Escalante Zebra and Tunnel

After hiking in the heat for 6.3 miles no one wanted to attempt another hike...6.8 miles in the heat.. the second day.  I was able to convince a few fun people to come with me at 5:00 AM to hike in and out.  They were full of energy and so we zipped along.  (My girls were amazing and stayed back at the campground and cleaned up.)  Zebra Canyon was spectacular.  I am so glad I got to see it.  Both canyons are so short.  Its the approach that is long.  Zebra canyon was so skinny you couldn't even fit through it.  You had to stem the walls.

I absolutely loved the Moki Rocks- They were amazing.
Moqui marbles (sometimes spelled Moki) are also known by collectors by many other names—Navajo cherries, Navajo berries, Kayenta berries, Entrada berries, Hopi marbles, Moqui balls, or Shaman stones. Geologists call them iron concretions.

We hiked back over to Tunnel canyon.  Short and sweet.  Nothing outstanding but fun to see.  Top is pretty much shut and the bottom is wider.  We didn't have any water in it like it usually does.  

We wanted to stick together as a family and since some people hadn't done the Escalante Natural Bridges we headed back there.  I took some kids and explored the other way.  I was hoping to find some swim holes but no luck.  We did see some old homes up in the red rocks.

One the way home my parents, the Thomas's and my crew stopped in at Willis Creek near Bryce.  There wasn't much water at this time of year.  We were all hot and tired so we only went in a mile or two.

Escalante- Peeka boo and Spooky

Harston Family - Day one- Escalante- It was under 100 degrees so we shouldn't be complaining but it was hot and not a lot of shade and exposed.  I had wanted to do Peek a boo and Spooky Gulch for years.  I was so excited to get it done!  It is 6.3 miles hike round trip.  We started a little later then I had hoped for and it was only 26 miles of dirt road but that really did take us an hour to drive.  We descended down into the valley knowing that every step we went down we would have to come up in the heat.  The description says if you can make it up the first slot wall then you can make it the rest of the way.  A couple kids scampered up and we lowered a hand line for everyone else.  It was a 20 foot climb to get up into the canyon.  I love seeing people be excited about new things.  It was great to have my parents there to squeeze in and out of some tight spaces.  We squoze into the one shady tree at the top of Peekaboo to eat and rest.  Then headed over to Spooky.  

Getting out of the canyon was hot.  There was just no other way around it.  Honey's little paws were burning.  Eric carried her out - act of love.  Some of the older boys carried out the little boys.  We all made it. Grandpa treated everyone to a snow cone in the shade when we were done.

We were so lucky to come across a park with a pavilion to eat our late lunch.  Then some local kids came and showed us how to turn on the splash pad.  We all needed a rest after so much heat.  Then we headed to the Reservoir.  We found a great sandy spot and the kids were in the water.  It was a lovely night- I just wish we could have stayed a little longer.  

While we were gone Darren hiked Enniss Peak here in our backyard.  One day I will get to it also! 

One day I will make it back to Escalante and do these last few things...

singing canyon Devils garden- play on rocks Egypt canyon 1,2,3

Harstons in Escalante

On Sunday we drove down to Escalante.  We listened to Harry Potter the whole way there so the drive flew by for me.  We arrived at our campsite and were relieved to see it had the smallest amount of shade.  It was better than no shade like everyone else.  Once Jennys tent was up we headed out to a nice hike and the cool water.  The Escalante Natural Bridges were beautiful.  2 miles in and 2 out.  Crossing the river several times.  The arch was lovely.  The ruins were really neat. The writing on the walls were spectacular.  

Rachel and Ely @ the Cabin

Rachel and Ely drove down from Seattle.  They had planned on hiking R2R of the Grand Canyon.  Candaces family, Jennys family and Grandma were going to hike it with them.  The littles and Grandpa intended to drive around and meet them at the south rim.  Well, there was a fire down there and things got closed up so we made other plans.  First we went to the cabin.  We celebrated Gpas bday with ice cream and cake.  Jenny, Eric and Jared hiked a mile straight up the mountain.  So much elevation gain in just one mile.  

One day we went to the Reservoir.  Renees family was still quarantined but they came up and had their boats by us ... just not next to us.

Jordan edited a play and made it fit our family.  The kids practiced it for two days and then performed for us.  So well done.  I was totally impressed.  

Some of us made it out on a mnt bike ride at High Star Ranch.  Its so fun to see Tyler growing up and having a cool biker Dad who teaches him fun stuff.  

We only stayed two days at the cabin.  We had to make it home to pack up for Escalante.  But after Escalante we did make it back to Gpas pool to swim and have ice cream and watermelon.