Category: Camp

My Best Outdoor Moments of 2014

This year I snowboarded with Olympians, saw the eighth wonder of the world and fulfilled my lifelong wish of seeing a bear in the wild. Our mountain family has done numerous camp outs, hikes, bikerides and other adventures. We’re looking forward to our next adventurer joining our family in March of next year but before we say goodbye to 2014 I wanted to look back at a few of my favorite things. What were your best outdoor moments of the year?

Last winter I loved hitting the slopes with Team Utah Snowboarding and Sundance Resort. Meeting the amazing athletes on the adaptive snowboarding team, as well as the hard core racers on Team Utah’s Boardercross crew inspired me to compete in my first ever banked slalom snowboarding race. It’s great to try new things!

Motherhood had some emotional ups and downs this year as Big E started kindergarten and I found out I was expecting again. Surprise!

Our favorite vacations this year were seeing the jaw dropping wall of dinosaur fossils at Dinosaur National Park, RZRing in Moab, Beach camping in Carpinteria and a couples’ trip to the great state of Alaska. There’s nothing like taking the tots to wild spaces to enjoy all the variety the world has to offer.

As 2014 comes to a close it’s nice to look back and realize that I have spent my time in a way that is important to me. With my family. In the outdoors.

What were your best outdoor moments of the year?

Outlaw ATV Trail, Ashley National Forest, Utah

On our recent campout in Ashley National Forest we brought our Polaris RZR to explore the surrounding area. When we started out on our weekend getaway we weren’t sure where we were going to camp, what trails were nearby or what exactly we were going to do all day. We just knew we were headed to the Vernal, Utah area and that there’s a lot of off roading nearby.
We lucked out with our choice of camping in Ashley National Forest. Not only were there many off road trails, the area was secluded and beautiful. The most well known off-road trail is the 38 mile Outlaw ATV trail which traverses through forest, past lakes and over streams.
Unfortunately, because of the spontaneity of the trip, we did not have an accurate map of the off road trails in the area (Click here for a map of the Outlaw Trail). Instead we attempted to explore off road trails using signs and an outdated Utah map we found under the seat of our truck. Now, I know. A little planning could’ve prevented a lot of hassle.

The Outlaw ATV Trail is known as a difficult ride through tree fall, over rocks and bumps. The trail is meant for vehicles 50 inches wide or less, not for wider off road options like our Polaris RZR. We made it through several mud puddles, around boulders and tree stumps and along the dirt trail until we reached this pinch point. At a previous dead fall area we were able to clear a tree trunk from the path, but here the thirty foot long trunk wouldn’t budge.

Since Mountain Dad and I had already endured complaints from kids, mud splatters, bumpy trails and slow going, we called it a good attempt and turned back. Luckily we were able to do a fun ride near Dyers park just down the road from our East Park Campground later.

So if you’re planning an off road trip to the Flaming Gorge/Vernal Utah area may I suggest one important tip: Have a map.

 

East Lake Park Campground, Ashley National Forest, Utah

Great things happened this month. Little g turned 3, Mountain Dad turned 42 and I went on my first camping trip since learning I was pregnant. 
In general, being pregnant is a whole lot of discomfort. It’s harder to walk, eat, sleep, even get comfortable. When I first found out I was expecting I would’ve never willingly slept in a tent on a pad two inches thick, but a lot can happen between the first trimester and the second.  When Mountain Dad suggested we get away to celebrate his birthday I weighed the possible discomforts of camping against the benefits of a few days of outdoor experience. 
The outdoors won, which is what brought the Mountain Fam out to East Lake Park in Ashley National Forest. This mountain lake campground is located at 9,000 feet and closes for reservations on October 1st. For us that meant no running water (we just brought our own) and complete solitude. My research beforehand didn’t say we couldn’t stay there, nor were signs posted saying to vacate the premises so we took our chances and were glad it worked out.
East Lake Park is a high mountain lake with boat ramp. Fishing is big there, although without a boat or fishing poles we abstained. Instead we enjoyed the nearby off roading trail, including part of the famous Outlaw ATV trail that runs along the shores of the lake. 
One major drawback of camping at 9,000 feet in late October is the cold. I’m grateful for previous camping experience that taught me to always have a winter coat, hat and gloves as well as warm sleeping gear. Since we came prepared we all stayed toasty warm and spent a little more time next to the campfire than we would’ve otherwise.
The trip was great fun and enjoying the outdoors with my growing family was worth the inconveniences. 

Denali National Park, Riley Creek Campground, Alaska

After seeing glaciers on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, our second must see Alaskan destination was Denali National Park.

Our stay in Denali national park involved reserving a campsite at Riley Creek Campground and a shuttlebus trip out to Eilson Visitors Center. Many Denali visitors choose to stay in the commercial area outside the park entrance known as Nenana Valley or Glitter Gulch. That’s also the place for restaurants and gas (We really enjoyed Prospector’s Pizza and Alehouse).

We liked the Riley Creek Campground, the largest and closest to the park entrance, because even with other campers nearby we still got to experience true Alaskan wildlife. This porcupine wandered right past our tent!

The bus system in Denali National Park was confusing with options to ride the entire park road, or part of it (90+ miles and 13 hours) either with or without a naturalist guide and different price levels, leaving every half hour all day long. And that doesn’t take into account the free park entrance area shuttle buses which are all green. Luckily our guide book AK On the Go written by fellow outdoor family blogger Erin Kirkland gave us some good tips.

Private vehicles are allowed on the first 15 miles of the park trail, which allows access to the Visitors Center, Murie Science Center, Dog Sled Demonstrations, Riley Creek Campground and several maintained trails, including the Savage River Trail. However, it was on the bus that we got to see the most wildlife including this guy who walked right in front of our window!

Throughout the trip I thought how much my kids would enjoy Denali National Park, but the Dog Sled Demonstrations were what I think they would’ve enjoyed the most. Although it was great to have an outdoor adventure with just me and Mountain Dad, my favorite times in the outdoors is spending time with the whole family.