Family Backpacking Trip to Ashdown Gorge

 I was so excited about this trip. I had gone on a ladies backpacking trip a few weeks before down this trail and wanted to take my family. We planned carefully to make sure we could go the 12 miles and carry our sleeping bags too! My friend Janet and her daughter went with us. At first the kids complained about how to wear the backpack and buckling it up around the chest and waist, but they learned quickly that it truly was the best way. We ended up hiking the last half hour of the first day in the dark to our campsite, which Janet wasn't happy about, but it ended up being amazing! The weather was perfect and there was a full moon that made it so beautiful. Setting up camp was fine with moon light and we sure appreciated our fire.
The first day we did 4 miles and then we did 8 mostly in the slot canyon and stream. The kids didn't hardly notice their packs as they splashed through the river bed. We loved it and want to go up from the bottom for a day hike to play in the stream and waterfalls next summer.

 Side trail to the waterfalls

 Flannigans Arch

Timpanogos Caves

 This was my Christmas present a couple years ago. We all picked places to go or things to do for Christmas and we finally got to mine! It worked out perfectly. The weather was great, the ranger gave a great tour and the kids did awesome! It was funny, or aggravating, to hear our kids tell each other how to hike safe and taking turns rolling their eyes or saying "I know!" to each other. Kevin calmed me down and reminded me that we were raising leaders. Apparently, we are being successful.