots of fun hikes. Here are our reviews of some of the classics.

Wind Caves

Little Mountaineers Rating: Moderate Hard (3.5 miles round trip that is uphill all the way to the caves. Over 1000 ft elevation gain and not shaded, some drop offs and cliffs.)

This hike is probably best done Spring, Fall and on shady cooler days since it is mostly exposed. The caves are cool at the top but they are at a slant so you need to hold on to your little’s so they don’t tumble down! I carried my 3 year old the whole way and had major anxiety as she wanted to explore the slanted caves that have zero protection from the huge drop off. Not to scare you or anything but I wouldn’t recommend super little kids on this one! Older kids will do better, but we went on a hot sunny day and my son was miserable, he did like the caves when we finally got there. Great workout if you are carrying a 40 lb toddler ha ha.

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Crimson Trail

Little Mountaineers Rating: Hard (3.8 miles round trip, steep climb to the top and steep final descent back to finish the loop. The top is walking along cliffs. Mostly not shaded with exception to some forested areas)

I absolutely love this trail. It has some stunning views at the top and walking along the cliffs is pretty cool. It is however a steep climb and can be hard for the kids. I carried my 3 year old the whole way and it was a killer workout. Older kids who are experienced hikers should do okay but there are definitely some dangers.

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White Pine Lake

Little Mountaineers Rating: Moderate Hard (7.5 miles round trip, mostly mild elevation gain, a little bit of a climb at the beginning and one steeper climb when you turn around and make your way back from the lake, mostly rated hard for distance)

This trail is absolutely incredible! Even if you only do part of it with your family I totally recommend it. I know the distance can scare most people away, but there are many flat areas and while the lake is a great destination, the whole hike is scenic so even if you do the first mile or two it will be worth it. My 7 year old did the whole hike no problem besides the typical “when are we going to be there mom??” and my 3 year old was in and out of her carrier.

This hike makes you feel like you are in the middle of the wilderness, far from civilization. It was stunning when we went in the summer during peak wildflower season, I bet it would be awesome in the fall before the snow comes. The lake is incredible too! I seriously can’t rave enough ha ha. This is a popular trail for backpacking, there are several little campsites near the lake.

Tony Grove Lake Nature Trail

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy Moderate (1.2 miles round trip, 100 ft of elevation gain)

This is a beautiful nature trail around the Tony Grove Lake. Lake loop trails are the best! This trail also has great wildflowers in the summer. We did the trail and then hung up our hammocks and had a relaxing afternoon. You can also bring kayaks, paddle boards, etc and play in the water! There is a campground right by the lake as well.

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Hobbit Caves

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy (less than .5 mile, flat, mostly exploring not so much a hike)

This is a funny little area for kids to explore. It is near the stream and a little waterfall so just be careful with the little ones.

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Willis Creek Slot Canyon

April 13, 2018 ~ littlemountaineers ~ Leave a comment

As much as I love our National Parks, some of my favorite trails are just outside the parks, down dirt roads, and just on the border of a new strange land.

Willis Creek Slot Canyon is a place you wont want to miss and just so happens to be amazingly kid friendly. My son still talks about this hike ALL THE TIME! He can’t wait to go back. Walking through water makes it fun for the summer heat and it is just outside Bryce Canyon National Park.

We decided to check out this trail last summer on a camping trip to Bryce Canyon National Park during the Astronomy Festival and we were glad we did.

The last 6 miles to the trail head are on a dirt road. I recommend a 4 wheel drive, high clearance vehicle for any dirt road in Utah because then you are more prepared for unknown conditions. Can cars make it okay on this road? Yes, depending on the conditions, but I just don’t like taking that risk. I’ve been the person in a car with a flat tire in the middle of the desert before and it isn’t fun. It can be rocky at parts, some washboard, and you make a couple small stream crossings. But don’t let this scare you away, it wasn’t terrible at all!

The trail head is about 25 miles outside of Bryce Canyon National Park. The trail is part of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument but there are no fees or permits required. It can get super hot in the summer and depending on the time of day you will probably not have much shade (besides some shade of the canyons). Wear water shoes, clothes that can get wet and dry quickly, and sunscreen! Bring plenty of water, snacks, and GPS (my favorite app is Gaia GPS). Have fun exploring!

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy-Moderate. 2.5 + miles round trip depending on how far you go. Most of the trail you are literally just walking in a shallow river through the beautiful canyons with minimal elevation gain.

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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.

Zion National Park Canyon Overlook Trail

May 23, 2017May 23, 2017 ~ littlemountaineers ~ Leave a comment

We travel to St George quite often since we have family in St George as well as in Las Vegas. We are usually there for just a quick extended weekend adventure here and there so we are always left with more to come back too. This last Christmas break we were there for a few days and had the chance to try out a new trail at Zion National Park.

Canyon Overlook Trail

Little Mountaineers Rating: Moderate (1 mile round trip, uphill climb at the beginning, some drop offs and cliff areas, watch your young ones closely!)

This is a nice short trail that is unique and ends with stunning views of the canyon. There are cliff and drop off areas, so for very young children you will want to carry them. My 6 year old did great on his own.

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.

