Monday, October 24, 2011

CANYONLANDS!

Another wonderful camping trip for the Harker family this fall break weekend. The weather was perfect! I am in denial that this is the end of the camping/hiking season. We have had some great adventures this spring/summer/fall and I don't know if I can wait another 6 months to do it again. Here we are at the entrance to Canyonlands National Park. This was our first time here.
The scenery is absolutely amazing. We were at a place called "Island in the Sky" because it is a big mesa raised up above the rest of the canyon where the Colorado and Green river cut through. We were on the edge of cliffs most of the time looking down. Good thing no one fell off!

We hiked our little tails off. This first one was called "Grand View," and yes, the view was grand!

As always, my boys have to have a snack break at the end of the trail.
Next was the "White Rim Overlook Trail." This was probably my favorite one because you could see for miles and miles in all directions. Got a little nervous though with my boys so close to the edge.

By the end of that one, Miles was pretty pooped and Mike had to carry him back. Even though he looks dead, he isn't.

The last hike of that day was to "Mesa Arch." You are supposed to hike this one in the morning to get an amazing view of the sunrise through it, but evening was pretty too.

The next morning it was back to the visitor center to claim our Jr. Ranger badges.

Our first hike of day two was to some ancient Pueblonean (sp?) granaries where they used to store their food and such. Really amazing to think that people actually lived off the land here since it is just desert with little water.

Next was "Whale Rock." Pretty much a bunch of very steep slickrock that took us way up to another amazing view.

At the top!

After that we did another hike to "Upheaval Dome," and then drove into Moab for some dinner and ice cream. Mike, always the adventurer, wanted to drive back to our camp on a unpaved, crazy dirt road that went up and down cliff faces and over rocky, unmaintained road. He loved using his 4 wheel drive and felt like king of the cliffs. (I on the other hand had white knuckles the entire 2 hour drive!) This is one stop where you can look down at the Colorado River. Gorgeous!

So once again, it was an amazing adventure! Utah really is a beautiful state and it is no wonder why people from all over the world come to visit. We met people from Texas, Wisconsin, and France. I am so glad to call this state home. I can't wait for the end of winter so I can get out with my boys and have more fun adventures! Grand Canyon in April for spring break. I can't wait!!

1 comment:

Stephanie said...

HOLY MOLY! That was a LOT of hiking, and I'm amazed that Miles could keep up! You ALL are quite the adventurers! What a great way to spend the last breath of summer!