After our hike up to the Pioneers name and Arch, Mum and Smurf as well as Dawson and Adalynn were showing signs of wear, so we sent the oldest and the youngest in our group back to the condo for naps. đ This meant that the rest of us were free to do some REAL exploring and hiking and do some more difficult and longer hikes. We decided on Butterfly trail which would allow us to see both the petrified dunes, as well as the Lava Tubes and caves and a lookout point of the canyon. We were excited! So off we went.
Before heading home though, Mum and Smurf and our two youngest took a drive through the canyon and snatched a few pretty pictures. I’ve included those as well in the post below. Great photos Smurf! đ
The first part of our hike was through the petrified dunes. We all loved this part and loved how it felt like you were stepping on God’s homemade stairs to climb the mountain! So cool.
Next we headed into the Lava Flow Tubes that often times went way deeper into the ground then met the eye. This one went down another 30 feet or so.
Hard to see, and a bit cramped but this lava tube went back another 10+ feet.
We captured some beautiful shots of the mountains while we hiked.
Then we hit the big Kahuna of Lava Tubes when we found this baby! This one was amazing and went probably 100 feet back and required head lamps and flash lights. Thank goodness we had thought to bring 1 headlamp, and then Adam used his phone to help with light as well. He and Brans shared one light while Harry and I shared the other. Worked out perfectly.
The final highlight of the hike was climbing to the top of the petrified dunes Adam is standing on. At first it looked like it was going to be a hard hike, but as you started going around the dunes, you realized there were less steep places to go up. The boys scaled this baby in less than 3 minutes! And then went back down the dunes only to climb back up for a family picture! (which unfortunately isn’t in this post because my camera battery died) We may have to wait for Adam to download the pictures on his phone for that one. đ
Here is a panorama Adam took with me at the top of the Dunes! It was an awesome view!
A view of the the other side of the canyon.
Me and my Lover butt at the top! Love this man!
As the kids would say “King of the World!” (or Queen in my case). Sure feels like it when you are surrounded by such amazing beauty! How blessed we are to live in such a beautiful part of the world.
