Bryce Canyon Adventure

And what at adventure it was. This is, by far, the greatest fun we've had on a camping trip. The excursion was sponsored by the base: a three-day-two-night camping extravaganza in which we needn't concern ourselves with the five-hour drive (we were chauffered in govt. vans) or food (dutch oven classics). We were joined by the Heps (unfortunately, the F's were struggling with a bit of sickness and couldn't accompany us), five other travellers, plus three staff.

After setting up camp, we hopped on the free park shuttle and stopped at the Bryce Point lookout. This place is like no other I have ever imagined. My attempt to take it all in...the red clay spires set against the bright blue cloudless sky, and the majesty and size of it all....I just couldn't believe how utterly beautiful it was.


The Bryce Amphitheater from the Bryce Point lookout point. It was a bit nerve-wracking, considering we had a two-and-a-half year old toddler clammering to get closer and closer to the edge (there were sections of the lookout with no railing). The kids were in awe, and myself, even more so.

There are numerous trails a visitor can take within the park. The one I was particularly interested in was the Navajo Loop trail because of the pictures I had seen on the net while doing research on the place. The information center guides had advised against us hiking down because (1) although the trail itself is only 1.3 miles, more than half of it consists of steep switchbacks with loose rocks and no railings, it is rated as a moderately strenuous hike, (2) we don't have a baby carrier backpack for baby Liv, (3) none of us had hiking boots. After much deliberation, and Mister Och's insistence he could handle Liv's weight the whole way, we armed ourselves with bottles of water, granola bars. and fruit snacks and dared to defy the odds.

Several switchbacks on the way down, here is the view looking up to where we started. The elevation change was 530 some odd feet down and the same back up.

More switchbacks coming down. Dad was such a sport, and of course little Liv was also.

Our two tiny heroes. With just a bit of bribing (we promised Toys'rUs treats if they would hike the whole way without being carried), these two girls soldiered through the strenuous hike.
We are so so proud of them! And truthfully, I have no stinkin' idea how we could have gone the whole way piggy-backing them on the steep paths.

This is the slot canyon called Wall Street I had been dying to see and walk through for myself.

On the way back up. See the drop-off? There were sections even narrower than this stretch.

The hoodoo called Thor's Hammer.

Beautiful

Some tips for this specific trail. When descending from the Sunset Point lookout, the first landing gives you the option of taking either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction of the loop. Looking to the right, you can immediately see the promise of Wall Street, and so it is naturally the choice most (including our group) take. The best bet, go left (clockwise). It is much easier taking the steeper switchbacks on the way down and tackling the ascent back up through more gradual switchbacks. The weather was a mild 75 degrees, but the sun's rays can still tire you out. Especially when with younger children, take frequent little breaks, sip some water, munch on snacks to keep the young 'uns moving.

After a nap and relaxation, we headed out to a more leisurely hike at Mossy Cave. It was a mere 0.8 miles roundtrip, but the reward was a nice waterfall with a very shallow base. The kids absolutely loved wading in the water.

Later on that night, we went to the stargazing event at the visitor center. The view of the night sky is incredible in this area. We were able to see the space station make its orbit around the earth with our bare eyes. With a bit of help from the telescopes provided, we studied the craters of the moon, Jupiter and its three visible moons (the fourth one is in transit, we were told). I was lucky enough to see a shooting star streak in front of Jupiter. Amazing. I've never seen the children so interested in constellations until that night.

Along with the other National Parks in the country, Bryce has a Junior Ranger Program. At the beginning of the trip, we picked up the activity packets for them that helped them learn about the park and wildlife conservation. It required them to complete a number of activities in the packet, attend a ranger-led program, and pick up some litter. Before we left, we turned in our packets to the visitor center and after a review, the children were prompted to raise their right hands and swear in as junior rangers of the park.

The swearing in.

With their shiny new junior ranger badges and assorted versions of a salute. :-)

We had an excellent time. Thank you Hep's for coming with.

Last Minute to Mill Hollow

It's a miracle! We camped outside of the Mirror Lake area! This is the Mill Hollow campground right outside of Woodside. Site 17 is a large area right next to a dense pine forest, away from most of the other campers, but close enough to the toilets (vault, but surprisingly pleasant).

