Mountain Mom and Tots

Otto’s Trail, Colorado National Monument, Colorado

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Colorado National Monument rises above the cities of Fruita and Grand Junction, Colorado, a plateau above the plains. Rim Rock road winds through the monument, passing beautiful rock formations on every side. The entire 23 mile loop is popular with cyclists, but my tots and I weren’t there to ride – we wanted to hike.

I was impressed with the number of kid friendly hiking options (short and flat) in Colorado National Monument. The first trail we chose was just one mile east of the Visitor’s Center. Otto’s Trail is a fun, quick hike to a beautiful overlook area of Pipe Organ and Independence Monument rock formations. My tots and I were there along with my old friend and author Renee Collins. The wild west setting in her debut novel Relic was inspired by the desolate beauty of Colorado National Monument.

The hike was only half a mile there and back. The only difficult part of the trail was that near the overlook area, if you or your tots stray too far off the trail you’ll drop off a cliff and plummet dangerously to the rocks below, you are walking on the top of a plateau after all.

When we reached that area, Big E refused to hold my hand, of course, but instead of tying him to me, like I wanted to do, I tried to trust that my four year old would know enough to stay away from the edge. Little g was more easily managed since I could pick her up and haul her myself.

Otto’s Trail in Colorado National Monument was fun, quick and relatively painless. Plus the views at the end were amazing.

Otto’s Trail Info:
Length: 0.5 miles round trip
Time: 45 minutes, less without tots
Tips: Don’t let your kids fall off the edge.

Bristlecone Pine Loop, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

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Two things come to mind when I think of Bryce Canyon National Park – High altitude pine forests and red rock hoodoo formations. The Bristlecone Pine Loop incorporates both. Starting at over 9000 ft elevation, the trail winds through ancient forests of pine and spruce trees to beautiful overlook areas where hoodoos can be seen for several miles.

Big E didn’t want to go on a hike, he wanted to have a picnic. Instead of coercing him, it just took us more than a mile to find the picnic area. Luckily, Big E was interested in pine cones, chipmunks and hoodoos enough that he wasn’t constantly asking where the picnic tables were. Little g fell asleep in the car and Mountain Dad soon snoozed off with her.

Bristlecone Pine Loop trailhead is located at the Rainbow Point Parking Area in Bryce Canyon National Park, literally the last stop on the road. I chose the hike after reading the book 50 Best Short Hikes in Utah’s National Parks by Ron Adkison. In general the book has great short hike suggestions and trail info, but the author using ‘we’ verbs throughout the descriptions really got on my nerves. WE will not be returning via the right fork, Ron. I will be returning with my son.

The hike was easy, fun, and beautiful, plus it’s part of the Parks’ Hike the Hoodoos program, where Junior Rangers can get a special prize for hiking up to three miles within the park. Just bring photos or rubbings of three different sign medallions to the visitor center.

Bristlecone Pine Loop

Distance: 1 mile round trip

Time: one hour

Difficulty: Easy, relatively flat terrain. Interpretive signs gave Big E and me plenty of things to think about along the way.

Tips: Big E found the picnic area on the east side of the parking lot, just south of the trail head.

Navajo Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

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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.

Motherhood Moments: First Snow!

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Last Saturday, Mountain Dad and I were snowed in! I love living in the mountains and snowboarding, but the unexpected first snowstorm of the year reminded me that I don’t like shoveling or driving in the snow. Several of our neighbors had accidents just driving down our street, but luckily Mountain Dad and I could just cancel plans and stay safe at home.

My tots also have strong opinions about the snow. Big E was in heaven, eagerly putting on his snow suit and squeezing his feet into too small boots in order to have a snowball fight outside.

Little g on the other hand sobbed at the prospect of even one flake touching her skin. She wailed until I put her in the garage, where she could see the snow but stay safely out of its way, but even this would not suffice. She just wanted to be inside.

I was hoping to introduce little g to the amazing world of skiing this year, but her reaction to the first snow storm of the year tells me she’s not ready. Mostly I was hoping for a way to get some slope time myself. If ALL of us were on skis, I could get some extra runs in. But, if that means I would have to endure little g’s cries for one more minute, it wouldn’t be worth it. Oh well, there’s always next year

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