With the kids out of school we headed south on Thursday. First stop: Capitol Reef National Park. Ryan informed us that the orchards contain trees that continue the same species of those planted by the pioneers.
Hiking through one of the wadis.
We then drove around the east side of Boulder Mountain, found a little mountain rode and headed off to find our campsite. Nate decided to call our camping, "jamping" since with our jeep access we could camp almost anywhere.
At 9,000 ft it was a bit chilly but we managed dinner, some spike ball and even dodgeball with the spike ball net as a shield.
We all survived the night and then drove off the next morning with frozen fingers and toes to explore Calf Creek Falls.
Nate was our photographer. He found these small petroglyphs on the rock wall on the opposite side of the canyon.
This view has the best perspective of the beautiful falls. Ryan pointed out the vegetation line along the bottom edge of the top 1/3 which was interesting to see the plants growing out of the rock.
Some of the beautiful rocks along our hike.
We headed into the city of Escalante for a re-fuel (the jeep and the kids) and then south on Hole in the Rock Road. Our first stop was at the pioneer Dance Hall. The hall is 180 from this rock but the boys just ran and ran and ran from one rock to the top of another.
We drove 62 miles to the end of Hole in the Rock road (not a paved road, we heard it took about 4 hours so Dan was trying to best the time, the washer board was horrible and the last 8 miles were definitely jeep roads). This is Hole in the Rock where Mormon pioneers in 1879 blasted a trail down to the then Colorado River (now Lake Powell) in order to cross the river and settle new areas.
Elle couldn't manage some of the rock jumps but after the next day's adventure we realized she really could have. Ryan and Nate made it to the lake to dip their feet. Can't imagine taking a couple of horses and wagon down that trail.
We drove about 7 miles back along Hole in the Rock road, found a turn off and then an amazing alcove.
It was hard to capture the setting. It must be a corral at times based on the fencing and cow dung but it was quite secluded and the quietest night of camping ever. The rocks made about a 340 degree circle with an entrance wide enough for the jeep and 10 feet of fence on each side.
After packing up camp again, Nate drove us out to the main road then Ryan insisted on driving the next several miles back along Hole in the Rock road to our next hike at some slot canyons.
Just inside the entrance of Peek-a-Boo slot canyon. Dogs weren't recommended but we thought Elle could manage it since she took the first leap into what we had heard was the most difficult part. We figured she made the choice herself.
It was fun to see Dan and Ryan help her out with a few of the scrambles, although a bit scary at times, too.
Heading out of Peek-a-Boo. We then hiked over ground about a mile to enter the next slot canyon.
Spooky--apropos for the season. It turned out much narrower than the first. There were two worrisome parts with the dog but she survived without actually breaking her leg.
As we exited we were warned that there was a baby rattle snake past the exit. We all made it safely past but decided we should stop and snack so we could warn the next group. They were a bit slower and after waiting 15 minutes we noticed the baby kept slithering closer to the narrow 2' exit. Dan tried to shoo it back out to the open wadi. It wasn't complying so he ended up trapping it with a stick Nathan found and picked it up and relocated it way off the trail. I was rather worried that we'd be making a run to the hospital that was at least 2 hours away so didn't take a picture in case it was the last for awhile. Luckily, he saved the lives of many behind us :)
A few of the steps in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Back down the road to Devil's Garden with lots more rock formations. Boys and Elle on Mano Arch.
Many hoodoos here but much more common in Bryce canyon which is about 100 miles west.
We then drove past Bryce Canyon, just past Red Canyon State Park. The camping was closed so we found a gravel road just past the State Park and found our own camping. Red Canyon is on the horizon where we returned in the morning for a lovely stroll in the Casto Canyon riverbed.
Jamping was almost as quiet as the night before until the coyotes started howling about 6 am. It sounded like 3 or 4 babies with their mom. We stayed put in our tents until the sun came up. And what a glorious sun it was reflected in the window.
Casto Canyon
So excited to return for more exploration.
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