Utah Adventures

We have really been enjoying our summer in Utah.  Here are some highlights so far.

3 generations of Escalante men

We discovered that Dominic loves water slides!

Dominic driving the RZR with Grandma and Grandpa Harper

Michael and I on a beautiful ride up American Fork Canyon

The view from our destination

Dominic loves driving everything from off-road vehicles to....

...Ducati's with steez

Dominic giving Papa a massage...

followed by Cuddles

We have all been loving time at the swimming pool

We had the opportunity to go backpacking in Escalante with some old friends and had an absolutely wonderful trip!  Dominic enjoyed his first trip to the desert.

Tunnel Canyon

Tunnel Canyon

Tunnel Canyon

Tunnel Canyon

Tunnel Canyon

Next we headed to Zebra Canyon.  I was super psyched to see this canyon because I had heard that it is one of the most picturesque (non-technical) canyons in all of Escalante.

Zebra Canyon

Zebra Canyon

Zebra Canyon

Zebra Canyon

Zebra Canyon

Zebra Canyon

Zebra Canyon lookin' like a Zebra

Zebra Canyon

Zebra Canyon

The gang in Zebra Canyon (minus Michael who took the photo)

After finishing Tunnel and Zebra Canyons, we hopped in the cars and headed to our next destination: Peek-a-boo and Spooky Canyons.  We ended up getting a little side tracked and did an additional canyon on our way.

Dry Fork Canyon

Above Dry Fork Canyon

Peek-a-boo Canyon

I heart you. (Peek-a-boo Canyon.)

Spooky Canyon

Spooky Canyon is very narrow so we had to take Dominic out of his backpack so I could carry him on my shoulders.  Even then, we barely fit.

Spooky Canyon

Spooky Canyon

Spooky Canyon

After a full day of hiking, 5 slot canyons and about 10 miles later, we set up camp for the night.  The next morning we started into Coyote Gulch.

Overlooking Coyote Gulch from Crack in the Wall (anyone who has hiked up and out of Crack in the Wall will understand why we decided to go down and use this as our entrance)

At the top of Crack in the Wall

Lovely flowers growing in the middle of the scorching hot sand where it seemed nothing could thrive.
Steven's arch in the distance

Coyote Gulch

Coyote Gulch

Coyote Gulch: Beautiful painted cliffs

Coyote Gulch (we all jumped off that big cliff on the right into the pond)

Coyote Gulch: the approach to the top of the cliff was quite difficult, the rock was very steep and slick.   Pictured here is me reinforcing Jeff's feet, who was reinforcing the Annalisa's feet as she climbed to the top.

Coyote Gulch: Coyote Natural Bridge

Coyote Gulch: tuckered

Coyote Gulch: serenading us all under the beautiful arch

Coyote Gulch: We exited the canyon at Jacob Hamblin Arch.  Again, it was a very steep climb out: this time with our backpacks on.

We had such a great trip to Escalante!  We are so grateful for good friends and good health that allowed us to embark on this amazing adventure.  There are more great pics to come, but I'll get those posted soon!