Annual Torrey Trip '10

This year, we invited our friends Millie, Casey, and their three kids which are about the same ages as our three kids. We showed them all of our favorite places which I want repeat here, but we did try a few new things, or at least things I haven't done in a while.

After camping and fishing at Posy Lake (skunked -- again!), we took the Hell's Backbone road into Boulder. This road has been high on my list for some time and it didn't disappoint. The view from the bridge is spellbinding:


Other highlights for me included a return to Tantalus Flats. This is a 30+ mountain bike ride starting at 9000 feet on the flank of Boulder Mountain and ending in the low desert near Fruita in Capitol Reef. It's been nearly 15 years since I did this ride, and I didn't remember a whole lot of it.





It was nice to have Casey along. For one reason, no stinking timer shots!






Above: Zoe on the bridge over the Fremont River in Fruita.

The Sulfur Creek hike in Capitol Reef is something else I haven't done in years. This hike is tailor-made for kids. Deep, beautiful canyon, clear flowing water, swimming holes, water falls, narrow slots, cascades, swimming lizards, water slides, it has it all! There are a couple of tricky spots where you'll have to pass kids down over some minor obstacles, but it's mostly just walking in a nice stream beds.

























It was an awesome trip. Although Capitol Reef was as busy as I'd ever seen. When we climbed down to Fruita Falls, there must have been 50-60 people down there! I'm thinking next year, we'll go later in the fall when it's less crowded and the colors on Boulder and Fish Lake Mountains are popping.