Our next 2 days of the trip were spent in Zion National Park! We didn't get up before the sun, so by the time we got to the park, but parking lot was already pretty full, and there was a sign that said that Angel's Landing was closed, so we decided to go to the Zion Mt. Carmel Tunnel and hike around the east side of the park instead of battling the crowds in the canyon.
We stopped at a little pull out at the side of the road and walked down into a dry creek bed and followed it uphill. It led to some small canyons and some other places to explore.
There was a tunnel under the roadway that was fun to explore. I think we had the kids convinced that it was a natural tunnel!
There was one place that was a steep uphill that we decided to test the kids to see who could make it all the way up on the grippy sandstone. Everyone who tried made it - and were rewarded with a nice view.
We eventually made it to another larger pull out where I think there was more of an official hike, and we climbed around for a while, eventually settling on a place for lunch.
Some of the kids found their own table rock.
We had so much fun reconnecting with Ryan and Jessica and exploring around the area with them and their kids.
At one point, the Ryan started stacking some rocks and the kids and Jared (pretty much everyone but the moms!) joined in making cairns.
Afterwards, when we asked our kids their favorite hike, almost all of them said this very random walk we took in the creek bed!
Our next hike was to the viewpoint overlooking the Zion - Mount Carmel tunnel and windy road. The views from there are AMAZING! The colors of the skies against the rocks were just brilliant.
Day 2, we decided to go to hike in Kolob Canyon. We were treated to another gorgeous, blue sky day. It was a little colder since Kolob is at a higher altitude, but it felt very comfortable to hike.
It was all of our first time to Kolob. The trail was not very crowded at all and as we hiked further into the canyon, there was an increasing amount of snow. The contrasting colors, with the deep blue sky, bright orange rocks, green pine trees, and white snow, were spectacular!
We had a great time hiking again, mixing up groups with the Smiths and chatting all the way up.
We eventually made it to a few areas where the snow got pretty slick, so the dads took the older group of kids up to the end, which ended in a large amphitheater. As we were leaving, a few people came wearing shoe grips... those would have been nice a few times!
It was quiet and beautiful at the end of the trail.
On the way back, some of the downhills were pretty slippery, so we sometimes took an alternative faster (and more funny) route on our rear ends!
The kids were all great hikers, even as we encountered mud near the end due to the warming day melting the ice.
After, we took a little drive for another vista. This area of the park is a hidden treasure, for sure!
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