Canyonlands and Arches: The photos

 It seems like a lifetime ago that we were camping in the desert, enjoying a new adventure called 'freedom' campfire ranger talks and the amazing and glorious adventure that was Canyonlands and Arches. And looking back at my posts of that great trip I noticed that I dint even get to mention the amazing 8 mile Squaw Flat Hike. So here I am going to post some of my favorite pictures and a little snippet about each one. Canyonlands might just be my second favorite place to hike so far. Lulu was completely taken over by the staggering beauty and breathtaking vista, I don't think a week has gone by in which she didn't remind me of my promise to take her back when she was a teenager. Anywhoo it was a fantastic vacation. Now where to next....

Starting Squaw Flat Loop

Squaw Flat Loop 

Time Out

Squaw Flat Loop

Green Grass in APRIL!!! 

It was a beach in the middle of the desert, no water though.

Up...

At the Top of the spire crossing

And now Down....

Finally caught a lizard

It had a very cool blue tail. And we safely let it go.

That's a bit steep.

Ending Squaw Flat Loop

Water in the desert?!? It was a nice find. 

On this trip Kevin and I had a revelation of 'Freedom", We decided out there in the world a place must exist that is truly free, for everyone.  We named this moment "freedom", and gave the kids 30 minutes of "freedom" to do what they wanted say what they wanted go where they wanted (not complete freedom here, had to be within hearing distance). It was amazingly funny and profoundly enlightening. Perhaps the best moment was when Lulu dared  venture into the realm of foul language and became so hung up on one foul word,  right as Emma and Jack realized the opportunity and a Chorus of 'SHIT" rang through the lands. Another perk was the awareness of my camera, and with a simple please they each had a turn behind the lens. 

Emma's Shots =  *

Lulu's Shots = &

Jack's Shots = $

Freedom.

* Lulu and her Jackrabbit *

& Emma and Owly &

& Her Feet & (took off shoes cus FREEDOM)

& Emma &

$ Yes self portrait $

Mommy took this one

*Lulu's badge *

$ Daddy's Truck $ (yes he took a pic of the truck not us)

$ Sisters $

* Jack *

& Emma &

Sandstone Fins @ Arches

Delicate Arch

Arches National Park

Sandstone fins

Broken Arch and Tapestry Arch TH

Tapestry Arch 300 Yards.

On the Tapestry Arch trail.

Tapestry Arch

Broken Arch

Training

As mentioned in previous posts we are currently 'training' for the girls first backpacking trip. What I haven't mentioned is where we are going, and why the need for such steep uphill hikes. Well I am here to tell you that we will be hiking to Darby Wind Cave, that is as long as the cave is open. I have read that it was closed due to numerous cave bats dying. So I will have to look into it to be sure, but that is the plan. And yes I did say girls, Darby is a steep long climb and a bit too much for Jack to handle, at least this year. He will have the pleasure of going camping with Grammy and Grandpa that weekend. So back to the point, we are training for this Adventure by hiking up, Hell-Roaring Creek was a bit of a taste, before we even decided to train, or backpack for that matter. So far the two preparatory hikes have been Adams Canyon and Snow King.

 Adams canyon is once again a gift to our family staples from non other than Kevin himself. Having searched all over the internet and various hiking sites I was unable to find this gem of a hike. So I will leave its local a bit of a Secret, if you can find Adams Canyon you can find the trail head. Its a steep climb over loss rocks and through mini boulders that are at a scary level with your knees, and still up. There is an excellent near vertical stretch that was as difficult going down as was the whole hike in. After a short distance the trail opens into a small meadow and forks. We climbed the hill to the right of this fork and had lunch. Before heading back, Emma and I climbed the opposite hillside for a photo op. Nice uphill climb.

On the hill opposite where we ate lunch. Click to view larger.

Near hilltop looking down at Kevin Jack and Lulu

A view of Jackson

All smiles on the way back

The next and true test that would  have comparable data to Darby was Snow King. A 2 mile up hill climb that rises a 1571 feet. Many switchbacks thread through open hillside and shadowy forests making for a bearable climb. The girls took an hour and twenty minutes to summit the King, but that was including two ten minute rests and multiple drink stops. Next week we go up again. Best Part of the hike, The chair lift ride down ;) 

Almost there..

The top of Snow King

Chairlift.