Mountain Mom and Tots

Double Arch, Arches National Park, Utah

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Arches National Park is one of the few places I’ve been to that feels like a different planet. The red rock walls and sandstone arches are monoliths of a different era.

One of the things I most appreciate about Arches National Park, is the breadth of its hiking options. There the extensive back country with multi-day trails or the parking lot pull outs with quick and easy access. I bet you can guess where we headed with the tots.

Double Arch is a rock formation with not one, but two amazing arches to explore. It’s located at the same parking area as another quick hike to Turret Arch and the North and South Window Arches. All of these arches are within sight of the road and could be seen in about an hour of hiking time. Talk about getting bang for your buck.

Double Arch is a fifteen minute walk from the parking area, plus whatever time is spent scrambling on the boulders. With the tots, Double Arch was an easy, fun excursion where little g pointed out every plant along the way with an “Oh! What That?” and Big E scurried over every boulder along with his energetic cousin.

For me, looking up at the vast row of rock overhead reminded me of my own insignificance. There’s a big world out there, and I’m happy just to explore the parts that I can.

Trail Info: Double Arch
Distance: 0.5 miles
Time: 30 minutes
Tips: It was cold when we went. Just because there are red rocks, doesn’t mean there is heat.

Sand Dune Arch, Arches National Park, Utah

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Mountain Dad and I have been to Arches National Park many times in our lives, but never with two rowdy tots in tow. In hiking to Sand Dune Arch, I took a tip from my sister-in-law who said it was the best hike for kids in all of Arches National Park. I whole heartedly agree.

The hike to Sand Dune Arch is more like a quick walk between towering red rock walls. Big E and his cousin loved running ahead and climbing on boulders. I thought it would be the best hike ever – short, fun with a destination to motivate us forward – but apparently little g was less excited about it. She cried the whole time and wouldn’t let me put her down.

The actual arch spans a sandy oasis of fun. In the summer, the tall walls surrounding the area ensures shady sandbox play. In the winter, like when we went, it was a little too cool for my comfort.

If you’re visiting Arches National Park with kids, make sure you take them here. If you’re interested in more than just playing in the sand, Broken Arch trail (1.3 miles) connects to Sand Dune Arch trail.

Trail Info: Sand Dune Arch

Distance: 0.3 miles

Time: 15 minutes

Tips: In the warm weather, this offers a shady oasis and is a great place to play.

Sand Dune, Moab, Utah

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One of the most unexpectedly fun stops on our Moab, Utah trip was the giant Sand Dune across the highway from the entrance to Arches National Park. It looked as if something scooped away the top layer of the hill, leaving the red innards open for all to enjoy.

The giant sand dune kept Big E and his cousins occupied for over two hours, even in the cold. They “ran” up the slope, jumped from rock out cropings, dug, sculpted and threw sand snow balls.

From the top of the Sand Dune our truck looked like a matchbox car. The steep slope was even used as a sledding slope, minus the snow of course. I would not have thought to pull off the road to enjoy the sand here, but I’m glad we did, even if I’m still finding the red stuff in pockets and crevices.

Trail Info:

Location: Across the highway from the entrance to Arches National Park. Easiest access is on the southbound side.

Difficulty: Easy

Time:10 min to 3 hours

Tips: Pack some shovels!

Sand Flats Recreation Area, Moab, Utah

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As an early Christmas present, Mountain Dad got a Polaris RZR 4 1000. I was skeptical of its usefulness, having never been ATVing or off roading before. But both Mountain Dad and I were amazed at how much fun it is to drive! It’s an awesome mix between a sit on top ATV (all terrain vehicle) and a full sized Jeep – with seating in back for the tots.

Since we got the machine at the beginning of the coldest season of the year, we planned to try it out first in a warm, fun climate. We chose Moab, Utah because with Red Rocks everywhere, it had to be warm, right?

Wrong. The high temperature during our three day trip was a whopping forty five degrees. I was lucky that I grabbed my winter coat at the last minute and that last year’s gloves were still in the pockets.

The first trail we tried out with the RZR was in Sand Flats Recreation Area, the same area of the famed Slickrock Bike Trail. My sister and brother-in-law came along with their kids which was great. Not only did Big E and little g have playmates, but my brother-in-law Jonathan has more than fifteen years experience off-roading in Moab.

Per his suggestion, we tried out the Fins and Things 4×4 trail off of Sand Flats Road and had a total blast. While the tots were more interested in climbing on Diving Board Rock, Mountain Dad and I climbed rocks of our own.

The RZR was really fun and I can’t wait to try it out in a little bit warmer weather.

Trail Info:

Location: Sand Flats Recreation Area – less than five minutes from downtown Moab

Difficulty: Intermediate. Some spots had steep, rocky sections

Time: 1.5 hours

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