Exploring Capitol Reef National Park

Over Memorial Day Weekend we decided to take a weekend get away to Capitol Reef National Park. None of us had ever been. I carefully prepared the kids by showing them pictures of where we were going and discussing at length how long it would take to drive down there, pictures of the hotel we were staying in, and the fact that there are some petroglyphs there. Apparently I didn't mention that we would be hiking. My assumption was that was a given. It was not a given to Liam. While packing Matt asked Liam if he was ready to hike at Capitol Reef. Surprise, dismay, and denial quickly followed. "Hiking?!" Liam replied. Ten minutes later Liam had completely wrapped his leg, gotten a hold of a long stick, and was faking a leg injury. "Can't go hiking, my leg is broken" was his feeble response. Later while jumping on the trampoline at my Mother-in-law's house Liam was caught in the lie and told he would have to go hiking. He spent the rest of the trip letting us know he did not want to hike. 

We drove down Friday night after work and got up first thing Saturday morning to go hiking. The boys were disproportionately thrilled to discover that they got to share a hide a bed couch. This seemed to be a real high light to them. To our surprise we found that it didn't cost money to get into this National Park. We stopped by the visitor's center to get a map and figure our where we wanted to go hiking. 

We did the petroglyph walk and did the Grand Wash. This was a really flat stroll through canyons and petroglyphs. It was absolutely gorgeous. 

The weather was really pleasant and none of the kids really minded this hike. We had Ellie in the backpacker but she was very willing to get out, sit down, and play in the sand. 

We saw a few petroglyphs here and all the kids like this "hike" fairly well. 

This hike was not strenuous, but it was two miles or so and by the time we finished the kids were all pretty worn out. 

Sunday we hiked the Cohab canyon trail. It was much more strenuous. It was beautiful and fantastic and well worth the hike. Liam spent the entire time shouting out that he did not want to go hiking and that his mom and dad were bad guys. Ian and Miles were troopers and hiked without hardly any complaining. Ellie did some hiking and then really wanted to be carried in the hiker most of the way. 

There were some phenomenal views out across Capitol Reef. 

Also (as you can see in this picture with me, Ian and Miles) I am the coolest funniest mom ever. 

The boys kept trying to rock climb, climb in the sand and explore all over. The little boys thought it was an adventure. Liam felt like it was torture. 

Matt and I took turns carrying Ellie in the hiker. Ellie especially enjoyed pulling on my hair.

The pictures don't do justice to the majestic scope of the canyons and formations. Every time I turned around it seems the boys had clambered up and into something. Ellie was never far behind. 

The views from the top were pretty spectacular. Ian is standing at the top here, but I don't think you get a really great perspective at the amazing scope and view of the canyons. By the end of the hike we were totally exhausted. We headed back into "town" for some very mediocre hamburgers and high sugar everything to make my corpse-like-body animate once more. 

After finally eating and resting we returned to view some of the historical sites like the blacksmith, 

school house and peach groves. 

There were a ton of deer that were grazing right next to one of the picnic tables. We had a great time watching them. Pretty soon we noticed a bunch of yellow bellied marmots frolicking all over. It was super cute. Ellie especially enjoyed all of the animal interactions. 

Before we headed home on Monday we did one last hike to the Hickman Bridge. It is an rock arch that is large and lovely. 

This hike was fairly strenuous but short. 

Liam suffered through this hike only because I promised him we would head home afterwards. 

Miles, Ian, and Ellie remained enthusiastic. 

Here you can see us posing under the arch. It was pretty amazing. 

Finally we loaded up in the car only to get stuck in some of the worst southern Utah traffic ever. Instead of four hours to get home it took closer to six or seven. Ahhhh Utah roads. Still a fantastic hiking adventure that five of the six of us really enjoyed.