4 Family Friendly Lake Trails with Scenic Drives

December 10, 2016February 19, 2017 ~ littlemountaineers ~ Leave a comment

Okay I’m really terrible at keeping up a blog, let’s be honest. However I’m working on it! Today I decided to post about some fun family friendly lake trails. These are the best when starting out hiking with your little ones. Kids LOVE water features (lakes, streams, waterfalls, etc) so hiking around a lake is always a hit with the kids. The other added bonus with each of these trails is that they all include a beautiful scenic drive to your destination. So pick a lazy summer day and pack up your family in your car and head out on an adventure to one of these awesome trails! Warning: Weekends are going to be busier in the summer so plan accordingly. We usually try to avoid Fridays and Saturdays. Weekdays are the best and we’ve also had decent luck on Sundays (but they can also be busy).

TONY GROVE LAKE NATURE TRAIL (Logan Canyon, UT)

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy Moderate (1.2 mile loop, some rocky areas, mild elevation changes)

1.2 mile loop

Fee: $6 day pass

Take a lovely drive up Logan Canyon and enjoy the scenic drive and you curve back and forth through the mountains. Then as you take the turn off for Tony Grove you’ll be enjoying the beautiful forest scenery. This trail is exploding with wildflowers starting around July. There are picnic areas and lots of trees to hang your hammock. We went on a Friday afternoon and only met a few people on the trail. This is definitely one of our favorites!

Trail Details HERE

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MIRROR LAKE LOOP TRAIL (Uintah Mountains, UT)

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy Moderate (1.5 mile loop, mostly flat with some rocky areas)

1.5 mile loop

Fee: $6 day pass

I’ve blogged about this trail before HERE. However I still have to mention it again because we just love it. You just can’t beat a Sunday afternoon drive on the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway. Stop at the Provo River Falls on your way up to Mirror Lake, your kids will love the waterfalls and playing and exploring along the rocks and in the river. Keep your eyes open on your drive, chances are you might see some wildlife.

Trail Details HERE

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SILVER LAKE LOOP TRAIL (Big Cottonwood Canyon, UT)

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy (.9 mile loop, mostly flat, boardwalks)

0.9 mile loop

Fee: none

Big Cottonwood Canyon can get crowded in the summer, but it is absolutely beautiful and there are so many good hikes in the area. I really love this trail because it is STROLLER FRIENDLY so I don’t have to be nervous taking friends and family along who don’t have as much hiking experience. It is a great place to take your little little babes. It is a great little introduction to nature. Parking can be a little crazy, but it seems that people are constantly coming and going. We just made a couple loops around the parking lot and then pulled in when someone left.

Trail Details HERE

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CASCADE SPRINGS NATURE TRAIL (American Fork Canyon, UT)

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy (.8 mile loop, bottom loop mostly flat and stroller friendly, upper loops include stairs and rocky areas)

0.8 mile loop

Fee: $6 day pass

Okay so this last one isn’t actually a lake, it is a natural spring, but it is a water feature and it is a family friendly nature trail with a scenic drive so I had to include it! A beautiful drive into the canyon and then along the Cascade Scenic Drive will soon take you to this fun little trail. It is comprised of 3 loops around the spring. The bottom loop is STROLLER FRIENDLY but the upper loops have stairs. Try to spot fish in the lower ponds then make your way up through the different loops.

Trail Details HERE

Zion National Park

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

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Lower Emerald Pool Trail:

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy (1.2 mile round trip to lower emerald pool/waterfall, paved trail)

Weeping Rock Trail:

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy Moderate (.4 mile round trip, 173 ft elevation gain so some steep parts and minor drop offs)

Riverside Walk:

Little Mountaineers Rating: Easy Moderate (2.2 mile round trip to river narrows, mostly flat, paved trail)

Last spring we took our kids on their first trip to Zion National Park. We were only going to be there 1 day so we kept it super easy. You drive through Zion Canyon on a shuttle bus that has 9 stops. There are many family friendly hiking and walking trails. We ended up doing 3 hikes that day. We decided to do the Lower Emerald Pool Trail, Weeping Rock Trail and Riverside Walk. We also stopped at many of the scenic stops and lookouts along the way. The trails we hiked were beautiful, mostly paved and easy to navigate, but there are a lot of tourists since it is very popular. I can’t wait to go back and try some of the less traveled and more difficult hikes. I also want to hike The Narrows with my kids when they are older. It was a dreary day with a light drizzle of rain, but it was beautiful and my kids did really well. They were exhausted by the end of the day of course! I feel like Zions gives you beautiful scenery and fun hiking trails without you feeling like you are out in the middle of the wilderness, so I think it is perfect for families and beginner hikers. You have easy access to modern amenities and the paved trails and railings help even the youngest of hikers. On the flip side there are more wilderness type hikes and strenuous options for those looking for that as well. You could easily spend several days here or make a good day trip like we did.

Here is the link to Zion National Park website.

20150425_150637 20150425_142619 My son loved Weeping Rock and was trying to catch droplets of water in his mouth. 20150425_151336 20150424_152523 The Lower Emerald Pool features this water cascading off of the cliff above. 20150425_152729 Riverside Walk trail ends at the start of The Narrows, it’s quite majestic and the kids loved playing in the water and on the rocks. However, we couldn’t manage to take a normal family picture here. Don’t mind our awkward facial expressions. 20150424_150301 This girl was 18 months and was barely taking a few steps (she was a very late walker) so I carried her all day. Lot’s of people laughed at how funny she looked in my little carrier with her super long legs. 20150424_152840 20150425_151339 20150424_153035 Another angle of Lower Emerald Pool.

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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