Emily requested a family hike for her birthday and invited us to come along. Of course, thought I, we would love to come on a nice little hike. We'll bring plenty of water because we might be out for awhile considering the hikers with little legs. If Emily and Justin can do it with their 5 kids and newborn puppy, we should be totally fine. . . . 10 miles, 4000 feet (each way) and 8 hours later, we got back to our truck WORN OUT. The girls felt a great sense of accomplishment and couldn't wait to tell Isaac how tough they had been.
It was a gorgeous hike. I have never seen Utah so green before, especially in mid-July. I should have taken close-up pictures of some of the flowers the girls (Kate, Makenna, and Jessica) were counting. They were trying to keep track of different flower types and went over 40. The mountains had received more snow than normal during the winter and then got even more rain during their long wet spring. The plants were thriving! The scenery kept up the kids' interest over the miles, and just when they were getting exhausted and mutinous, we reached the snow. We had about 1/2 a mile of snow to hike. It was a warm beautiful day, so our shorts/capris/pants and t-shirts didn't bother us unless we slipped, as we all did at some point. On the very top, it was windy, very windy. It felt cold. We huddled together for some snacks, took some pictures and then voted to start back down so we could be shielded from the wind.
It was a gorgeous hike. I have never seen Utah so green before, especially in mid-July. I should have taken close-up pictures of some of the flowers the girls (Kate, Makenna, and Jessica) were counting. They were trying to keep track of different flower types and went over 40. The mountains had received more snow than normal during the winter and then got even more rain during their long wet spring. The plants were thriving! The scenery kept up the kids' interest over the miles, and just when they were getting exhausted and mutinous, we reached the snow. We had about 1/2 a mile of snow to hike. It was a warm beautiful day, so our shorts/capris/pants and t-shirts didn't bother us unless we slipped, as we all did at some point. On the very top, it was windy, very windy. It felt cold. We huddled together for some snacks, took some pictures and then voted to start back down so we could be shielded from the wind.
All smiles on the way up.
A snack break. The girls LOVED their bagels. Rare treat or exercise is the best spice?
The trail is getting trickier. Here Justin has Sam in the swaddle.
Makenna has Max and Emily has Tommy in the big backpack.
Makenna at the top. Notice that drop off to her right!
Kim took a turn with the big backpack, with the little passenger. Tommy rode the whole way, Sam rode all but 0.5 mile which he hiked while Lucy got a little break. Emily and Justin carried kids mostly, everyone took turns helping walk or carry the puppy, Mack.
Jess at the top.
Tommy, Emily, Sam, Kate, Hyrum, Justin, Lucy: trying not to blow away!
Me and my girls.
That, is snow. We are on our way down again. The kids picked up "ski poles" to help them from slip sliding with mixed results. The snow wasn't cold as long as you stayed upright.
Best snow outfit ever! Makenna
Using her poles. Jess
We have left the snow and she threw away one stick; the other is soon to follow. I loved how she was wearing the hat backwards. She just looked cute! I carried the water bottle back pack, the girls took turns with the snacks backpack. They switched about every 40 minutes.
Can you see Kim in the back carrying the little black bundle?
A landmark she remembered. "Take a picture of the tree tunnel!" It's up higher among the pines.
Tommy tried riding in front and back. He was a trooper, but Emily was even more so.
Pretty! The path was often very skinny crowded by flowers, bushes and trees. Two groups of horses and riders passed us at different points and it was a little tricky to get out of their way. This is down lower in the Aspens.
The hikers were a lot faster and happier on the way back down; although, we also had more tumbles and scrapes. Whenever blood was drawn, the wounded got a wash, a bandaid and "medicine" which turned out to by a gummy. I'm so glad I saved those; nothing brought a faster smile.
This is almost back to where we started, looking back to where we were. I think the "saddle" is the curved lower part to the left of the "pommel", just up from that vertical patch of snow. Looks rather impressive from the bottom. Thanks so much to the Allens for inviting us. It was a beautiful, challenging day.
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