Category: Hike

Navajo Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Navajo Trail trail offers the essence of Bryce Canyon National Park’s amazing red rock formations in a short spectacular trip. Starting at Sunset Point, the 1.3 mile loop winds through high cliffs, past beautiful vistas and down red orange trails into the belly of the hoodoo beast.
The tots and I started this hike from above on the rim trail, where views of the canyon can be seen for miles. Big E started down the Navajo Trail, along with a stream of other hikers. Because of Navajo Trail’s short, quick access to these amazing rock formations, it’s a popular day hike in the park.

I can see why. The red cliffs rose quickly as Big E and I descended the trail. Through tunnels and red rock we enjoyed the beauty of the land. There were some steep drop offs on the series of switchbacks we descended and a steep climb up on the way out. Unfortunately, we ended the hike prematurely thanks to a diaper bomb set off by little g.
I would’ve loved to explore this beautiful area more. Can’t wait for our next visit.
Navajo Trail
Length: 1.3 miles round trip
Time: approximately 2 hours thanks to some steep sections
Tips: Don’t forget your camera, there are beautiful photo spots on this trail.

Riverside Walk, Zion National Park, Utah

Panorama of Riverside Walk, Zion National Park
The last stop on Zion National Park’s bus system is Temple of Sinawava which empties out into Zion National Park’s busiest trail – Riverside Walk. It’s the most popular for good reason. In addition to being the starting point for longer back country adventures, including the famous Narrows slot canyon hike (I’d love to try that someday without the tots), it’s a paved, flat trail through gorgeous red rock cliffs along the gurgling Virgin river. 
Riverside Walk has a little bit for everybody – scenery, wildlife, well marked trail. And although I’m sure it’s breathtaking all year long, the golden leaves against the red rock backdrop were amazing. I could’ve sat at the river’s edge gazing up and around for several hours, but my tots were not as interested as I was.

Once again Big E and little g were content to just play in the sand and throw rocks in the water, until little g got cranky and Mountain Dad had to carry her. The well paved trail is short, only two miles round trip according to our guide book 50 Best Short Hikes in Utah’s National Parks by Ron Adkison.

Even so, given little g’s temperament, we were forced to turn back early. Such is the life of our Mountain family. Even beautiful surroundings can’t counteract the fact that sometimes kids just cry.

Trail Info: Riverside Walk
Distance: 2 miles round trip
Time: 1 hour, assuming your tots cooperate
Tips: Bring a stroller if you want. The paved trail has several off shoots for river access that are unpaved but for the most part the entire path is paved.

Zion National Park in Autumn, Utah

Zion National Park is one of the most popular National Parks in the west. Mountain Dad and I have visited several times over the years, but we had never gone in Autumn until now.
What brought us to Zion National Park was an exciting blogging connection. In August, we stayed at Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort for a big family reunion and afterward I was invited to blog for them. If you’re ever interested in a cool place to stay in the region, it’s great. Just read my previous post.
At Zion National Park on this occasion we loved seeing golden leaves set against a backdrop of red rock cliffs. Rock climbers ascended precarious peaks, while hikers journeyed along Angel’s Landing. Our little mountain family was content to play beside the stream.
There are lots of hidden places in Zion National Park, and this one, just beyond the street parking near Canyon Junction, was our favorite. Big E dug in the warm sand while little g plopped rocks in the water. The gurgle of the stream could be heard from the road, enticing us to get off the beaten path for a while. Warm weather made the trip perfect, and we all enjoyed playing together in a beautiful place.
I’ve been to Zion National Park in the Spring, Summer and Autumn and Autumn was my favorite.

 

Stewart Falls, Sundance, Utah

Well Blog Readers, we finally did it. Many of you may remember that on my 30th birthday back in January I made a list of 30 adventures I wanted to have this year. One of the toughest on that list was to hike three miles to Stewart Falls with Big E on his feet the whole time.

Well it’s finally happened. Accompanied by his trusty Jengo Fett blasters (can you guess what Big E wants to be for Halloween?), Big E, little g and I made it all the way to Stewart Falls with Big E walking the whole way! Along the trail we saw beautiful golden aspens and dark green pines, and loved the autumn sunshine.

Hooray! Hooray! Happy Day!

Little g was in the hiking pack and I was grateful for that. She ended up asleep by the time we reached the falls, and would’ve stayed that way on the way back if Big E hadn’t enthusiastically yelled at her to see the cool rock he found.

The whole hike took two and a half hours there and back. It would’ve been shorter if I had not missed the shortcut turnoff back to the trailhead.  That unfortunate lapse of attention added thirty minutes onto an already tiring trip.

Trail Info:
Distance: 3 miles
Time: 2.5 hours
Tips: Don’t miss the shortcut turnoff!