Mountain Mom and Tots

Waterfall Week – Battlecreek Falls in Pleasant Grove, Utah with The Kid Project and GoAdventureMom

Sharing is caring:

This last week the tots and I explored three amazing waterfalls, all within a 40 minute drive of our house. The first falls of Waterfall Week was Battlecreek Falls – a favorite of mine that I got to share with some great blogging friends – Alyssa from The Kid Project and Kathy from GoAdventureMom.

The great thing about connecting with other outdoor moms is that they get it. They understand that getting young children out in nature isn’t easy, but like me they believe it’s worth it even through the dirt, tears and mishaps.

And this adventure had several mishaps.

1. My spray sunblock could’ve doubled as mace. The faulty tip made a powerful five foot spray that hit my eyes and that of Alyssa’s son (sorry again), ruined my shirt and overall did little to protect against the sun.

2. Rumbling sounds and dark clouds were not enough to keep us from hiking to the falls, and incidentally the hike ended in pouring rain and crying kids.

3. Little g said “I wanna walk!” but would then stop to examine every pebble and bug, forcing me to strap her screaming into a MobyWrap for the majority of the trip.

4. Nature called for Big E, forcing us to use a trailside toilet AKA a boulder behind some bushes.

5. Little g ate cherries, dug in dirt and played in the blackened remains of a fire pit leaving her looking like this.

Even with the misadventure parts of this adventure, watching my son run with delight through the trees, or proudly show off a bug he found reminded me of why I bother. It’s this. Being outdoors with my kids brings me joy, and sharing that joy with other moms makes it all the more joyful. Thanks Kid Project and GoAdventureMom for a great outdoor adventure!

Battlecreek Falls
Getting there: In Pleasant Grove follow 200 South toward the mountains. The road becomes Battlecreek Drive and dead ends at the trail head.
Length: 1 mile out and back
Difficulty: Moderate. The rocky trail follows a stream for much of the way but there are some steep sections that are tough with kids.
Tips: Bring other kids along to help entertain and encourage yours!

Sundance Resort Kids Camp, Sundance, Utah

Sharing is caring:

Big E loved spending a day at Sundance Resort Kids’ Camp last week. Here’s a re-post of what I wrote for the Sundance Resort Blog. Check out the original here.

When we first arrived at Sundance Kids Camp, my reluctant five-year-old was loathe to leave my side, clinging to my leg like a koala bear. I tried to get him interested in the group by joining in with the kids’ morning yoga class, where we pointed our arms like a compass, stood in “Tada” sana or Mountain pose and acted like animals. Ethan finally cracked a smile with the help of the Sundance camp leaders when pretending to be a puffer fish and rolling on his mat.

While I snuck away, the group learned about predators and prey with an interactive tag game my son later described like this, “I liked the tagger game, you could be two mountain lions and they had to tag the deer, and they died. If you died you had to sit down.” It may not be eloquent, but his explanation showed me that not only had he learned something, he had fun doing it.

Years ago kids roamed the mountains all summer long with the Sundance Mountain School and Sundance Kids Camp. The tradition took a long hiatus, finally returning this year as the Sundance Summer Kids Camp.

Sundance Mountain Resort is an ideal place to send your kids on a summer day. The shady mountainsides, cooler temperatures and plethora of activities make it a great location for childhood play. Throughout the summer, kids ages 5-12 can hike, play, explore, and create all in the beauty of the mountains. With different themes like Water World or Survivor Kids for each week, the attendees are sure to be entertained.

In addition to hands on learning about predators and prey, Ethan’s group watched a live animal demonstration, had art activities, learned about camouflage and played games related to the week’s theme – Animal Adventures.

At the end of the day, the shy kid from that morning was gone, replaced by a happy, laughing one. He had spent the day running, learning, and playing in the great outdoors of Sundance. I knew it was a success when he asked me later, “Can I go back every week?” You can’t get a better recommendation than that.

Susan Strayer lives near Sundance resort and spends much of her time snowboarding, hiking, and getting up the courage to mountain bike. Read more at www.mountainmomandtots.com.

Happy Father’s Day!

Sharing is caring:

I wish all those Mountain Dads out there a very Happy Father’s Day, especially mine! Thanks for hiking, biking, camping, off roading and adventuring with us. I never would’ve realized how great the outdoors were without you. Thanks!

To all you dads out there – thanks for all you do!

Happy Father’s Day!

Birdsong Trail – Hiking with Kids, Ogden, Utah

Sharing is caring:

I’m always on the lookout for new excursions with the tots. On a recent trip to visit Grandma and Grandpa we went on an outing to the Birdsong Trail at the mouth of Ogden Canyon in Utah.

This one mile out and back trail was great for hiking. Little g, who decided the only way she’d be going would be by stroller, was not a great hiker, but I was surprised with how sturdy my cheap umbrella stroller proved to be. For most of this dirt and rock path I was able to manhandle it into cooperating, which was way better than manhandling my daughter into cooperating.

The trail is great for mountain biking too. In the parking lot I heard two bikers exclaim “Wow, I could do the Birdsong Trail and Rainbow Loop five more times. It was so fun.”

Our family went with cousins to explore the trail, which vacillated from amazing views of the valley to lush jungle mode. I had no idea Ogden, Utah could be so lush. And there were definately birds tweeting from the trees, I was not surprised by the name of this trail. All in all the mile long out and back hike was a great one with young kids, fairly level, with running water and animal sounds. It was a great time had by all.

Birdsong Trail Hike:
Getting there: The south trail head is located at Fillmore Ave and 20th Street. The north trail head is in the northwest corner of the Rainbow Gardens parking lot at the mouth of Ogden Canyon.
Distance: 1 mile out and back
Difficulty: Easy
Tips: Take a camera, there are some great views from up there!

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: