Our spring break story…
I took the kids backpacking into Coyote Gulch in Escalante Utah, one of the most beautiful places on earth, a spot I’ve been backpacking before- but not the kids, not yet at least.
We joined some friends and went into the canyon through ‘Crack in the Wall’, a new entry point for me. It took some lowering of backpacks with ropes and then shimmying through a narrow gap to get down to the canyon floor.
Beginning with Stevens Arch (I believe) there are beautiful arches every few miles, one of the spectacular features of this hike.
Jug Handle Arch
Jacob Hamblin Arch, the most famous of the Coyote Gulch line up.
Ohh and a natural bridge too.
The Escalante River meanders it’s way through the canyon, cascading over waterfalls.
The leaves were out on the Aspen trees and buds appeared on the other foliage. We were about a month too early to see all the desert flowers in bloom.
And a bit early for swimming, only about 70 degrees (air temp) for a high. We enjoyed the waterfalls from a distance, with just our feet in the water.
Ahh… sleeping in the sand, great for kids and the weary Ambien induced traveler. The star gazing was phenomenal with moon light casting shadows on the cliff walls.
Backpacking breakfast of champions- hot chocolate and oatmeal, on a rock shelf table.
Rock shelf table (1st night) better than sandy floor/tiny rock table (2nd night). But it’s-all-good, just happy to be camping along side a beautiful arch.
Teens, all in a row, heading back across the slick rock after a fantastic few days in the great red rock outdoors.
So, now it’s back to real life and work and lots of sand covered laundry. But we’ve got a head full of magical memories we’ll never forget!