Tag: Big Springs Hike

Big Springs Park Snowshoe with Hike It Baby

Have you been “mama-stalked”?

Last August I was walking around the Outdoor Retailer trade show when a stranger approached me and handed me a card. She had noticed Baby L strapped to my chest (it was hard not to notice a second person plastered to the first). Her name was Shanti Hodges and she invited me to check out her website – Hike It Baby.
Once she said Hike It Baby something clicked in my head. I knew Shanti. We were part of the same Outdoor Family Bloggers Facebook Group. From there I knew she cared about getting outdoors with kids, just like me and I was more than happy to check out her website.

HikeIt Baby is a community of outdoors lovers who lead hikes in over 150 cities. Chances are there’s a local Hike It Baby branch near you. Run by volunteers, all hikes are free and offer an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with other parents of young children.
Since last August I’ve attended several local Hike It Baby Hikes and last month led a Snowshoe hike at Big Springs Park – my favorite local trail.
Little g was excited to try out her bear print snowshoes while Baby L was happy to sleep on my chest once again. We went out, a group of five mamas all carrying at least one child. We were all trying new things as most of the others had never been snowshoeing before.
We started out on the trail that followed a beautiful stream. I loved the ice formed by the water edge and the frozen landscape all around. It was great getting outdoors and we did pretty well for the first half mile.

Then all hell broke loose. We had gone just half a mile, but half a mile of snowshoeing while carrying twenty extra pounds (or more) is really hard. When we turned around to head back to the trailhead Little G decided she was done. She cried, complained, whined and refused to walk another step. Unlike another mother of a four year old I hadn’t brought a second baby carrier to strap her to my back. Instead I hobbled down the trail with Baby L in the wrap on my front and Little G clinging to my neck on my back. 


It was awkward and difficult and we were all glad when it was over.
One great thing about hiking with other moms is that they get it. Yes my daughter’s crying was annoying to everyone but they’d also been in situations where their kid didn’t do exactly what they wanted when they wanted. They knew that sometimes adventures with tots don’t always go exactly as planned.
That’s what makes Hike It Baby great. No hiker is left behind because they care about building the next generation of outdoor lovers. If you haven’t checked out Hike It Baby now’s the time. See what hikes are in your area and get out on the trail! 

Big Springs Snowshoe

Big Springs trail is a popular snowshoeing and cross country skiing trail.  I can understand why, it’s easy to access, short, and beautiful. Plus there’s a goal that you’re hiking to – a mountain spring.  That always helps motivate me.  The 3 mile round trip hike did require some cardiovascular stamina so I opted to leave my young kids at home.  I don’t think I could’ve made it with little g on my back and snowshoes on my feet.  Instead, Mountain Dad and I went with some friends on our first true snowshoe hike of the year.
GETTING THERE:
Big Springs Trailhead is near the top of South Fork Canyon Road.  You get there by driving east on Highway 189 (Provo Canyon Road) to Vivian Park, about 8 miles.  From there turn right onto South Fork Canyon Road.  You’ll drive about 2.5 miles passing Vivian Park, several homes and ranches, and South Fork Park on the way.  Turn right at Big Springs Park and head to the back parking lot.   The hike begins on the north part of the parking lot. 

ON THE TRAIL:
The four of us strapped on our snowshoes and started out. The trail crossed the first of many wooden foot bridges and headed uphill.  We climbed gradually, enjoying the gurgling water and warmth of the sun. The trail followed the stream most of the way, which provided extra beauty to the snow covered scene. We soon realized that the trail was so packed down that we probably didn’t need the snowshoes.

 About a mile along the trail we hit a steep section that ended in a beautiful pine tree forest. I was in heaven. My favorite terrain in the world includes mountain slopes, pine trees and running water.  The cool air in my lungs and the beautiful scenery instantly put a smile on my face.  There are few things more satisfying in life than moving my body while enjoying nature.  I don’t know why I get such a rush with that combination but somehow the exercise mixed with the outdoors brings me all sorts of happiness. The forest continued a short way until we reached our goal – the Big Spring that the trail was named for.  Here we are standing at the headwaters.

After a short break at the springs we headed back down the trail.  The sun stayed warm and the scenery beautiful.  All in all it was the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Big Springs Hike

Destination: Big Springs
Location: South Fork Provo Canyon
Time: 1:30 pm
Temp: 46 degrees

To Get Here: Take Hwy 189 (Provo Canyon Road) headed north.  Drive approx 4 miles until Vivian Park, turn Right.  Drive approximately 5 miles, almost to the end of the road.  Park is on the Right, look for the above sign.
Big Springs Hike is fairly easy with little elevation gain.  What I like about it is that you walk along a river which provides no end of entertainment for my now three year old Big E.  The weather was so warm when we went I was tempted to not put him in snow pants but I’m glad I did.  The sun was melting everything so bare spots became mud and the trail was still icy.  The full hike is 1.8 miles to the Big Spring, the source of the flowing river you walk by.  We just stayed on the bottom part of the trail since it stuck by the water.   Big E loved throwing rocks into the water and trying to break the ice.  Little g loved sleeping in the moby wrap.  I loved being outside.