We dared to venture down the 3 mile loop trail next to the grounds, and we enjoyed it for the most part. The temp hovered around 70 degrees with just a slight occasional breeze. The girls, however, after about three quarters of a mile insisted on piggyback and shoulder rides. Shortly after that, mom and dad insisted on turning back. Oh, well. Beautiful scenery, though.

On the other side of the campground is Mill Hollow Reservoir. It is still not filled completely yet (they drained it last year for a dam renovation), but there were some who were snagging trout quite successfully.

Can anyone say "Chucky"?

Cornish hens and potatoes roasted in the coals of the fire pit. Yummm.

While cooking breakfast, we spotted three deer right next to us!

Mirror Lake

Utah is rich in beautiful campgrounds. Yet, despite the endless options, we always end up at a site along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway in the high Uintah Mountain Range. This was our first time at the actual Mirror Lake and we were not disappointed.

Camp site #38 for those interested! It is a double site, with an extra large tent pad that fits two large tents. It is situated at the end of the loop, so it is the most isolated of the sites with a great view of the lake a mere 500 yards away. Note: there is a fire pit but no fire grill, so bring a stove or your own grill to set atop the ring.

The view with the tents set up. The Lozano's accompanied us for another great night. It's looking to be an annual tradition for our two families to get together and rough it together for a little while.

We were able to make our own ice cream from this little ball that Mister Och's Aunt Connie gifted us. Of course, our sixth member of the family got some of her share from Liv.

Mister D had great time as always. His dad taught him how to sharpen and hone his Swiss army knife and whittle a branch into a spear.

Note the footwear. Hardly appropriate for hiking and camping, dontcha think? I swear she's getting girlified by the second. She LOVES these "cute" sandals and will sneak it into the car despite our insisting she wear her hiking sandals instead.

Liv aka "no fear" waded into the lake, deaf to the warnings and yelling from both parents.

This was Liv's second time camping, the first one being when she was only six weeks old. We were a little anxious about how she would take to the trip, and then pleased to observe she was in heaven! I do admit, the sleeping arrangement wasn't ideal for me, however. She insisted on scooching into my sleeping bag, but became raving mad when I had my head on the pillow alongside hers. Neck and back pain in the morning...ouch!

Tuckered out after a long day of fun and getting dirty. Here we are snuggling in front of the fire. It was a great night, not nearly as cold as we had expected. I think the low for the night was about forty degrees. Early morning, it rained heavily, stopping only for a short respite long enough for us to whip up some breakfast and duck into the tent to eat it.

We had a fantastic time as always. We're trying to fit a couple more trips in before it gets too cold. Anyone care to join us?

Camping...FINALLY!

After several failed attempts and cancelled campsite reservations, we finally made it to Payson Lakes on the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway. I was pretty nervous about the campgrounds, since we've never camped there before. The time we tried to scout the area in May, the road leading up to it was still closed due to snow. I was tempted to canx that reservation and go for a place we've been before. I will forever thank the camping gods we didn't.

Big East Lake---one of the three lakes surrounding our campsite.

The beauty about this lake, it is large enough that those seeking a more secluded spot can easily find one, but small enough that we were able to take a walk around its perimeter with the kiddies in less than an hour. Despite the elevation, the water was a pleasant temp, and kids were swimming and playing in the shallow end throughout the day. Tip: Bring an inflatable boat/raft and swimming gear. The trout there jumped at worms and snubbed Powerbait; there were a bunch of people coming from the dam area with a line of them.

The sites were set a ways from each other; we were able to get some privacy. The facilities in the loops consisted of those icky vault toilets (the boys didn't seem to mind). I don't know how anyone could stomach setting foot near those things. Breathing through the mouth did NOT work the only time I tried, and I spent the next five minutes dry heaving from the stench. My lung capacity isn't anything to brag about, so I couldn't hold my breath through the whole ordeal either. I had to resort to taking the one-minute drive to the day-use area by the lake and going to the flush toilets there. Needless to say, I only drank enough to keep me from the brink of dehydration. We definitely need to bring our own PETT toilets next time. (Review on that after the next camping blog.)

My 10-year-old baby got to start the fire this year, as his dad promised. L just supervised and talked him through it, and five minutes later, POOF! there was the crackling of the campfire. Good job, Dylan!

Dinner was scrumptious! Cornish hens rubbed down with garlic powder, salt and pepper, wrapped in aluminum foil and set into the fire pit for an hour. The juicy meat just fell off the bones. Yum!

All in all, total success! LOVE Payson Lakes!