Kids Hike up Timber Creek

 We had some friends visiting from out of town, and Jenny and I wanted to spend time with them in the great outdoors. That meant it was time for a hike in the woods! Desert Girl took that as an opportunity to get all glamoured up. This girl makes me smile!

It was seven kids and three moms, and we started off with all the kids on the bridge.

They got to lead. Our destination? Timber Creek in Great Basin National Park. The trail starts by crossing lots of bridges, has lots of shade, and you can go until you get tired and then just head back (downhill).

The riparian area gave way to sagebrush.

Then we reached some rose bushes with ripe rose hips. We stopped to munch them and soon after some elderberries. The kids thought it was pretty fun to eat their way along the trail.

Desert Girl had brought a magnifying glass and used it to take a closer look at the caterpillars crawling around inside the tent.

Desert Boy brought his pocket knife and had fun whittling until he cut himself. He pulled a bandaid out from his survival kit and patched himself up. It's nice when they get somewhat self-sufficient like that!

 The trail got a little steeper as we climbed up to meet Timber Creek.

It is so nice to have kids hiking with kids, as they entertain themselves and whining is kept to a minimum.

We stopped for a snack break. That's an essential part of any kid hike.

Then the kids started playing with an aspen tree. I'm not quite sure what they were trying to do, but they were all working together. Teamwork!

We hiked a bit farther and then told them to go make forts in the meadow. They did that for a bit, and then it was time for hide'n seek. The tall grass made for some very good hiding spots.

And good photo opportunities!


After at least a half hour (I didn't keep track, it was so nice to just relax and not worry about time!) of free play, we hiked back.


The kids wanted to get wet in the stream, so we told them to go for it.

Some of them took that pretty seriously and got very wet!

Nothing like a dip into a cold mountain stream with friends!

Trail Runs in Great Basin National Park

 I usually run about three times a week, about two to three miles each time. I was feeling in a bit of a rut, so on Fourth of July, I decided to go for a longer trail run. The route I wanted to take was the Timber-South Fork Baker loop in Great Basin National Park, where we had taken a family backpacking trip last year. It's about 5.5 miles with an 1,800 foot elevation change. I figured it would be challenging, but I could get it done in about two hours. I packed a small pack and headed off.

I walked a lot, more than one-third of it, and I paused at the upper meadow to take a few photos, but I happily finished it in less than two hours! It felt so great to be in the outdoors, exploring. I didn't see a single other person on the trail the whole time, and the temperatures were great. I saw deer, beautiful flowers, and a variety of birds.

When I plotted the run in Google Earth, I found there's a cool feature that gives you an elevational profile. The Timber Creek side is a little steeper than the South Fork Baker side. (I drew the route in by hand, so it skips some of the switchbacks and trail meanderings.)

Today I was ready for another trail run. I wasn't feeling quite as energetic, so I thought I would try an easier loop, the Timber Creek-Pole Canyon loop. I parked near Grey Cliffs and started up through the campground. When I got to the boardwalk, I pulled out my phone. I could tell I might be taking more photos on this run!

The orchids were blooming. What? Orchids in the desert? Yep, they're small, but they do live here.

A couple swallowtail butterflies were happily pollinating them.

I continued up through the Baker Creek Campground and on the connector trail to the Timber/South Fork Baker Trailhead. Not far from there I paused to enjoy this monkshood flower.

I slogged my way up the trail, and found that the route over to Pole Canyon had changed, now going through the forest. The view from the meadow at the top was gorgeous, with Jeff Davis Peak in the background.

Looking towards Pole Canyon, paintbrush lit up the scene.

These cool, gnarled trees framed the trail.

Where the connector trail meets the Pole Canyon trail, someone had added info to the sign, writing that the Baker Creek trailhead was 1.5 miles away. The trail that goes to Upper Pole Canyon past the sign has virtually disappeared.

Much of the Pole Canyon trail was really overgrown. Not too many people hike here--but I did find one other hiker!

