Hiking Hidden Pinyon Trail and Overlook

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On Friday the kids and I had another day to kill while Adam was working and because we loved our hike so much to Johnson canyon the day before we decided to go to Snow Canyon to try out some more hikes.  And from what we read online and from the workers at the entrance to the park, Hidden Pinyon was a favorite! So it was the first on our list.  We could see why it was so popular too, because it had pretty much everything.  Tight little canyons, a beautiful overlook, petrified dunes, sandy areas, and amazing sights everywhere you looked.  We once again were just in heaven being out in nature!

Because we left in the morning this time, however, it was WAY colder than the temperatures we’d experienced the day before, so coats were a must!  But by the time we finished our hike, we were all ready to shed off our winter gear.  Its amazing how much the sun can warm up a place in a couple of hours! 🙂

At the trail head for Hidden Pinyon.

I seriously think God made creations like Moab/Snow Canyon/Zions for boys!  Branson, Harry, and Dawson were absolutely in heaven getting to climb on all these rocks and boulders and getting to explore the area.  A great day for us all!  

Adalynn had a bit of a rough time on the hikes and at one point she refused to walk (and take my hand) and would only be carried.  I’d been carrying her for some time and my arms were really tired (we forgot our childs backpack) and I asked her to walk for a bit so my arms could rest. She flat out refused though and dropped to the ground and would not move.  I could tell she was testing me to see what I’d do (if I’d give in and carry her again), and so I told her that we were going to keep hiking and that she could come join us when she was ready.  She held her ground though and stayed put watching us closely for sometime as we continued hiking but eventually realized we were serious (I kept peeking to see if she was coming yet or not) and eventually she got up and continued walking.  Yeah! Power struggle won!  And she did end up being a great little hiker for the most part!  I was very impressed – although she did start having meltdowns when it got close to nap time.  Poor tired girl.   

This little fella also had a few challenges of his one.  One being a fight he had with a cactus plant!  He unfortunately FACE PLANTED right into one when he lost his balance, but got super lucky in the way that almost all of the spikes hit his JACKET and not his skin.  The picture below shows just SOME of the spikes that ended up on his jacket.  Most I had taken out by the time I took the picture.  Poor fella.  He and I both ended up with a few pokeys in our fingers though trying to get the darn things out.  đŸ™

If you look closely you can see the boys on top of the middle big formation.  That is where they wanted to go and have their lunch.  I was just glad they didn’t try to get to the highest point! 🙂

This picture cracks me up because Adalynn is having another melt down.  I love how it captures her sassy little girl attitude when she doesn’t get her way.  She’s even adorable when she’s mad! 

 We made it!  Here we are at the overlook. 

Harry and Dawson holding hands on the way back to the car as hiking buddies.  

After out hike we decided to drive up through the park a little more to see the crater that was left by the volcano over 22,000 years ago.  I couldn’t believe such a little volcano could cause so much volcanic rock and fields so very far away.  It was mind boggling to think about but very cool as well.  The kids loved seeing their first volcano.

I also loved how diverse the park was.  From its sandy dunes, to its red rocks and formations, to its white sand mountains, and lava fields, canyons, and caves.  There was so much to explore and do and incredible views at every turn.  Snow Canyon truly is a work of art!

We ended our day at the park by stopping by the Sand Dunes to let the kids play!  They LOVED this part and said it was their favorite part of the day – which surprised me because they really loved climbing the rocks.  They all made sand “volcano’s” though and then would dig and get wet red sand and sprinkle it over their volcanos and pretend it was lava.  It was fun to watch their creative play and to see the joy that playing gave them.  Sure do love these kids of mine!

Another great day spent out in Nature!  Doesn’t get too much better than that! 🙂

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