Deer Creek - Grand Canyon Day 2 and 3

We woke up and saw the mess we had left in the dark.  Wet suits and wet clothes draped all over.  But what a view.  It was beautiful all around us.  We filtered water and ate lots of food.  Then we headed down to the Colorado.  We got to leave our heavy packs for the short hike down to Deer Creek Falls.  It was spectacular.  The slot canyon down to the falls is sacred Indian ground.  

 

We couldn't stay and play in the water forever.  We packed up and filtered enough water to last us for 24 hours.  Water is heavy.  We planned to hike through Surprise Valley up to the flat white layer of rock and camp there.  It was so nice to have a trail.  The overcast sky was lovely!  We found abandoned gear and garbage and hauled that out.  We found a lovely camp sight and ran to watch the sun set.  We slept great.  It was windy all night.  A storm was coming in.  (It snowed in Salt Lake Area the next day!) 

When you stink and your socks stick up on their own its time to head out.  The hike out was straight up.  and then up some more.  and then you think your almost out and you go up more.  and more and more.  

But talking and being with friends... looking for shade, sharing snacks, and appreciating the views is priceless.  We made it out in record time.  Motivated by taking off our shoes we make it to the car!  It was a great trip.  

The main take away is ... I can empty my "bag" and refill it with what I feel is important to me.  

Deer Creek - Grand Canyon Day 1

We tried to do this Canyon in April but Covid hit and so we had to wait.  Now in October... here we go.  We started at Bill Hall Trailhead and headed down Middle Creek of Deer Creek.  We planned to do all the technical stuff on the first day.  Then hike to Deer Creek Falls at the Colorado on the second day.  Then after the falls we would hike half way out.  Then the third day we would hike out all the way.  

Sleeping at Laceys the night before...packing and dividing up gear.  

Fresh early start after a long drive down long bumpy roads.  Katie got us matching socks! It wasn't too bad going down.  Steep, but you could talk and your legs were fresh.  

After a long hike we made it to the middle fork.  It would be pretty to see water running down the canyon but since it was October and it hasn't rained for a while everything was really dry and the water was low.  

We did quite a bit with no wetsuits on . Just boulder hopping and some rappels.  Then it was time to suit up.  The water didn't seem to bad with the wetsuits on.  Lots of team work to make sure its safe.  We saved a tarantula from drowning.  Mid canyon the girls stopped to do a silly video which turned into a photo shoot too.  That hour cost us hiking out in the dark but it was fun.  

We finally thought we were about out so we took our wetsuits off.  Packed up all our rappelling gear... only to find another rappel right around the corner.  We had to do it in the dark.  Then 2 and a half hours later we stumbled into the campground.  Literally stumbling with fatigue but we made it.  We had just enough water to cook up two meals.  Then fell asleep.  Exhausted.  Boulder hopping in the pitch dark the last two hours had about killed us. 

 

Tyler!!! Mnt Bike Regional/State Champs

 Tyler got to race in Cedar City at Regionals.  Then two weeks later he qualified for State Championships in St. George.  Super proud of all his hard work.  I love these kids in the top picture.  Claire Larkin and Tate Larrabee.  Great neighbors and great friends.  The races are so fun to watch since you spend the whole day cheering on your kids and your friends kids!  Tyler wrapped up his Freshman year of racing at the top of his team.  

Cherry Canyon, Prince of Wales, and Mnt Olympus

 In preparation for my Grand Canyon trip I hiked a bunch.  We took the kids on a hike called Prince of Wales Mine. It would have been fun to go inside the mine but it was very securely closed off.  We saw snow though! Aho's and Harston's

We also hiked to the top of Mnt Olympus. I love talking and walking.  The views were lovely.  Cloudy and then cleared up.  Dowland and Aho

One day we didn't have enough time to do much so we just went up Cherry Canyon here in Corner Canyon.  Lovely leaves... steep.  Parr and Aho.