It took me two hours even to do the run/walk (I walked nearly half of it). I thought this was supposed to be easier! When I plotted it in Google Earth, I found it was at least 6.5 miles long (again, I'm sure I missed some switchbacks and trail meanders) and with an 1,800 foot elevation change! The average slope was easier, 10% versus 16%. But now I feel better about my time knowing that I went farther. The trail is a little lower elevation, so there's more oxygen, but it's also warmer. 

I'm really liking these weekly trail runs, I'm hoping I can do more throughout the summer!

Spring Break -- The Snow

After our fun in the sun at Sand Hollow State Park, the next part of spring break was to be at Brian Head, where we would hit the slopes and do some spring skiing. That turned out to be a very good choice, as Sand Hollow was filling up fast on Friday, and the primitive camping was getting cramped. The roar of ATVs filled the air non-stop, and the line of trucks to get into the state park stretched nearly a quarter-mile. 

We had a leisurely trip up to Brian Head, stopping so the kids could play at a cool playground in Cedar City, picking up some food, and checking out a ghost town. Then it was time to check into the condo we had rented over AirBnB. That was my first time using that website, so I was curious how it would turn out. Fortunately, it turned out great. (If you'd like a referral, let me know.) The condo was in the Copper Chase complex, and after unpacking, the kids and I went to the pool. The pool was freezing, but the adjacent hot tub was quite nice.

My brother, Ed, arrived soon after, and later that evening my husband. The condo was a studio that slept six. We really liked having a kitchen and prepared our dinners and breakfasts there.

The next morning it was time to hit the slopes! We went to Georg's to get some rentals--they have the best customer service! The kids wanted to ski with us instead of ski school, so we let them.


It was still snowing in the morning and kind of windy, so we got cold fast, but after pulling out balaclavas (which is kind of weird to do in late March when it's 70 degrees below!) and taking some warming breaks, we made it work.

Desert Boy wanted to sign up for the Munchkin Rail Jam, which involved going off this little ski jump and on the rails next to it. He was fearless and did it over and over. I was so impressed.

Desert Girl was delighted to get her face painted.

Then it was time to ski more. I couldn't believe how well the kids did. Desert Boy can go down slopes I can't. I'd like to say his little skis make it easier for him, but I think the reality is that he is just braver than me. And better at falling. He was very comfortable on all the blue slopes (intermediate). Desert Girl also tackled the blue slopes, and when she wasn't comfortable, she just made a lot of noise and that got her down. They also loved the terrain park, where they both did some little jumps. I even did some little jumps. Two inches of air feels like a lot to me! We also spent a lot of time going on little trails through the trees. The powder was perfect for it, and we all got a little extra practice on our balance.


It was great getting to spend time with my brother. He's got a super busy job, so we were glad to have some relaxing time with him.


Turns out a helium balloon tied to your kid's wrist is a great way to keep track of her! We had a great time skiing, and I am looking forward to the next time we can go. Skiing is such a great way to get the family outdoors in the winter.

A Sunday Hike to Granite

A few Sundays ago we decided to go out for a family hike. Before we got far at all, we saw these amazing clouds and very low rainbow. 

We drove by the town water tank and checked it out. It's the cause of great controversy, as a new tank is needed because it's leaking, but because of recent sage grouse regulations, new development is difficult to not possible. (More on that in a different post.) 

We went up towards Kious Basin, where there are granite outcroppings. We thought it would be fun to scamper around with no real destination.

The wind started blowing and we got pelted with snow as we ascended.

No beautiful rainbows now!

Nevertheless, we persevered. It wasn't that cold, so we explored a little.

And tried to keep our backs turned to the wind.

Desert Boy and I started down a steep way. I got to the point where I wasn't comfortable and turned around, but he kept going.

And going...

And he made it! I was impressed.

Then we found another rock outcropping to explore.

This strange red pool of water was at the top.

The weather cleared up a little.

So we tried to drive further up, but eventually got to too much snow and had to retreat. Nevertheless, it was a good excuse to get outdoors!